Medik8 Crystal Retinal on a warm cream background

Treat

Medik8 Crystal Retinal

A retinaldehyde treatment with four strengths, designed for measured progression rather than rushing to the highest level.

£50.00 £16.67/10ml

30ml

Product Strength

Best suited to: Retinoid users who can introduce treatment gradually.
Another option may be better if: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, active irritation or very sensitive skin.

Earn 5% back in Curatory Credit

Our way of saying thank you as you build your skincare routine with The Curatory.

How Curatory Credit works

Why I chose it

Retinoids have some of the strongest evidence in cosmetic skincare, but a product only helps if it is tolerable enough to use consistently. Crystal Retinal earns its place because the encapsulated formula and graded strengths make that progression easier to manage.
Some irritation can occur. Increase the frequency or strength only if your skin is comfortable and there is a clear reason to do so. You do not need to move up simply because you have finished a tube.

Dr Max GreenfieldMBBS, BSc, MRCS(Eng)

Where this fits

A broad guide to where this sits, without assuming how many steps your routine has.

Evening

Comes afterCleansing and lighter leave-on products

This product Medik8 Crystal Retinal

Comes beforeMoisturiser

Curate your full skincare routine

How to introduce it

After cleansing in the evening, apply two pumps to the face and neck. Allow to absorb, then follow with a moisturiser. Start with two evenings each week, then increase slowly only if your skin remains comfortable. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning.

At first, avoid using other retinoids or strong exfoliating acids on the same evening. Reduce frequency or pause if irritation persists, and ask us before increasing strength if you are unsure.

Guidance continues after purchase. We can help you introduce, simplify or adjust this product.

The ingredients that make this special

A closer look at the ingredients doing the most meaningful work in this formula—and what the evidence can reasonably tell us.

Retinaldehyde

A vitamin A derivative that can help improve the appearance of fine lines, texture and uneven tone.

Read the clinical context

Retinaldehyde, often shortened to retinal, is a vitamin A derivative that converts in the skin to retinoic acid in one step. It has good clinical evidence for improving the appearance of fine lines, uneven texture and pigmentation over time. It is not the same as prescription tretinoin and can still cause dryness or irritation when first introduced.

Do not use during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or if you’re trying to conceive.

Hyaluronic Acid

A well-established humectant moisturiser that helps the skin hold onto water.

Read the clinical context

Hyaluronic acid is a well-established humectant moisturiser that draws water into the upper layers of the skin. It works best alongside emollient and occlusive ingredients, which help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss.

Glycerin

A well-established humectant moisturiser that helps the skin hold onto water.

Read the clinical context

Glycerin draws water into the outer layer of the skin, helping to improve hydration and reduce dryness. It is widely used and suitable for most skin types, although the texture and feel of a product will depend on the full formula.

Vitamin E

An antioxidant that also helps soften the skin.

Read the clinical context

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that also helps soften the skin. Its exact role depends on the rest of the formula, but it does not need to be paired with Vitamin C to be useful.

View the complete ingredients list

Aqua (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 (Cloudberry) 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 (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dipteryx Odorata (Tonka) Bean Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Decylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, BHT, Coumarin.

More about Medik8

Medik8 develops and manufactures virtually all of its products at its ISO-certified innovation centre near London. Its in-house scientists focus on formulation, stability and ingredient delivery rather than following a trend simply because it is popular.

That work is visible across several of its best-known ranges: the progressive Crystal Retinal strength ladder; C-Tetra serums built around a stable form of vitamin C; its research into peptide combinations and delivery; and high-quality daily sunscreens designed to make reliable UVA and UVB protection easier to use consistently. The products do different jobs, but they share a useful principle: thoughtful formulation should help proven ingredients fit into real routines.