Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 vs Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal

Save £32.47 with the Korean alternative. Here’s how close it really is.

Similar job. Does the same job, but with different or milder key ingredients.

The original

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

£50.00

30ml · £16.67 per 10ml
Space NK, RRP

Retinal (0.03%)

The K-beauty alternative

Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal

£17.53

30ml · £4.18 per 10ml
delivered, from Jolse

Retinal
Ginseng

What’s the same

Both use retinal, the faster-working form of vitamin A, at a gentle, beginner-friendly strength. Both are for night-time use.

What’s different

Medik8 has 0.03% retinal in a face serum, with the brand’s stability technology. Beauty of Joseon has about 0.02% retinal in liposomes, with ginseng, and is made for around the eyes, though many people use it on the face too.

Our take: A strong budget alternative if you want to try retinal. Medik8 offers a clear path up through stronger versions, which Beauty of Joseon doesn’t. See our UK vs Korea retinoid comparison for more options.

Compare prices for the K-beauty alternative

Sources

Original prices are the recommended retail price at the shop named, checked 31 October 2026. They’re often discounted, and many UK beauty shops deliver free over £25. K-beauty prices include delivery for buying one item, checked 28 October 2026. Some links may earn us a commission, which never changes our verdicts. How we check