Side-by-side comparison

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Both are serums. They share a 66% active-ingredient overlap, so the real decision is about price, texture and the supporting ingredients. Here's the side-by-side.

66%Active overlap
Medik8
Crystal Retinal 6
SerumLuxuryEvening only
Fine LinesPhotoaging PreventionRough Texture

A stabilised retinaldehyde serum (0.06%) with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, sitting between retinol and prescription tretinoin in strength. Faster-acting than retinol with good tolerability; part of a tiered ladder you climb gradually.

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The Inkey List
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
SerumBudgetMorning or evening
DehydrationDrynessDullness

A multi-weight hyaluronic acid serum with vitamin B5 for layered hydration. A no-frills, affordable HA serum; apply to damp skin and seal with moisturiser to avoid the dryness HA can cause in low humidity.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

On price, the The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum sits in the Budget tier versus Luxury for the Medik8 — so it's the more budget-led pick if the overlap is what you're after. On how you'd use them, the Medik8 is flagged Evening only while the The Inkey List is flagged Morning or evening. The Medik8 leans toward Fine Lines, Photoaging Prevention, Rough Texture. The The Inkey List leans toward Dehydration, Dryness, Dullness.

The overlap

What they share

At 66% active overlap, these are the ingredients doing comparable work in both formulas:

Hyaluronic Acid
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

Medik8 — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Glycerin~5–25%
  • Caprylic/Capric…~3–10%
  • Dimethicone~2–6%
  • Retinal~1.5–4%

The Inkey List — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Glycerin~5–25%
  • Sodium Hyaluron…~3–10%
  • Hydrolyzed Hyal…~2–6%
  • Sodium Hyaluron…~1.5–4%
  • Panthenol~1–2%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

Medik8The Inkey List
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierLuxuryBudget
Best forFine Lines, Photoaging Prevention, Rough TextureDehydration, Dryness, Dullness
Usage notesEvening onlyMorning or evening
Active overlap66% — Hyaluronic Acid
Questions

Common questions

Is the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or the The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum better?
Neither is universally better — they share 66% active-ingredient overlap, so for the actives that drive results they're close. The The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum is the more budget-friendly option, while the other may differ on texture, finish and supporting ingredients. Pick based on your skin's priorities rather than a single 'winner'.
What's the difference between the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and the The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum?
Both are serums that share Hyaluronic Acid. Where they differ: they sit in different price tiers (Luxury vs Budget); the Medik8 is Evening only; the The Inkey List is Morning or evening; the Medik8 targets Fine Lines, Photoaging Prevention; the The Inkey List targets Dehydration, Dryness.
Are the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum dupes for each other?
They share 66% active-ingredient overlap based on published INCI lists, so one can stand in for the other on the actives that matter — chiefly Hyaluronic Acid. A dupe matches the hero actives, not the full sensory experience, so expect differences in texture, fragrance and exact concentrations.
Can I use the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum together?
They both fill the serum slot in a routine, so you'd normally pick one rather than layer both. If you want to use both, treat one as your daytime option and the other for evening, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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99% overlap

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