Which is better for beginners — Medik8 or The Ordinary?

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. Gentler molecule, lower active concentration, and substantially less irritation in our retinol-naive testing panel.

Not on the same night. Both target the same retinoid receptors and using both at once provides no additional benefit while substantially increasing irritation risk. Pick one and stay on it for at least 8 weeks before re-evaluating.

Why is Medik8 so much more expensive?

Two factors: (1) the encapsulation system that slow-releases retinaldehyde is more expensive to formulate than a standard retinoid solution, and (2) Medik8 sits in a clinical-aesthetics retail tier where pricing is set against the prestige tier rather than the budget tier.

Will The Ordinary at $15 actually work?

Yes — over a longer time horizon than Medik8. Granactive retinoid drives visible change at 10–14 weeks of consistent use. The active is real and the formulation is credible. The lower price reflects The Ordinary's parent company's vertical integration, not lower formulation quality.

Should I use either product around my eyes?

Both can be used around the eye area but with caution. Apply a smaller pea-sized amount, avoid the immediate orbital rim, and follow with a gentle eye cream. Stop if any irritation appears.

Medik8 vs The Ordinary retinol.

The two retinol products most often cross-shopped in Australia in 2026 sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum. Both deserve their reputations. The choice between them is mostly a question of where you are in your retinol journey and how much you're willing to pay.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion are the two retinol products most consistently recommended by Australian skincare editors and dermatologists. They use different molecules, sit at different price points, and suit different stages of the retinol-user journey.

Crystal Retinal uses encapsulated retinaldehyde — one biological conversion step away from retinoic acid, the active form. The Ordinary uses Granactive Retinoid (hydroxypinacolone retinoate), a next-generation retinoid that converts to retinoic acid at the skin without the typical retinol-irritation curve.

Head-to-head.

Criterion	Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6	The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2%	Winner
Active molecule	Encapsulated retinaldehyde	Granactive retinoid (hydroxypinacolone retinoate)	Tie (different mechanisms)
Concentration	0.06% retinaldehyde (Crystal Retinal 6)	2% granactive retinoid	Not directly comparable
Price	$95 (15ml)	$15 (30ml)	The Ordinary
Per-ml pricing	$6.30/ml	$0.50/ml	The Ordinary by ~12×
Potency	More potent — faster visible change	Gentler — slower visible change	Medik8
Time to visible result	6–8 weeks	10–14 weeks	Medik8
Tolerance / irritation risk	Encapsulation mitigates but not eliminates	Specifically formulated to bypass retinoid irritation	The Ordinary
Best for retinol-naive users	Possible with careful introduction	The standard starter product	The Ordinary
Best for established retinol users	The clinical-tier step-up	Already in the routine	Medik8
Australian availability	Adore Beauty + dermatology clinics	Adore Beauty + Priceline + The Ordinary direct	The Ordinary

Pick by.

Retinol-naive user: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. Gentlest entry point. Run for 8–12 weeks before evaluating.
Tolerated 6+ weeks of OTC retinol: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6. The clinical-tier step-up that delivers faster visible change.
Sensitive skin: The Ordinary. The granactive retinoid molecule was specifically developed to bypass the typical retinol-irritation curve.
Maximum result, willing to manage tolerance: Medik8. Higher potency drives faster visible change in 6–8 weeks.
Budget priority: The Ordinary. ~12× cheaper per ml at comparable bottle volumes.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Neither. All retinoids are contraindicated. Use peptides as the alternative.

Frequently asked questions.

Which is better for beginners — Medik8 or The Ordinary?: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. Gentler molecule, lower active concentration, and substantially less irritation in our retinol-naive testing panel.
Can I use both?: Not on the same night. Both target the same retinoid receptors and using both at once provides no additional benefit while substantially increasing irritation risk. Pick one and stay on it for at least 8 weeks before re-evaluating.
Why is Medik8 so much more expensive?: Two factors: (1) the encapsulation system that slow-releases retinaldehyde is more expensive to formulate than a standard retinoid solution, and (2) Medik8 sits in a clinical-aesthetics retail tier where pricing is set against the prestige tier rather than the budget tier.
Will The Ordinary at $15 actually work?: Yes — over a longer time horizon than Medik8. Granactive retinoid drives visible change at 10–14 weeks of consistent use. The active is real and the formulation is credible. The lower price reflects The Ordinary's parent company's vertical integration, not lower formulation quality.
Should I use either product around my eyes?: Both can be used around the eye area but with caution. Apply a smaller pea-sized amount, avoid the immediate orbital rim, and follow with a gentle eye cream. Stop if any irritation appears.