Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-aging
- Anti-blemish
- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Key actives
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.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Skin Care Concerns Home Skin Ceuticals Medical Skincare Dermatologist approved Teen & Pre-Teen Acne & Blemishes Fine Lines & Wrinkles Visible Pores Dark Circles & Puffiness Dull Skin Dry Skin Oily Skin Combination Skin Redness Pigmentation Dehydrated Skin Sensitive Skin
Source: Cultbeauty
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.
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
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.
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
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
More than that, it actively helps reduce blemish-causing bacteria to keep skin clear and balanced.
Source: Mankind
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.
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
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Skin Care Concerns Home Skin Ceuticals Medical Skincare Dermatologist approved Teen & Pre-Teen Acne & Blemishes Fine Lines & Wrinkles Visible Pores Dark Circles & Puffiness Dull Skin Dry Skin Oily Skin Combination Skin Redness Pigmentation Dehydrated Skin Sensitive Skin
Source: Cultbeauty
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.
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
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.
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?
Skin Care Concerns Home Skin Ceuticals Medical Skincare Dermatologist approved Teen & Pre-Teen Acne & Blemishes Fine Lines & Wrinkles Visible Pores Dark Circles & Puffiness Dull Skin Dry Skin Oily Skin Combination Skin Redness Pigmentation Dehydrated Skin Sensitive Skin
Source: Cultbeauty
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.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
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.
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
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
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
The ground-breaking overnight serum visibly minimises fine lines and wrinkles; firming and plumping the complexion to resurface skin texture and soften the face.
Source: Mankind
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Exfoliation |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 75/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum | Current | $45.00 | |
Cyrène Skincare Diamond Retinal 1 | 91% | - | |
PEACH & LILY Retinal For All Renewing Serum | 84% | - | |
skinmade Tranexamic acid + Retinal serum | 82% | $27.46 | |
Ursa Major Lunar Bloom Retinal Serum | 82% | $76.00 | |
Meditherapy Retinal Skin Booster Serum | 82% | $17.99 |
Key Actives
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
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
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
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.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Potential irritants
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
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
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
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
A berry extract that can have some anti-oxidant properties. It helps to preserve product formulations and improve their smell. It can be irritating
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
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
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.
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
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.
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
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
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Comedogenic ingredients
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
All ingredients
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
Used to create a thicker product consistency
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
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.
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
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.
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
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
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
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.
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
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
A plant oil that might help neutralize free radicals and have an anti-bacterial effect
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
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
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
A berry extract that can have some anti-oxidant properties. It helps to preserve product formulations and improve their smell. It can be irritating
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
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
Used to creat a nice product texture and support penetration of other ingredients
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, Squalane, Eclipta prostrata extract, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Sodium hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Alumina, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Disodium edta, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Stearic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Daucus carota sativa seed oil, Sodium polyaspartate, Climbazole, Retinal, Dipteryx odorata bean extract, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Rubus chamaemorus seed oil, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Pentylene glycol, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Decylene glycol, Bht, 1,2-hexanediol, Coumarin
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Potent Antioxidative and UVB Protective Effect of Water Extract of Eclipta prostrata L.
- Cyclodextrins: new drug delivery systems in dermatology
- 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
- Melia azedarach
- Preliminary and Pharmacological Profile of Melia azedarach L.: An Overview
- Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
- 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
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- 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
- Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributes
- Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Health
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols