Works for
Anti-agingTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Acetyl glucosamine + 3 moreWorks well
“Delivered in a non-greasy, lightweight gel-serum, this intelligent ingredient complex combines potent, stabilized, Vitamin C with restorative Phyto Exosomes for visible brightening, skin smoothing, and daily antioxidant defense.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl zingerone.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Acetyl glucosamine + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopherol + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (acetyl zingerone, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - camellia sinensis leaf also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Acetyl glucosamine, Isododecane + 5 moreWorks well
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: squalane, isododecane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Citrus grandis peel oil, Citral + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~7.8–9.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateIsododecane~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecanePropanediol~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAcetyl glucosamine~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosamineSqualane~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneTocopherol~1.8–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolAcetyl zingerone~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound sourced from ginger root. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It might be able to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve the skin tone. In small concentrations, used as a chelating agent and helps preserve stability of product formulations.
More about Acetyl zingeroneCamellia sinensis leaf~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Green tea leaf powder that might contain antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Camellia sinensis leafHydroxyacetophenone~1–1.2%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCellulose~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CelluloseAvena sativa kernel extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractGlycerin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerCitrus grandis peel oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus grandis peel oilSucrose stearate~0.45–0.65%
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateEthylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.6%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium benzoate~0.25–0.45%
Cellulose gum~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gum1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.4%
Polysorbate 60~0.25–0.45%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateCitric acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitral~0.05–0.1%
Linalool~0.05–0.1%
Limonene~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Isododecane, Propanediol, Acetyl glucosamine, Squalane, Tocopherol, Acetyl zingerone, Camellia sinensis leaf, Unknown, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium hyaluronate, Cellulose, Avena sativa kernel extract, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Citrus grandis peel oil, Sucrose stearate, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Xanthan gum, Sodium benzoate, Cellulose gum, 1,2-hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Linalool, Limonene
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Medik8C-TETRA ADVANCED GEL-SERUMYOUR PRODUCT | Be MinimalistTranexamic 03% | Youth To The PeopleSuperfood Firm + Brighten Serum | Jack BlackBrightening Booster Vitamin C Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 48% | 48% | 47% |
| Price | — | $11.99 | — | $38.25 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Vitamin C Power Serum
Product summary
"Medik8 - C-TETRA™ ADVANCED GEL-SERUM" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 0.45% - 0.65%, sodium hyaluronate 0.65% - 1.00% and acetyl glucosamine 2.50% - 3.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Medik8" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 70.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Incorporation of D-(^H)glucosamine into normal and psoriatic epidermal glycoconjugatesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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