Image: medik8.com
Medik8
Crystal Retinal®
A serum built around Vitamin E and Mineral sunscreen, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
GBP 45.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Sensitive skin
- Dark spots & pigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Dryness & dehydration
- Uneven texture
How to use
First-time use If you're new to Crystal Retinal we recommend a patch test at least 24 hours before first use. Learn how to patch test here. Phase application in gradually. Use twice a week for the first 2 weeks, every other night for the next 2 weeks, then every night. Step 1 After cleansing in the evening, apply 2 pumps of Crystal Retinal to the face and neck. Allow to absorb. Step 2 Follow with a moisturiser. We recommend Advanced Night Restore which is engineered to be used after vitamin A (retinoids). Step 3 Always use a sunscreen the next morning after using vitamin A. We recommend Advanced Day Ultimate Protect .
Caution
We do however, generally recommend avoiding vitamin A use while pregnant or breastfeeding, which is why we offer a plant-based vitamin A alternative - Bakuchiol Peptides.
What's inside
Ingredients List
15 trigger at least one check · 32 trigger none
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Vitamin C derivative (stable)2
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Vitamin C2
Vitamin C in any form: an antioxidant and brightener.
Benefits
Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyaspartate, Squalane, Stearic Acid
Barrier Repair13
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Glycerin, Isododecane, Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Smoothing10
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Isododecane, Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Retinal, Squalane, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Brightening2
Restores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Antioxidant5
Shields skin from free radical damage.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, BHT, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Anti-Pollution6
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
BHT, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Concerns
May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis14
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Squalane
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Aqua
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Isododecane
Perfuming, Emollient, Solvent
2,2,4,6,6-Pentamethylheptane; Hydrocarbons, C4, 1,3-butadiene-free, polymd., triisobutylene fraction, hydrogenated
Learn more about Isododecane →Cetearyl Olivate
Emulsion Stabilising, Hair Conditioning, Emollient, Slip Modifier, Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl Olivate →Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Anticaking, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer →Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cetearyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol →PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
Film Forming, Hair Fixing, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Poly(oxy-1,2-propanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, polymer with 1,1'-methylenebis[4-isocyanatocyclohexane] (12 mol PO avergae molar ratio)
Learn more about PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer →Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan Olivate →Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate →