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Adding a retinal into your skincare routine can feel quite overwhelming. You want to see results without causing your skin any irritation. Medik8 Crystal Retinal has been in my skincare routine for a couple of years now and completely changed my opinion on retinals. If your looking for a gentle way to start adding retinal in your skincare routine, keep reading!
Medik8s Crystal Retinal is widely loved, in fact it’s now the number one Retinal serum worldwide! What makes it stand out is its considered formula including a potent retinaldehyde (vitamin A) which is encapsulated to ensure results without discomfort or irritation. It comes in a lightweight silver tube with a pump dispenser which is easy to use and mess free. We know skincare is personal and isn’t a one size fits all. Medik8 know this and it’s reflected in their progressive ladder of strength starting from 1 up to 24. I love this approach as you can customise your experience without compromising on results. My sensitive skin appreciated starting on strength 1 and recently I’ve been able to progress to strength 3.
What Medik8 Crystal Retinal Promises:
- A Vitamin A evening serum which is clinically proven to smooth and firm the skin whilst brightening dark spots and visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles
- Proven to work 11x faster than standard retinol, showing results quicker!
- Will leave skin looking brighter whilst overtime improving clarity, firmness and texture
- Is carefully formulated using high quality ingredients and patented technology to ensure it is gentle yet effective. Resulting in no flaking or irritation.
- A progressive ladder of strengths ensures you can customise and start at the right strength for your skin to prevent irritation
- It remains effective until the end thanks its patented stability complex
Key Ingredients:
- Retinaldehyde – is a potent form of Vitamin A which is proven to work up to 11x faster than standard retinol without irritating the skin. It works to improve the appearance of skin texture, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and firmness.
- Hyaluronic Acid – behaves like a sponge and can draw in more than 1,000 times its weight in water. Benefitting all skin type it leaves the skin feeling hydrated and looking plumper and more supple.
- Vitamin E – a string antioxidant which both repairs and protects the skin against free radicals. Helping to support and strengthen the skin barrier whilst boosting the efficacy of Vitamin C.
- Glycerin – a powerful humectant it draws in and retains moisture in the skin resulting in deep hydration. Leaving skin looking plump, smooth and feeling comforted.
How I Use Medik8 Crystal Retinal in my routine:
I use Crystal Retinal in my evening routine after my serums and before moisturising. I then use C-Tetra Advanced in my morning skincare alongside SPF (essential!) and find this is really working for my skin. It has been a gradual journey and I admit out of fear for my sensitive and rosacea prone skin I patch tested for two weeks before fully committing. I then used twice a week and increased gradually with my skins tolerance to use it alternate nights. I experienced no irritation this way and love how easy it has been to add into my routine.
My Review
A soft and silky creamy serum which feels light and lovely to massage into my skin. It absorbs easily leaving my skin feeling soft and smooth as opposed to tacky which is great. I find 3 pumps is my magic number for a full application including my neck and chest, any excess left I use on my hands which works a treat. It layers brilliantly in my evening skincare routine and I recommend giving yourself time to allow everything to absorb fully before using it to get the most out of it. I wait ten minutes for Crystal Retinal to absorb before moisturising and find this works really well for my skin.
Consistency is the magic word when it comes to skincare alongside patience. Overtime my skin looks smoother, plumper and brighter. My complexion looks more even with my redness especially looking calmer and reduced which is great as this is a real skin concern for me. Any concerns I had of my sensitive skin feeling irritated quickly disappeared. I’ve had not one tingle since I started using it which has quite honestly been fantastic. Strength 1 was the best starting point for my skin and I’ve since been able to progress to strength 3 with no problem. I’ll be waiting some time before progressing whilst also knowing that as my skin becomes more tolerant I can increase the frequency of use and still see great results.
Crystal Retinal completely changed my view of retinals and being able to start at a level my skin can tolerate has been fantastic. Its potent but gentle and has really given my skincare routine a welcome boost. Safe to say now I’m in my 40’s its become a staple go-to and one which continues to deliver results.
Starting from £45 available from Medik8
Love Sarah xx
