When it comes to skincare, there are three main steps that provide a simple route to great skin: morning Vitamin C, sunscreen and evening Vitamin A (retinols). It’s the latter that British skincare brand Medik8 have been focusing on, developing not one but five versions of their Crystal Retinal serum, which was first pioneered in 2018.
Aiming for a results-driven formula that provides results without compromise, this cashmere-textured serum utilizes a next generation vitamin A molecule.
Called retinaldehyde, it promises to deliver results up to 11 times faster than traditional forms of retinol*. The reason this happens is all about how your skin takes in vitamin A.
The Vitamin A Conversion Cycle
‘Retinoic acid’ is a nutrient that is bioavailable in the body, made from vitamin A. Retinol esters take a few ‘conversions’ within the skin to become retinoic acid, while retinol takes two conversions.
Retinaldehyde only requires one conversion to be turned into retinoic acid, meaning it is the closest to clinical grade Vitamin A (tretinoin) in terms of conversions. This is what Medik8 say helps it perform so quickly in comparison to other forms of retinol.
What does it do? The retinaldehyde in the patent Crystal Retinal formula is designed to resurface the skin while helping to rebuild collagen.
Traditional retinal serums are notorious for being unstable and sensitive to environmental factors (light and air), which reduce the efficacy of the retinal over time (and even the irritation it can cause if left too long). To get around this difficulty, the development team have used a specialized ‘crystal encapsulation system’.
Encapsulation of retinal creates an enhanced stability, creating a more efficacious formula that is time-released throughout the night.
“This means retinaldehyde is just as gentle on the skin as retinol, but has effects similar to prescription-strength retinoic acid,” the brand says.
The use of retinaldehyde has another benefit, designed for those who suffer from breakouts.
“Unlike other forms of vitamin A, retinaldehyde has the added benefit of having direct bacterial action, making it the ideal age-defying ingredient for blemish prone skin.”
What Are The 5 Strengths Of Crystal Retinal?
- Crystal Retinal 1 – This is a stable retinal night serum with gentle strength vitamin A (0.01%)
- Crystal Retinal 3 – This is a stable retinal night serum with medium strength vitamin A (0.03%)
- Crystal Retinal 6 – This is a stable retinal night serum with super strength vitamin A (0.06%)
- Crystal Retinal 10 – This is a stable retinal night serum with ultra strength vitamin A (0.1%)
- Crystal Retinal 20 – This is a stable retinal night serum with professional strength vitamin A (0.2%)
Why Should You Use Crystal Retinal?
- Absorption: designed with a patented time-release delivery system, the highly-potent formula is distributed evenly and constantly, as it is absorbed through the night.
- Hydration: with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, Crystal Retinal is designed to hydrate as it works.
- Kind to skin: the stability release system is designed to ensure it remains gentle as it works and comes on slowly, so it won’t overwhelm the skin.
- Lightweight formula: called ‘virtually weightless’ the Crystal Retinal’s silk-like texture sinks in easily and feels light on the skin.
- Antibacterial qualities: unlike other forms of Vitamin A, retinaldehyde has antibacterial properties making it useful for breakout prone skin.
Find out more about the Crystal Retinol serum for you here.
