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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

SerumAnti-aging, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation

Efficacy

Exceptional

4.7 / 5.0

Safety

Mostly Safe

3.8 / 5.0

System Verdict

Excellent beginner retinal serum with crystal encapsulation for stability and gentleness, but fragrance allergens drag down safety. Efficacy score of 4.7 reflects 0.03% retinal (potent direct vitamin A form, 11x faster than retinol per studies) stabilized via cyclodextrin encapsulation (positions ~5, high concentration), paired with synergistic vitamin C derivatives (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate at ~positions 13-14) and barrier support (squalane, vitamin F, HA early in list); no jar packaging issues, ideal leave-on serum pH presumed ~5-6 for retinal efficacy; reserves 5.0 for higher retinal strengths like Crystal Retinal 6+.

Active Ingredients Detected

S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative

Retinal3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidTitanium Dioxide

A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results

Aqua (Water)Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerinVitamin F (Linoleic/Linolenic Acid Glycerol Ester)SqualaneSodium HyaluronateTocopheryl AcetateTetrahexyldecyl AscorbateAllantoinLecithin

B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients

IsododecaneCyclodextrinCetearyl OlivateSorbitan OlivateXanthan GumSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerPentylene GlycolHydroxypropyl MethylcelluloseSodium PolyaspartateBHTPolyhydroxystearic AcidDisodium EDTAAluminaIsostearic AcidPolyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleateStearic AcidCI 14700 (Red 4)

C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data

Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit ExtractDipteryx Odorata (Tonka) Bean ExtractLonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower ExtractLonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract

D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious

EthylhexylglycerinRubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed OilPhenoxyethanolCoumarin

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DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.