I'm a beauty expert, here's why Medik8's Crystal Retinal should be in your skincare routine
Retinol is a highly recommended skincare ingredient that many professionals consider an absolute must. It's one of the most efficient ways for treating texture, pigmentation, pore size and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Want to incorporate retinol into your skincare routine but don't know where to begin? I'm here to help.
I've been using the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Stable Night Serum for over two years, and it's by far the best I've tried. It's both fast-acting and hydrating, and is quick to improve texture and combat hormonal acne, which are two of my biggest skincare concerns.
🛍️ Product reviewed: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Stable Night Serum
⏰ Tested it for: Two years
⭐ Rating: 5/5
💸 Reasons to buy: Minimal irritation, brightens, smooths and firms my acne-prone, sensitive skin
✋ Reasons to avoid: It's a luxury buy at £49, but is worth the investment
My skincare routine wouldn't be without Medik8's coveted Crystal Retinal. While I use strength 3 (which is good for beginners), there are numerous other strength variations, allowing you to boost the effectiveness over time.
Here’s why it’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about products among skincare aficionados and why it's absolutely worth the investment.
💸 Reasons to buy
For starters, you’ll most probably be used to seeing retinol serums in the shops, however Medik8 isn’t a retinol, it’s a retinal.
What’s the difference? Retinal (otherwise known as retinaldehyde) is a unique, next-generation vitamin A, which acts 11 times faster than standard retinol. Plus, unlike others on the market, Medik8’s patented retinal stability system ensures unmatched potency and effectiveness until the very last drop.
The key ingredients and what they do:
✨ Retinaldehyde (retinal for short) - Proven to work up to 11 times faster than standard retinol and is a revolutionary form of vitamin A that effectively targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin texture and loss of firmness
✨ Hyaluronic Acid - Draws moisture into the upper layers of the skin, leaving your complexion hydrated and visibly supple
✨ Vitamin E - A powerful antioxidant that provides additional protection against the ageing effects and helps boost the power of vitamin C for optimum visible results
✨ Glycerin - Traps moisture within the skin to leave it hydrated and comfortable
I love how it's fast-absorbing this cream-based serum is and it has a very gentle but inoffensive scent - two pumps is plenty to cover my whole face. Plus, out of the many retinol serums I've tried as a beauty journalist, this has caused the least amount of irritation.
Despite its brilliant benefits, the serum is not one you want to slather on your skin twice a day. Due to its potency, side effects such as temporary dryness and sensitivity can occur. I use it three times a week in my routine and occasionally there's a tiny bit of dry skin on my nose, but that's all.
It makes my rosacea, acne-prone, sensitive skin feel brighter, smoother and firmer. Plus, one tube will typically last me three to four months, so while it's an initial cost, in my eyes it's well worth it.
The brand offers its hugely popular Crystal Retinal in several strength variations: 1, 3, 6, 10, 20 and 24 (1 being the gentlest on the scale and 24 being the strongest). For beginners, number 1 or 3 are a great place to start if you've never used a retinol or retinal before or have sensitive skin. I use Retinal 3, which is the brand's most popular pick.
It's important to be patient, too, when first incorporating the product into your routine. You won't see any change in your skin overnight, instead it can take up to 12 weeks before you notice a result. Stick with it though and you won't be disappointed.
✋ Reasons to avoid
It's no doubt this is an expensive splurge, but while £45 is certainly an investment, I believe it's worth adding to your skincare regime.
And I'm not the only one, there are almost 3,000 five-star reviews on Medik8's website. One loyal customer said: "Overnight, I noticed my skin feeling smoother and looking brighter and more even-toned without the side effects of prescription retinoid. The visible results themselves are a statement of its efficacy: after using this for several months, the age spots on my cheek seem less pronounced and my pores are tiny. It’s truly been a game-changer for my skincare routine. Definitely worth the investment for noticeable anti-aging results."
It's worth noting that you should typically see an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles after around six weeks of continued use. So, it may take a while to see the results, you just have to persevere.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal is rarely on sale, but it's worth keeping an eye on various retailers such as John Lewis, Space NK and Lookfantastic, as well as Medik8's own website for any discounts. We'll keep this article updated and let you know when we find a deal worth shouting about.
Shop now: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Stable Retinal Night Serum | £49 from Medik8
Shop at Medik8 Shop at John Lewis Shop at LookFantastic Shop at Debenhams Shop at Space NK Shop at Cult Beauty Shop at Sephora
Medik8 is of course a luxury brand, but if you're looking to spend less, there are many other affordable retinols delivering promising results. Here's a handful we'd recommend trying.
The Inkey List is another one of my go-to's for affordable skincare and its retinol serum is a budget-friendly way to introduce this powerhouse ingredient into your routine. Also included in the lightweight formula is squalane, a hydrating, lightweight humectant that's suitable and soothing for all skin types.
CeraVe is a reliable brand for fuss-free skincare. Its retinol serum caters specifically to sensitive skin and is formulated to tackle acne marks, uneven skin tone and strengthen your skin barrier. I've tried it over a period of three months and have found the texture is like a gel moisturiser that's fast to absorb, contains no fragrance and leaves skin feeling silky smooth immediately after application. When the purse strings feel a bit tighter, this is a fantastic compromise without sacrificing results.
This retinol serum from Naturium uses bot retinol and a plant-derived retinol alternative to deliver radiance, improve texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines without causing irritation. Suitable for acne-prone, ageing and combination skin, it's one of the most highly-rated retinols on the market. It has a very thin, watery texture, so a little can go a long way, but it leaves behind no tackiness or greasy feeling.
