Side-by-side comparison

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Both are serums. They share a 70% active-ingredient overlap, so the real decision is about price, texture and the supporting ingredients. Here's the side-by-side.

70%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.

Full analysis →Find dupes →
Vichy
Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
SerumMid-rangeMorning or evening
DrynessDamaged BarrierDullnessSensitive skin

89% Vichy mineralizing thermal water with hyaluronic acid in a light gel-serum. Not a heavy-hitting active product — it's a first-step hydrator. Comfortable under actives, useful for anyone finding fuller HA serums too tacky.

Full analysis →Find dupes →
The verdict

Which should you choose?

On price, the Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster sits in the Mid-range 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 Vichy is flagged Morning or evening. The Medik8 leans toward Fine Lines, Photoaging Prevention, Rough Texture. The Vichy leans toward Damaged Barrier, Dryness, Dullness.

The overlap

What they share

At 70% 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%

Vichy — top of the list

  • Vichy Minerali…~50–80%
  • Glycerin~5–25%
  • Propanediol~3–10%
  • PEG-6 Caprylic…~2–6%
  • Sodium Hyaluro…~1.5–4%

● 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

Medik8Vichy
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierLuxuryMid-range
Best forFine Lines, Photoaging Prevention, Rough TextureDryness, Damaged Barrier, Dullness
Usage notesEvening onlyMorning or evening
Active overlap70% — Hyaluronic Acid
Questions

Common questions

Is the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or the Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster better?
Neither is universally better — they share 70% active-ingredient overlap, so for the actives that drive results they're close. The Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster?
Both are serums that share Hyaluronic Acid. Where they differ: they sit in different price tiers (Luxury vs Mid-range); the Medik8 is Evening only; the Vichy is Morning or evening; the Medik8 targets Fine Lines, Photoaging Prevention; the Vichy targets Damaged Barrier, Dryness.
Are the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster dupes for each other?
They share 70% 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 Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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.
Keep comparing

Related comparisons

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
77% overlapHaruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
66% overlapMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil
66% overlapMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
66% overlapMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum
66% overlapHaruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Serum vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
77% overlap

Want a deeper, personalised read? Drop both products into the live comparison tool for an ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown tuned to your skin profile.

Compare these yourself →