Works for
Anti-agingRetinal, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Delivering gentle fine line-reducing benefits, the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum is an advanced retinaldehyde formula that protects from the noticeable signs of ageing.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinal.
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 toneRetinal, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate + 1 moreWorks well
“20% reduction in visible pigmentation*”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinal.
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.
MoisturizingCaprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 9 moreWorks
“Powered by 0.03% stabilised retinal, the treatment is suitable for beginners and those with sensitive skin thanks to a blend of nourishing actives and time-release encapsulation technology.”
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Retinal, Melia azadirachta leaf extractWorks well
“More than that, it actively helps reduce blemish-causing bacteria to keep skin clear and balanced.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinal. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Retinal, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5.9–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideGlycerin~4.1–5%
- 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 GlycerinIsododecane~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneCetearyl olivate~2.4–2.9%
Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerCetearyl alcohol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPpg-12/smdi copolymer~1.5–1.9%
Sorbitan olivate~1.2–1.4%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTitanium dioxide~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideEclipta prostrata extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
More about Eclipta prostrata extractCyclodextrin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of sugar that is used to support delivery of active ingredients and can enhance their penetration into the skin without disrupting the skin's barrier
More about CyclodextrinSqualane~0.55–0.8%
- 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 SqualaneHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–0.65%
- 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 copolymerPhenoxyethanol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMelia azadirachta leaf extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractHydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 ascorbateRubus chamaemorus seed oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A berry extract that can have some anti-oxidant properties. It helps to preserve product formulations and improve their smell. It can be irritating
More about Rubus chamaemorus seed oilAlumina~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaIsostearic acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidLecithin~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidStearic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPentylene glycol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolRetinal~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about RetinalMoringa oleifera seed oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
More about Moringa oleifera seed oilSodium polyaspartate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
More about Sodium polyaspartateClimbazole~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Disodium edta~0.25–0.4%
Lonicera japonica flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
More about Lonicera japonica flower extractLonicera caprifolium flower extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
More about Lonicera caprifolium flower extractDaucus carota sativa seed oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that might help neutralize free radicals and have an anti-bacterial effect
More about Daucus carota sativa seed oilEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
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
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidDipteryx odorata bean extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.2–0.35%
Polysorbate 60~0.2–0.4%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateVanilla planifolia fruit extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extractDecylene glycol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to creat a nice product texture and support penetration of other ingredients
More about Decylene glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.3%
Bht~0.1–0.15%
Coumarin~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl olivate, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Cetearyl alcohol, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Sorbitan olivate, Tocopheryl acetate, Titanium dioxide, Eclipta prostrata extract, Cyclodextrin, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Sodium hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Rubus chamaemorus seed oil, Alumina, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Stearic acid, Pentylene glycol, Retinal, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Sodium polyaspartate, Climbazole, Disodium edta, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Daucus carota sativa seed oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Dipteryx odorata bean extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Decylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Bht, Coumarin
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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.
| Medik8Crystal Retinal 3 SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Cyrène SkincareDiamond Retinal 1 | PEACH & LILYRetinal For All Renewing Serum | skinmadeTranexamic acid + Retinal serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 84% | 82% |
| Price | $66.00 | $19.01−$46.99 | $55.00−$11.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Ceramide Eop | Bakuchiol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Ursa Major Lunar Bloom Retinal SerumMeditherapy Retinal Skin Booster Serum
Product summary
"Medik8 - Crystal Retinal 3 Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Anti-blemish
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinal 0.25% - 0.45%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.35% - 0.60% and glycerin 4.10% - 5.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Medik8" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 79.20A$ in Australia, for 45.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 62.00$ in the United States and for 73.80CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Melia azedarachmdedge.com
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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