PRODUCT REVIEW
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 GWP
Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
- Moisturizing
- Anti-blemish
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Can it cause trouble?
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What can the product work for?
Works for
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
With a lightweight, silk-like texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, this powerful serum renews and resurfaces the skin, visibly minimises fine lines and wrinkles, reduces blemishes and pigmentation and delivers a healthier, brighter and more even-toned complexion.
retinal
0.5% -
0.75%
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
0.45% -
0.7%
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?
With a lightweight, silk-like texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, this powerful serum renews and resurfaces the skin, visibly minimises fine lines and wrinkles, reduces blemishes and pigmentation and delivers a healthier, brighter and more even-toned complexion.
retinal
0.5% -
0.75%
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
0.45% -
0.7%
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?
With other key ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E, the skin is hydrated at every level, leading to a plumper and smoother complexion and the skin barrier is strengthened, helping to lock in moisture.
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
caprylic/capric triglyceride
7% -
8.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
sodium hyaluronate
0.55% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
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Anti-blemish
retinal
0.5% -
0.75%
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
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
91/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
retinal
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
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
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
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
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
2% -
2.5%
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)
Similar products & dupes
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| WIMJ similarity score |
77%
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75%
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74%
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73%
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72%
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72%
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71%
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70%
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70%
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
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MEDIUM
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinal
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
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
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
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
retinal
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
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
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
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
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
2% -
2.5%
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
7% -
8.5%
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 alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Sorbitan olivate, Tocopheryl acetate, Squalane, Sodium hyaluronate, Retinal, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Daucus carota sativa seed oil, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene glycol, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Rubus chamaemorus seed oil, Sodium polyaspartate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Dipteryx odorata bean extract, Bht, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Disodium edta, Hydroxyacetophenone, Titanium dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Alumina, Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Stearic acid, Coumarin, Ci 14700
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Cyclodextrins: new drug delivery systems in dermatology
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitor
- New Claims for Wild Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. carota) Essential Oil
- Application of sodium polyaspartate in skin care products
- 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
- VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS FROM THE FLOWERS OF TWO SPECIES OF HONEYSUCKLE ( LONICERA JAPONICA AND LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM )