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Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 ingredients: is it worth it?
A genuinely effective retinal serum, but not a miracle in a bottle.
A genuinely effective retinal serum, but not a miracle in a bottle.
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The efficacy score is 4.1/5: retinal is the correct evidence-backed anti-aging active, listed in a credible serum base and reportedly stabilized/encapsulated, while glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, and emollients support tolerability. The 0.06% retinaldehyde concentration is meaningful but not maximal, the formula provides no disclosed pH or retinal percentage on the INCI itself, and the added vitamin C derivatives and botanical extracts are secondary rather than major efficacy drivers. The score is therefore strong, not clinically optimal. Coumarin and aromatic botanical extracts create a modest irritation concern despite the absence of denatured alcohol and declared artificial fragrance.
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DemythSkin rates Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 4.1/5 for efficacy and 4.1/5 for safety.
CONTAINS COMMON SENSITISERS⌄
Fragrance components and essential oils that more often cause reactions in sensitive skin: Coumarin. Most people tolerate them; patch test if your skin reacts easily.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER
Gold Standards
High clinical proof | Skin-transformativeReliable
Proven resultsPotent
Developing evidenceOverhyped | Marketing
Hype | Limited dataDocumented Irritants
Evidence-backed flagFORMULATION BASE (18)⌄
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄
water, hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin. This leaves the complexion visibly nourished and supple. Vitamin E A powerful antioxidant that's naturally present in the skin, Vitamin E works to nourish the complexion. Glycerin A natural humectant which traps moisture within the skin to leave it hydrated and comfortable. Vitamin E A powerful antioxidant that's naturally present in the skin, Vitamin E works to nourish the complexion. Glycerin A natural humectant which traps moisture within the skin to leave it hydrated and comfortable. See More View all Full List of Ingredients Crystal Retinal Retinal Age Defying Night Serum Crystal Retinal 1: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cyclodextrin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Polyaspartate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Retinal, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, BHT, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract, Coumarin, Red 4, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891. Crystal Retinal 3: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclodextrin, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Retinal, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Polyaspartate, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Sorbitan Isostearate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract, Coumarin, Red 4, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891. Crystal Retinal 6: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cyclodextrin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Retinal, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Polyaspartate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, BHT, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract, Coumarin, Red 4, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891. Crystal Retinal 10: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cyclodextrin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Retinal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, BHT, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract, Coumarin, Red 4, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891. Crystal Retinal 20: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Isododecane, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Retinal, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Titanium Dioxide,Sodium Polyaspartate, Climbazole, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Alumina, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Disodium EDTA, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dipteryx Odorata (Tonka) Bean Extract, BHT, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Decylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coumarin. Crystal Retinal 24: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Retinal, Dipteryx Odorata (Tonka) Bean Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Lecithin, Coumarin, BHT, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Sativa Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Polyaspartate, Climbazole, Decylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Red 4. *Although we try our best to ensure this list of ingredients is accurate there may be product upgrades from time to time, or slight variants between different regions based on local laws, meaning the only definitive ingredient list is that which is printed on the product packaging. Clinically-proven formula Dermatologist recommended No artificial fragrance Paraben free Alcohol free Certified by the vegan society Beauty inc's 100 greatest skincare products of all time Experts Recommended A true breakthrough in vitamin A skincare DANIEL ISAACS Chief Product Officer Complete Your Regime Reviews Frequently Asked Questions When should I apply Crystal Retinal
WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (24)⌄
- Water
- Formula solvent
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Light emollient
- Glycerin
- Humectant moisturizer
- Isododecane
- Lightweight emollient solvent
- Cetearyl Olivate
- Emulsifier and emollient
- Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- Texture stabilizer
- Cyclodextrin
- Active encapsulation aid
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Fatty alcohol thickener
- Sorbitan Olivate
- Emulsifier and emollient
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Vitamin E derivative
- Squalane
- Skin-conditioning emollient
- Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- Emulsion stabilizer
- Hydroxyacetophenone
- Antioxidant preservative booster
- 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
- Vitamin C derivative
- Phenoxyethanol
- Preservative
- Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
- Film-forming thickener
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Humectant hydrator
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
- Oil-soluble vitamin C derivative
- Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
- Plant seed emollient
- Pentylene Glycol
- Humectant and solvent
- Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil
- Plant seed oil
- Retinal
- Retinoid treatment active
- Alumina
- Pigment and texture aid
- Isostearic Acid
- Emollient fatty acid
EXTERNAL CITATIONS
Retinal: Medik8 reports Crystal Retinal 6 contains 0.06% retinaldehyde and cites an independent 12-week study of 33 participants.
Sodium Hyaluronate: Humectant hydration support from the provided INCI.
Glycerin: Humectant hydration support from the provided INCI.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
A cheaper serum that scores as high or higher
A different formula for the same concern (anti-aging) that scores at least as high on both efficacy and safety.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6: common questions
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 worth it?
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 scores 4.1 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Effective) and 4.1 out of 5.0 for safety (Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. A genuinely effective retinal serum, but not a miracle in a bottle.
What are the key active ingredients in Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6?
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Retinal.
Does Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 contain fragrance or known irritants?
DemythSkin flags these ingredients in Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 as documented irritants: Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Coumarin.
How is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 scored?
DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.
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