TikTokers are obsessed with science-backed skincare brand Medik8; these are the products they want you to know
Science-backed skincare brand Medik8 are pioneers of cutting-edge product technologies in skincare. Stat. While TikTokers are only now immersing themselves into Medik8 reviews (and reaping the benefits, may we add), the beauty editors of the world have been well acquainted with the best Medik8 products for quite some time. And for very good reason.
TikTok content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
TikTok content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Cast your minds back to 2009, when Medik8 – as lead by pharmacology and biochemistry graduate Elliot Isaacs – invented the ~CSA Philosophy~. It was their first in a long line of philosophies and formulations to make it mainstream, suggesting that, for the youngest-looking skin of your life, all you need to use is a well formulated, stabilised vitamin C serum and face sunscreen by day (for antioxidant protection, increased collagen production and brighter skin), and a vitamin A (aka retinol) at night. That being: the most important ingredient in youth-boosting skincare, with an ability to speed up cellular renewal and reduce sebum production.
From there came their progressive strength Crystal Retinal ladder that allows you to select the retinoid concentration that works best for you (from Crystal Retinal 1 being the gentlest to Crystal Retinal 20 which requires professional sign-off), and the r-Retinoate range: home to a breakthrough in vitamin A skincare technology which goes by the name of encapsulated retinyl retinoate. Without getting too science-y, retinyl retinoate fuses together retinol (the classic form of vitamin A) with retinoic acid (the active form of vitamin A) in a unique super molecule which has been patented all around the world (and become the first molecule of its kind to be published in the British Journal of Dermatology).
This nice segway to the brand's latest launch: Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye which, inspired by the original ground-breaking vitamin A facial serum Crystal Retinal, is the world's first clinical strength retinal for under eyes and available in three strengths (3, 6 & 10) to deliver progressive visible results in one night-time step. And it's so, so good. You get the picture. We're Medik8 fans. But if you're new to the Medik8 world, you might be left feeling a little overwhelmed. Ahead, our Medik8 reviews should be able to guide you.
For more from our Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
CRYSTAL RETINAL® CERAMIDE EYE
Medik8's: retinol eye cream.
Why we love it: The world's first clinic strength retinal for under eyes – as inspired by Medik8's multi-award-winning vitamin A serum for the face – Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye is a derm-loved breakthrough retinol eye cream which serves up targeted under eye rejuvenation. Medik8’s #1 skincare ingredient, retinaldehyde, has been stabilised at a clinical strength and combined with ceramides and hyaluronic acid filling spheres. The result? An all-in-one solution for evening eye care which is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, wrinkles, crepiness and puffiness while remaining gentle of the delicate eye area. And that we can confirm it does. Even of the most sensitive and easily-irritated of skin. Oh, and as part of the brand’s unique Crystal Retinal ladder, Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye is available in three strengths to deliver progressive visible results, tailored to you. So. Good.
How to apply it: Cleanse your skin using a cleansing balm or similar, then apply Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye around the eye area, avoiding your eyelids. Use twice a week for the first two weeks, then every other night for the next two weeks, before being able to use every night. Always use a sunscreen for face the next morning.
CRYSTAL RETINAL® Stable Retinal Night Serum Vitamin A
Medik8's: retinol serum.
Why we love it: Medik8's bestseller and the serum that reinvented vitamin A skincare, the Crystal Retinal Stable Retinal Night Serum Vitamin A works to reduce the appearance of fine lines by 20% and increase skin firmness by 11%. In fact, retinaldehyde – the star of Crystal Retinal – is proven to deliver results up to 11x faster than retinol. Impressive, huh? It's available in five strengths, though Crystal Retinal 20 should only be used by those who have comfortably finished at least two tubes of Crystal Retinal 10, due to its high potency.
How to apply it: Use in the evening after cleansing. Apply two pumps over the face and neck. Follow with your favourite moisturiser. Medik8's Advanced Night Restore is designed to be used after vitamin A. If you've never used Crystal Retinal before, use it twice a week for the first two weeks, every other night for the next two weeks then every night from there on out.
R-RETINOATE® INTENSE Youth Activating Cream Intense
Medik8's: night cream.
Why we love it: Another Medik8 product featuring the brand's exclusive molecule retinyl retinoate, blended with patent-pending, crystal-stabilised retinaldehyde, this youth-boosting night cream is bolstered with hyaluronic acid, ceramides and peptides to pack everything you could ever want from an evening skincare routine into one moisturiser.
How to apply it: In the evening, apply it to your face, neck and décolletage after cleansing.
ADVANCED NIGHT RESTORE™ Rejuvenating Multi-Ceramide Night Cream
Medik8's: night cream.
Why we love it: Medik8's Rejuvenating Multi-Ceramide Night Cream has been expertly formulated to use after vitamin A, so if you're already a fan of the brand's retinol serums, this could well be a complexion-transforming purchase. Working alongside Medik8 Crystal Retinal or Intelligent Retinol serums, it features a skin-firming multi-ceramide complex which replenishes your natural skin barrier with lipids. The results? A reduction in fine lines and a tighter-looking complexion in just seven days (according to research by the brand).
How to apply it: After cleansing and applying your face serum in the evening, apply Advanced Night Restore to your face, neck and décolletage. Use light, upward strokes and allow cream to fully absorb.
R-RETINOATE® DAY & NIGHT Youth Activating Cream Day & Night
Medik8's: 2-in-1 face serum.
Why we love it: A day and night moisturiser in one, this serum is one for the fans of a streamlined, quick and fuss-free skincare routine. It combines photostable retinyl retinoate (which doesn't break down in sunlight unlike traditional forms of vitamin A for daytime use) with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate – a gentle form of vitamin C. The result? Two skincare steps combined for skin that looks brighter, revitalised and more radiant.
How to apply it: After cleansing in the morning and evening, blend r-Retinoate Day & Night evenly across your face, neck and décolletage. You should always use a sunscreen for face in the morning while using vitamin A.
DAILY RADIANCE VITAMIN C™ C-Tetra Cream SPF 30 Two-in-One Moisturiser
Medik8's: SPF30.
Why we love it: Face SPF is a must, all year round, and with SPF30 and a cashmere-soft texture, Medik8's Daily Radiance Vitamin C is one of the best we've tried. It combines powerful antioxidant protection through vitamin C alongside a non-greasy, broad spectrum SPF 30, leaving skin radiant and sun damage at bay.
How to apply it: After cleansing in the morning, use the included spatula to apply a liberal amount of Daily Radiance Vitamin C. Blend it evenly across your face, neck and décolletage. You should reapply throughout the day if you're out in direct sunlight.
C-TETRA® LUXE Lipid Vitamin C Enhanced Radiance Serum
Medik8's: middle-of-the-range vitamin C serum.
Why we love it: If you've got your cleanser, moisturiser, SPF and evening serum sorted, but your morning routine is missing a vitamin C serum, make a beeline for the Lipid Vitamin C Enhanced Radiance Serum. It's a high concentration vitamin C serum which balances clinical brightening power with gentle nourishment and hydration, featuring squalane and vitamin F help to feed the skin’s barrier with moisture. Skin is glowing, and the texture is beautifully silky.
How to apply it: Massage six drops of C-Tetra Luxe across the face, neck and décolletage after cleansing in the morning.
HYDR8 B5™ Liquid Rehydration Serum
Medik8's: hyaluronic acid serum for sensitive skin.
Why we love it: HYDR8 B5™, a Liquid Rehydration Serum, is a dream for dry and dehydrated skin. It uses an optimum blend of hyaluronic acid weights to ensure skin is deeply nourished, right down to the deepest layers. It's suitable for sensitive skin (the formulation is fragrance-free, non-irritating and lightweight), and the added vitamin B5 improves skin’s water retention abilities.
How to apply it: Cleanse your face in the morning and evening, then massage six drops of Hydr8 B5 across the face, neck and décolletage.
C-TETRA® Lipid Vitamin C Radiance Serum
Medik8's: vitamin C serum for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Why we love it: Medik8’s cult-favourite vitamin C serum features stabilised vitamin C that is gentle on sensitive skin, so if you're prone to irritation, this could be the serum for you. Also suitable for vitamin C beginners, it delivers noticeable brightening results, minimises the appearance of fine lines and improves skin tone.
How to apply it: After cleansing in the morning, massage four drops across the face, neck and décolletage.
LIPID-BALANCE CLEANSING OIL™ Anti-Pollution Transforming Cleanser
Medik8's: cleansing oil.
Why we love it: Suitable for all skin types, this cleansing oil is great for those who want to quickly and effectively remove heavy makeup, face sunscreen and pollution-induced impurities. It contains Moringa extract (a natural anti-pollution cleansing agent which draws dirt and impurities to itself so they are easily removed from the skin) as well as safflower oil which feeds the natural skin barrier. It transforms from an oil to a silky, milky emulsion when it comes in contact with water and rinses away the day.
How to apply it: Gently massage this cleansing oil into dry skin, then add warm water to emulsify the product. Continue to massage, then rinse the product away and pat your face dry. Follow with your serum and moisturiser.
HYDR8 B5™ INTENSE Hyaluronic Acid with NMF Replenish & Boost
Medik8's: most intense hyaluronic acid serum.
Why we love it: If it's an intense hyaluronic acid serum that you're after, this replenishing serum promises to deliver visible smoothing and plumping results. It has been formulated with Multi-Weight Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5 and Saskatoon Berry to flood the skin with moisture and improve the appearance of crepiness and dehydration lines.
How to apply it: Cleanse in the morning and evening, then massage six drops Hydr8 B5 Intense across the face, neck and décolletage.
SUPER C FERULIC™ Potent Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Medik8's: most potent vitamin C serum.
Why we love it: This is Medik8's most potent vitamin C serum, so if you've been using vitamin C for a while and want to level-up results, you know exactly what to do. It contains the brand's Super C Ferulic (previously known as Super C30 Intense) which blasts pigmentation and leaves skin looking youthful, as well as turmeric extract which promotes a bright and even skin tone by blocking the enzyme which produces melanin in the skin.
How to apply it: Cleanse in the morning, then massage four drops of Super C Ferulic across the face, neck and décolletage before leaving it to absorb and applying your SPF.
LIQUID PEPTIDES™ 30% Complex Multi-Peptide Serum
Medik8's: peptides
Why we love it: Chances are you've probably heard of peptides: you know they're good for your skin, but beyond that, things get a little confusing. In short, peptides chains of amino acids that act as building blocks of proteins such as collagen, elastin and keratin (which all form the foundations of your skin and are needed in abundance for bounce, elasticity and tone). This highly effective serum contains a hydrating 30% peptide cocktail to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to apply it: After cleansing in the morning and evening, massage Liquid Peptides across your face, neck and décolletage. Leave it to dry and absorb before applying your moisturiser.
ADVANCED DAY ULTIMATE PROTECT™ Age-Defying Moisturiser with Photolyase SPF 50+ | PA++++
Medik8's: highest protection SPF.
Why we love it: Advanced Day Ultimate is Medik8's highest protection SPF 50+ PA++++ sunscreen, formulated with next-generation DNA repair enzymes and their most advanced 360° environmental shield to date. But not only does it protect from the sun to prevent sun-induced premature signs of skin ageing, it's infused with nourishing squalane and hydrating multi-weight hyaluronic acid to deliver daily moisture to the complexion. The texture is lightweight and silky, makeup applies atop it like a dream and your complexion is left glowing.
How to apply it: In the morning, after cleansing and after application of a vitamin C serum.
PRESS & GLOW™ Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic with Enzyme Activator
Medik8's: toner.
Why we love it: This hydrating acid toner helps to exfoliate the surface of your skin for increased everyday glow. It's infused with vitamin A and has been formulated to to work in perfect harmony with vitamin A (retinol or retinal products). Medik8 recommends their Crystal Retinal as the perfect partner to this toner.
How to apply it: After cleansing in the morning and evening, push a facial pad over the Press & Glow bottle three or four times. Sweep the pad over your face, avoiding the delicate eye area, then follow with your serum and moisturiser.
