Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 - Age-Defying Night Serum - Improves Wrinkles & Skin Firmness- 0.03% Retinal Strength - 11x Faster than Retinol - For New Vitamin A Users - 30ml

I can't speak highly enough of Medik8's retinol range - it's kind enough for my sensitive skin, the cream formula minimises the risk of it degrading, and the different strengths mean you can adjust daily based on what your skin is doing. I've been using 6 & 10 for some time now, and dared to venture to 20. It's noticeably thicker than 10, and also makes your face shockingly yellow (this is a sign of good quality retinol, apparently), a little sticky on the pillow. But despite its strength, I've had no irritation, using once or twice a week, alternating with 10. I always us a peptide first (Medik8 or Vichy89), and if I notice any dry or tight patches, I revert to 6 for a few days. I've used retinol for so long I wouldn't have a skin 'transformation', but Im in no doubt that retinol has been keeping my skin texture in good nik, and this is by far one of the best I've used.

I bought this as I wanted to start a retinal journey and this one had good reviews. I have used it for two weeks, twice a week as recommended and will now move on to phase 2 which is every other night. After that it is recommended to use every night. My skin feels hydrated after using it, not dry or tight. I use a night cream after it’s soaked in as recommended. I also use sunscreen the next day and a vitamin c serum. A tiny amount covers a large area and it will last for a long time. I haven’t had any adverse effects like redness or soreness and if this continues then I will upgrade to Crystal Retinol 6 when I finish the tube. I think this tube will last a good 4-6 weeks more. I realise retinal is not an overnight miracle worker so I am not expecting to see any obvious results for a couple of months.

I used medik8 for over a year building from 3 to 6 to 10, with 10 over most of it and eventually daily. Pros: -gentle as long as you build up in strength n frequency and don’t combine with actives like acids on same night. -Smells nice -Nice creamy consistency -Spreads and absorbs well. Cons- pump container isn’t always great, and can waste some when nearly empty- cut tube open to use the last lil bit. -expensive but if you shop around online you can often find it cut price somewhere. Check amazon, look fantastic, beauty bay etc. It does make a difference but *over time*, its important to keep expectations realistic and I’m going to drum this right in now. Retinaldehyde or any retinoid for that matter will not stop ageing nor give you Botox results and especially not after just one month nor 2 nor 3. Sorry, but its retinoid not a liquid facelift. But out of all the retinoids I have used, inc the ordinary, this one made the most difference. And as much as Itd be great if it did, using retinoid cream alone without other care taken alongside it (eg keeping it clean, protected, moisturised) will limit results.try to target the cause as well as treat the problem. WEAR SUNSCREEN!! retinoids will do nothing if you arent protecting from sun damage so of course it will seem like its not working, because the sun is undoing what good it does. SPF, everyday rain or shine. Get into the habit of using it or youre wasting your time and money. What it did for me: it did not do much to my deep forehead lines but I had crows feet forming where I squint a lot and they are virtually gone now. It helped alongside practicing relaxing my face muscles more, wearing SPF and wearing sunglasses on sunny days. Some enlarged pores have gone, only the v worst ones remain. Made my skin softer and reduced some pigmentation from past sun damage. I had a brownish spot under my eye from it which is now barely visible. But again, you NEED to protect it from future sun. It helped my acne problem. It was bad deep cystic acne. I got into skincare when struggling with it, some spots would crop up in the same place. I tried AHAs/BHAs & they helped abit but only short term and on surfaced spots. This is where the retinoids, and eventually medik8, came in. My skin was in a pretty bad way at first after a lifetime of neglect and went through a long 6 month purging process, so be prepared for many many spots- it feels like it will never end at times but this is normal with retinoids, its cell turnover+++ pushing years of crap out. I finally came out of it and now have clear skin, after persevering. There can be side effects like dryness but I have oily combo skin so didnt really get that. However its normal to get the odd side effect from retinoids so expect them. My routine: wash, retinoid, moisturise. SPF in daytime, repeat. Clean pillowcases. Only touch face with clean hands. Protect in the day, clear treat and restore at night, is what I go by. I no longer use this product because I have moved on from retinaldehyde to tretinoin (stronger stuff) so no longer need the medik8. But medik8 crystal retinal is a good retinaldehyde product to use when moving on from retinol, or as a bridge retinoid to build up to prescription strength. (Retinyl parmitate to retinol to retinaldehyde to tretinoin+) Ultimately, you should get results if you: - use it as part of a consistent skin routine - practice good skin hygiene - Use sunscreen everyday - persevere through purging and initial side effects - keep up with using it regularly There is a wealth of info on the tinterweb and by dermatologist/aestheticians on retinoids, care while using them, what to expect etc. its well worth learning.

This lasted 4 months, because I read another review and someone said they cut the tube open, which gives you maybe another month. I am now starting my second tube, but I have already seen a big reduction in wrinkles, especially on my neck. I use it on my forehead and around my mouth, under my chin and neck every night. I like the smell and had no sensitivity or any other issues with the cream. I am 56, postmenopausal, and never really bothered with skincare. But then decided last October to maybe try and halt ageing a bit. Didn't really experience much. The cream was a birthday present to myself, but now, I don't want to miss it anymore. Look out for offers, I will buy the next one when on offer, probably a month or so before I run out. Can highly recommend.

Good but very pricey

Best retinol I’ve ever used! I put this on most nights - all over face - I have a lot of hyperpigmentation on my face, well, I did! It’s almost all gone after a few weeks. I had one stubborn brown blotch that I’ve paid for micro needling and laser for and it did not work. A few weeks on this retinale and my skin is clear, unblemished, smooth, pores are minimized and added to the matching eye retinale, they seem to have worked together really well. This seems to have been worth the money! What I’ve been using is retinale all over, the eye retinal around my eyes but not on my eyelids. And then when it’s dried in I put a moisturizer over the top generously. I’ve tried retinols before - some pricey ones too but this is the first one that I can see results very obviously. Very happy and I’ll purchase again.

Yes seems great - only used 2 nights so no results but feels lovely - will review wgen used more.

Not sealed and unable to return, a waste of money. H