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Medik8 Retinol 3TR Serum
Medik8

Medik8 Retinol 3TR Serum

Efficacy95/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation
Retinol
Works well
What the product description says
“Developed with 0.3% retinol (vitamin A), the formula works to smooth the appearance of fine lines while lending an exfoliating effect.”
Source: Lookfantastic Australia

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.

RetinolKey activeEffect: HighTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating~0.45–1.05%
Evens skin tone
Retinol
Works well
What the product description says
“Helping to smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, unclog congested pores and balance uneven skin tones, the treatment work to create a clearer, healthier and younger-looking complexion.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.

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.

RetinolHeroEffect: HighTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating~0.45–1.05%
Anti-blemish
Retinol
Works well
What the product description says
“Helping to smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, unclog congested pores and balance uneven skin tones, the treatment work to create a clearer, healthier and younger-looking complexion.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

RetinolHeroEffect: HighTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating~0.45–1.05%
Anti-aging
Retinol
Works well
What the product description says
“Helping to smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, unclog congested pores and balance uneven skin tones, the treatment work to create a clearer, healthier and younger-looking complexion.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.

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.

RetinolHeroEffect: HighTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating~0.45–1.05%
Moisturizing
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Cyclopentasiloxane + 3 more
Works
What the product description says
“In a jojoba-oil base, the nourishing serum protects the delicate retinol molecule for long-term efficacy.”
Source: Medik8

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, simmondsia chinensis seed oil.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

Simmondsia chinensis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.~25–37%
CyclopentasiloxaneKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~8.3–12.4%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~2.3–3.5%
Cyclohexasiloxane· EmollientEffect: LowA silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels~3.3–5%
Lecithin· EmollientEffect: LowUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.2–1.7%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · Retinol, Tocopheryl acetate
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

RetinolKey activeEffect: HighTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating~0.45–1.05%
Tocopheryl acetateEffect: LowA 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.~0.55–1.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Retinol
Medium risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
RetinolTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritatingHigh~0.45–1.05%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~25–37%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~2.3–3.5%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.55–1.25%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.4%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Retinol 1% in Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
CheaperHigher efficacy · 100/10093% match
$8.07
Midnight Ritual Retinol Serum
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Serum
Higher efficacy · 100/10086% match
$66.55
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~25–37%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Cyclopentasiloxane~8.3–12.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingMoisturizing

A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin

More about Cyclopentasiloxane
Ppg-12/smdi copolymer~4.5–6.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a nice product finish

More about Ppg-12/smdi copolymer
Cyclohexasiloxane~3.3–5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels

More about Cyclohexasiloxane
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.3–3.5%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
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

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Tocopheryl acetate~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Retinol~0.45–1.05%
Hero · Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-oxidationExfoliationMattifyingAnti-blemish

Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating

More about Retinol
Lecithin~1.2–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin
Bht~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Ingredient list view

Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinol, Lecithin, Bht

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Medik8Retinol 3TR SerumYOUR PRODUCTSothysCosmeceutique RX Retinol DermoboosterThe OrdinaryRetinol 1% in SqualaneSummer FridaysMidnight Ritual Retinol Serum
Match—93%93%86%
Price——$8.07$66.55
Shared key ingredients—4 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—GlycerinRosemary ExtractNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safetyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Medik8 Retinol 3TR Serum
Medik8Retinol 3TR Serum
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Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.