PRODUCT REVIEW
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10
Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-blemish
- Anti-aging
- Moisturizing
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Can it cause trouble?
Buy from Amazon US $55.00
More options from: $55.00
Price as of 6/30/2025 16:10 GMT.
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What can the product work for?
Works for
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
The formula helps to eliminate bacteria to help prevent future breakouts whilst infusing the complexion with a radiant, healthy-looking glow.
retinal
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
melia azadirachta leaf extract
0.45% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Enriched with a blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Vitamin E, the serum replenishes high levels of moisture to the skin to create a plumped texture and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
retinal
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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.
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Visibly improves lines and wrinkles, sun damage and uneven skin tone .
retinal
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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.
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Enriched with a blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Vitamin E, the serum replenishes high levels of moisture to the skin to create a plumped texture and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
glycerin
4.2% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
sodium hyaluronate
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
squalane
0.55% -
0.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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.
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
93/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
eclipta prostrata extract
1.4% -
1.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
melia azadirachta leaf extract
0.45% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Antibacterial,
Anti-blemish
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
1.3% -
1.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
User reviews (0)
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
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MEDIUM
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HIGH
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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HIGH
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LOW
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MEDIUM
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HIGH
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HIGH
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinal
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Show more
Potential irritants
eclipta prostrata extract
1.4% -
1.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
melia azadirachta leaf extract
0.45% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Antibacterial,
Anti-blemish
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
1.3% -
1.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
All ingredients
caprylic/capric triglyceride
6.2% -
7.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
glycerin
4.2% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cyclodextrin, Cetearyl olivate, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Eclipta prostrata extract, Cetearyl alcohol, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Sorbitan olivate, Tocopheryl acetate, Titanium dioxide, Squalane, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Rubus chamaemorus seed oil, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Pentylene glycol, Retinal, Sodium hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Alumina, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Daucus carota sativa seed oil, Sodium polyaspartate, Climbazole, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Disodium edta, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearic acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Dipteryx odorata bean extract, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Decylene glycol, Bht, 1,2-hexanediol, Coumarin
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Cyclodextrins: new drug delivery systems in dermatology
- Potent Antioxidative and UVB Protective Effect of Water Extract of Eclipta prostrata L.
- Melia azedarach
- Preliminary and Pharmacological Profile of Melia azedarach L.: An Overview
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
- Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributes
- Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Health
- New Claims for Wild Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. carota) Essential Oil
- Application of sodium polyaspartate in skin care products
- VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS FROM THE FLOWERS OF TWO SPECIES OF HONEYSUCKLE ( LONICERA JAPONICA AND LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM )
- Chemical composition of the essential oils from the flower, leaf and stem of Lonicera japonica
- Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitor