With a background in physiology, pharmacology, and biochemistry, Elliot Isaacs founded Medik8 to offer the world results-driven products with proven science.
OUR TOP SKINCARE PICKS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrot & Stick | Review | |||||
| 2 | Formulyst | Review | |||||
| 3 | Skinceuticals | Review | |||||
| - | Medik8 |
Medik8 products are specifically formulated for mature skin to maintain a more youthful-looking complexion, and his mission is to demystify anti-aging skincare with his philosophy of ‘vitamin C plus sunscreen by day, and vitamin A by night.
In this review, we’ll discuss the best-selling Medik8 products, including the key ingredients and the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skincare.
We’ll also share some Medik8 reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.
What Are The Top 5 Best Medik8 Skincare Products?
Medik8 offers everything that you would need to create a complete skincare routine, including cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and more. Here’s a breakdown of the top 5 best Medik8 skincare products.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal
If we told you there’s an ingredient that’s more potent than retinol (but much better tolerated) would you believe us? Well, it’s true, and that ingredient is retinaldehyde — the star ingredient in the best-selling Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum.
Here’s why retinaldehyde is more potent than retinol: For any vitamin A derivative to be effective, it must first convert into retinoic acid. For example, retinol must be converted to retinaldehyde and then to retinoic acid. As you can see, retinaldehyde offers more effectiveness than retinol because it’s one step closer to retinoic acid.
So what benefits can you expect from retinaldehyde? It works by promoting skin cell turnover and stimulating collagen synthesis, which in turn improves skin tone, unclogs pores, and slows down the formation of lines and wrinkles.
Lastly, the brand ensures that your skin will be soft and moisturized after using Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum with the inclusion of several skin-hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E.
Medik8 C-TETRA Lipid Vitamin C Radiance Serum
A daily serum which features a low irritation, stabilized form of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
Regardless of what form of vitamin C is used in the formula, all vitamin C derivatives are converted to ascorbic acid after being absorbed into the skin. Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals while also helping to fade dark spots and promote a brighter complexion.
The serum also includes vitamin E, which is great because the antioxidant activity of vitamin E can actually become more powerful when combined with vitamin C. For this reason, vitamins C and E are referred to as “network antioxidants”.
Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Signature Anti-Aging Night Cream
This anti-aging night cream is infused with ceramides in order to deeply replenish the skin’s barrier. Specifically, the formula includes a combination of ceramides 1 and 3, plus other skin identical lipids help to promote a visibly smooth and plump appearance.
The Midnight Antioxidant Complex, featuring a detoxifying peptide, dragon fruit extract, and saskatoon berry, contributes to a healthy, youthful glow by morning.
Medik8 Liquid Peptides
This Medik8 peptide serum is filled to the brim with a unique blend of 10 powerful peptides alongside a targeted delivery system to deliver the peptides where they are needed most in the skin.
For example, the formula contains Matrixyl 3000, a blend of peptides designed to help smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, along with carnosine, an anti-A.G.E peptide that works to prevent further visible signs of aging.
Medik8 Clarity Peptides
We’d consider this Medik8 serum to be an all-around multi-tasker thanks to a combination of 10% niacinamide, Crystalide™ peptide technology, zinc PCA, and hyaluronic acid
While anyone can benefit from a niacinamide serum, this ingredient is ideal for those with congested skin, dullness, and/or uneven skin tone.
Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3 (niacin) that provides many benefits to the skin. For instance, a publication in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, states that niacinamide can repair the skin barrier and improve skin moisture, as well as reduce inflammation, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkling.
Niacinamide also has antimicrobial and sebostatic effects, meaning it can help protect against the bacteria that cause acne while also helping to reduce oil production.
And guess what? Zinc PCA has these same properties! So the combination of these ingredients really helps to tackle excess oil and congestion.
Plus, the Crystalide peptide and hyaluronic acid help to smooth the complexion, leaving a glowing, dewy finish.
What Are The Key Ingredients in Medik8 Skincare Products?
Vitamin C, peptides, and retinol make up the core ingredients for the Medik8 skincare line. These ingredients should all be part of your skincare routine. Here’s a closer look at the benefits these ingredients offer:
Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.
It’s in all three of the Medik8 C-Tetra products.
But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness.
While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.
This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size.
Peptides are used throughout the Medik8 skincare line, specifically in the peptide serums Liquid Peptides and Clarity Peptides.
If you’re looking for a peptide serum, we recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin. It also has skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Retinol
Retinol is the go-to anti-aging ingredient recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. It’s clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.
The only downside? Retinol can often lead to side effects like skin dryness, peeling, and irritation.
That’s why Medik8 uses retinaldehyde in their best-selling product, Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum.
We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.
How Much Do Medik8 Skincare Products Cost?
Medik8 skincare products are mid-range in terms of cost, with the prices being comparable to higher end drugstore brands such as Olay and Burt’s Bees. For example, the Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum costs $54 USD for 1 fl oz (30 mL).
Where to Buy Medik8 Skincare Products?
Medik8 skincare products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as numerous online retailers such as Dermstore.com, Amazon.com, and more.
What is The Medik8 Return Policy?
The Medik8 return policy states, “If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, simply return any product at least half-full within 30 days after purchase. For returns, contact us for a prepaid shipping label and send your item(s) back to us cost-free. After we receive your return, we will promptly issue you with a full product refund (to the same payment method used for purchase) or product exchange depending on your preference.”
Is Medik8 Cruelty Free?
Yes, Medik8 products are 100% animal cruelty free.
Medik8 Reviews
Medik8 reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The product with the most reviews is the Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum, which has earned an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars after more than 1,700 customer reviews.
The positive reviews for the Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum mention that it helps to reduce signs of aging while improving the overall complexion.
For example, one review says, “This has made such a difference to my skin. My skin is most definitely brighter since using. Would recommend it to others without a doubt.”
Another glowing 5-star review says, “This is by far the best product I’ve used on my skin. My skin loves this stuff, improved fine lines and skin texture without any irritation. About to take the next step up and look forward to seeing the results.”
However, there are a handful of negative reviews for the Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum, which are primarily from customers who experienced negative reactions to this serum.
For example, one review says, “Sadly I can’t give a positive review. After about a couple of weeks of use as instructed,I had to stop using the crystal retinal as I broke out in a number of spots. I was very surprised as I’ve used other retinal in the past and never had this happen . Also I’ve never had a problem with breakouts even as a teenager . I feel I wasted a lot of money on this product and I’m extremely disappointed and upset. Sorry!”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Medik8 skincare products are formulated well with a combination of research-backed ingredients, such as vitamin C, peptides, and retinol.
Pros
- Products contain beneficial key ingredients
- Many positive Medik8 reviews
- Medik8 is cruelty free
- Mid-range cost
Cons
- Some Medik8 reviews mention breakouts and reactions to the products
What Are Some Alternatives to Medik8 Skincare Products?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.
One serum we recommend is The Repair Serum. The formula contains a proprietary blend of plant-based peptides and neuropeptides that work together to promote smoother, more radiant-looking skin while soothing and brightening botanicals impart an ageless glow.
Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B9 deliver an instant boost of hydration as a blend of synthesized, natural plant growth factors that encourage natural cell turnover and nutrient absorption to nourish and transform dull, uneven-looking skin.
