A Guide To Medik8's Crystal Retinal Serums
Clinically proven to provide amazing age-defying results, Medik8's Crystal Retinal is a bestseller for a reason. Formulated with innovative and groundbreaking technology, this cashmere-textured serum is proven to visibly resurface and brighten the skin for a more youthful-looking complexion, so that you can 'go from before to after. 11 times faster'.*
As a B Corp certified, British skincare brand, Medik8 has earned global acclaim for its effective, age-defying products. The brand's simple yet powerful CSA Philosophy® combines vitamin C, sunscreen, and vitamin A to target the root causes of skin ageing, delivering visible results.
But, at what age do you start using retinal, and how do you incorporate it into your skincare routine? Keep reading to discover our ultimate guide to Medik8's Crystal Retinal, along with some expert advice from our Customer Sales & Skin Advisor, Jessica, so that you can have visibly firmer, smoother, and 'beautiful skin for life.'
1. Medik8 Crystal Retinal
Experience the anti-ageing powers of Medik8's iconic, award-winning Age-Defying Vitamin A Night Serum Crystal Retinal Serums. Winnerer of 12 Global beauty awards, this nourishing serum visibly brightens and resurfaces the skin for a more youthful, healthy complexion. Unlike other formulations, Crystal Retinal is encapsulated in a patented crystal structure and housed in an airless tube, enhancing stability until the very last drop. With 5 progressive strengths to choose from, when your skin needs more, Crystal Retinal will do more. There's an option for every level of Vitamin A user, allowing you to steadily and safely increase your results.
Revealing younger-looking skin with just one tube, this iconic vitamin A night serum contains next-generation retinAL (not retinol) which is clinically proven to act 11x faster than retinol,* to visibly smooth, brighten and firm skin.
*G. Siegenthaler et al., Retinol and retinal metabolism, Biochemical Journal, 1990, 268, pp 371-378
2. What is the difference between retinal and retinol?
Retinal (retinaldehyde) is a completely different form of a Vitamin A molecule to retinol, so don't be mistaken that it is a misspelling of retinol! Retinal is 11x faster than retinol, and this impressive molecule elevates the skin's overnight reparative cycle, boosting collagen production and infusing the skin with a healthy radiance.
Vitamin A is praised for being the gold-star anti-ageing ingredient. This incredibly powerful molecule has a multitude of benefits for the skin and it resurfaces, enhances collagen production, fades fine lines and wrinkles, reduces blemishes, and brightens.
On the other hand, retinal it is very difficult to stabilise, and that's why you won't find it in many other brand's products. Medik8's Retinal formula includes a crystal-shaped encapsulation system, which breaks down on contact with the skin to slowly feed it overtime, avoiding any of the common side effects associated with Vitamin A such as flaking and redness. Medik8's Crystal Retinal formulations are the closest thing to prescription-strength retinoic acid, the biologically active form on the skin.
3. How and when should you begin using retinal?
'When first starting out and adding it into your routine, they need to be slowly introduced for use in the evening only, and initially only every 3rd night for the first 2 weeks, then to every other night, eventually working up to every evening once the skin becomes acclimatised'. - Jessica
4. What age should you start using retinal?
'You can start using them from your early 20’s for those looking to prevent signs of aging, or for a breakout prone problem skin'. - Jessica
5. What strength should you start with and are they suited to sensitive skin?
'For very sensitive skin types is it best to start on Crystal Retinal 1, but most users would be fine to start on Crystal Retinal 3 as long as slow introduction is followed. They're great for a sensitive skin type due to the different strengths allowing the skin to acclimatise. Also, as it is encapsulated it has a very minimal chance of causing a response due to the slow release. With the Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Vitamin E it is super nourishing and hydrating to the skin'. - Jessica
6. What products should/shouldn't you use it with?
While using the retinal you cannot use any other acid exfoliator alongside it. So, for instance avoid Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid as this can be too stripping and can sensitise the skin'. - Jessica
Discover Medik8's Crystal Retinals
For sensitive skin: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1
This award-winning age-defying vitamin A night serum is ideal for those who have sensitive skin and are looking to incorporate a low-strength but highly effective Vitamin A serum into their regime. The serum harnesses the power of retinal, not retinol, for results that are 11 times faster*. This clinically proven formula visibly smooths, brightens, and firms your skin without irritation.
The patented stability system ensures maximum potency, drop by drop, while the advanced encapsulation technology delivers gentle yet powerful results, even for sensitive skin. Trusted by professionals and dermatologists worldwide, Crystal Retinal offers a range of five progressive strengths (0.01 - 0.2% retinaldehyde) to target even the most stubborn fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. Experience younger-looking skin with just one tube.
For those new to Vitamin A: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3
The perfect entry-level product for those new to Vitamin A or have tried mild retinol formulas. Formulated with 0.3% Retinaldehyde, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin E, this anti-ageing serum renews and resurfaces the skin, clears blemishes and bacteria, and visibly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
For experienced vitamin A users: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
Perfect for those who want to upgrade their high-strength retinal results. Formulated with 0.6% Retinaldehyde this renewing serum contains Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E to promote the skin's natural collagen production, increase cell turnover, and promote a smoother, brighter, and healthier complexion with reduced fine lines and wrinkles.
For those wanting to boost results of retinal 6: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10
This high-performance and high-strength retinal is ideal for those wanting to take their results one step further. Formulated with 0.10% Retinaldehyde, this high-strength serum is perfect for when your skin is more acclimatised to retinal, and is blended with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E to leave the skin feeling hydrated and resurfaced, while visibly improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Shop The Post This groundbreaking cream-serum uses a powerful retinaldehyde formula to dramatically improve the visible signs of ageing. This groundbreaking cream-serum uses a powerful retinaldehyde formula to dramatically improve the visible signs of ageing. This groundbreaking cream-serum uses a powerful retinaldehyde formula to dramatically improve the visible signs of ageing. Using a powerful 0.1% Retinaldehyde formula, this ground-breaking cream-serum works to dramatically improve and prevent the signs of ageing.
Image by lookStudio on Freepik.
*Clinically proven.
