Medik8 - Crystal Retinal 20

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20 is an evening serum with encapsulated retinaldehyde, the highest concentration in the Crystal Retinal range at Olivida. Retinaldehyde is a form of vitamin A that helps the skin renew its cells. If this is your first time using vitamin A, start with the entry strength, Crystal Retinal 3, instead.

Who is Crystal Retinal 20 for?

Crystal Retinal 20 from Medik8 suits normal, dry, combination and oily skin, provided your skin is already used to a high strength of vitamin A. You're ready for this step once you've comfortably finished at least one full tube of Crystal Retinal 10. Olivida recommends this serum for stubborn fine lines, wrinkles, a dull complexion or pigmentation on experienced skin. If you've never worked with vitamin A before, start with Crystal Retinal 3 instead.

How do you use Crystal Retinal 20?

Cleanse your face, neck and décolletage first with a cleanser. In the evening, apply two pumps of Crystal Retinal 20 to your face and neck and let it absorb. Follow with a moisturiser, ideally the Advanced Night Restore from Medik8.

Build up the frequency: use it two evenings a week for the first two weeks. Then add one evening a week until you're using it daily. Always use a sunscreen in the morning.

Which strength suits you?

At Olivida, you buy Medik8's Crystal Retinal range in four strengths, rising in concentration of encapsulated retinaldehyde. Crystal Retinal 20 sits right at the top of that ladder and isn't the strength to start with.

• Crystal Retinal 3: The very first step, for zero experience with vitamin A.
• Crystal Retinal 6: The second step, once Crystal Retinal 3 no longer causes any issues.
• Crystal Retinal 10: One step below this page, for practiced skin.
• Crystal Retinal 20: This page, the highest concentration in the range.

Key ingredients

Medik8 uses its own stabilisation system in Crystal Retinal 20. According to the manufacturer, this keeps the serum effective down to the last drop.

Retinal (Retinaldehyde). The form of vitamin A in Crystal Retinal 20, at the highest concentration in the range at Olivida. This form needs only one conversion step to become active in the skin, fewer than retinol. That gives a noticeable effect on uneven skin texture and fine lines.

Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid). A moisture-binding ingredient that holds water in the upper skin layers. That makes skin feel more supple while you work with a high strength of vitamin A.

Glycerin. Binds moisture to the outer skin layer and limits moisture loss, so skin feels more comfortable while you use a high strength of vitamin A.

Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E). This antioxidant captures free radicals and protects the skin against this form of cell damage.

Full ingredient list (INCI)

Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Cyclodextrin, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Retinal, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Sodium Polyaspartate, Climbazole, Disodium EDTA, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dipteryx Odorata (Tonka) Bean Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Decylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, BHT, Coumarin.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Crystal Retinal 20 and Crystal Retinal 10?

Crystal Retinal 20 from Medik8 contains a higher concentration of encapsulated retinaldehyde than Crystal Retinal 10. Both are the two highest strengths in the Crystal Retinal range at Olivida.

Can you use Crystal Retinal 20 during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Crystal Retinal 20 contains retinaldehyde, a vitamin A derivative that's not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If in doubt, talk to your midwife or doctor.

Why do you need to build up Crystal Retinal 20 instead of using it daily straight away?

Crystal Retinal 20 contains the highest concentration of retinaldehyde in the range, and Medik8 prescribes building up as a necessary step at this strength. Can't work out a schedule that suits you? Contact Olivida's customer service team.

Does Medik8 also make an eye version of Crystal Retinal 20?

Medik8 makes a separate range for the eye area, the Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye, in strengths 3, 6 and 10. A version at the level of Crystal Retinal 20 doesn't exist. Take a look at the Ceramide Eye 6 or the Ceramide Eye 10.