Crystal Retinal: one step at a time
Medik8's vitamin A range, formulated with retinaldehyde. Unlike retinol, retinal needs one conversion step fewer to become the active form within the skin, which is why Medik8 describes it as a route up to 11 times faster for working on wrinkles, texture and tone.
Why retinal rather than retinol
Both are vitamin A. The difference lies in how many steps each one needs to become retinoic acid, which is the form the skin actually uses.
One step fewer
Retinol needs two conversions within the skin; retinal, only one. That shortcut is what speeds up results.
Built for tolerance
The range climbs in small increments precisely so you can progress without punishing your skin along the way.
Wrinkles and texture
It acts on cell turnover and collagen production, which is what translates into smoother texture and fewer fine lines.
Always at night
Vitamin A is applied at night and requires high sun protection the next morning, without exception.
The scale, from lowest to highest
You start at the bottom and move up only when your skin handles the current step without tightness or flaking. Moving up too fast is the most common mistake, and it usually ends in irritation and giving up.
Most skins start at 1 or 3, and many stay at 6 indefinitely with very good results. Reaching the top is not the goal.
Crystal Retinal 1
First contactFor anyone who has never used vitamin A or has reactive skin. The most cautious way to begin.
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Crystal Retinal 3
The usual starting pointThe most common entry step if you have not used retinoids before but your skin is not especially sensitive.
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Crystal Retinal 6
The middle stepThe best seller of the range. For skin that already tolerates retinal well and wants more visible results.
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Crystal Retinal 10
High strengthMore pronounced results on wrinkles and texture, for skin with previous experience of vitamin A.
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Crystal Retinal 20
IntensiveDesigned for deep wrinkles and uneven texture, on skin already accustomed to high strengths.
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Crystal Retinal 24
The highest stepThe highest strength in the range. It only makes sense as a final step, never as a starting point.
View product →And for the eye area
The skin around the eyes is far thinner than the rest of the face. The Ceramide Eye line adapts the same formula with ceramides that reinforce the barrier in that area.
Ceramide Eye 3
Eye area · entry levelThe entry point to retinal around the eyes, with the lowest strength in the line.
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Ceramide Eye 6
Eye area · mid levelFor pronounced expression lines, once the area already handles the previous step well.
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Ceramide Eye 10
Eye area · high levelThe highest strength for the eye area, on skin with previous experience there.
View product →How to move up without irritation
Most people who give up on vitamin A do so in the first three weeks, and almost always because they went too fast.
Start slowly
Two or three nights a week, on clean, dry skin, and using very little. More product does not give better results, only more irritation.
Increase the frequency
Once you have gone several weeks without discomfort, move to alternate nights and then to daily use if your skin allows it.
Move up a step
Only once you are using the current one daily and comfortably. The first visible changes usually appear between weeks 8 and 12.
Sun protection, always
Vitamin A increases the skin's sensitivity to the sun. A high SPF every morning is not optional when using retinal: without it you not only risk irritation, you may end up creating dark spots while trying to improve texture.
Which step should you start on?
Tell us what your skin is like and what you have used before, and we will tell you which one to start with and how fast to move up. No obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Which one do I start with if I have never used retinol?
Crystal Retinal 1 if your skin is sensitive or reactive, and Crystal Retinal 3 in every other case. Starting on a high step speeds nothing up: what usually happens is that it irritates, forces you to stop, and you end up taking longer.
When can I move up in strength?
When you are using the current one every night without tightness, redness or flaking, and have been doing so for several weeks. There is no rush: a great many people stay at 6 indefinitely and get good results.
Is it normal for skin to flake at first?
Mild dryness or flaking in the first few weeks is common. If you get stinging, persistent redness or marked tightness, space out the applications and boost hydration before carrying on.
Can I use it with vitamin C or with acids?
The usual pairing is vitamin C in the morning and retinal at night, which works very well. Stacking exfoliating acids on the same night as retinal is, however, usually too much for most skin.
Can it be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Retinoids are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor and, in the meantime, there are alternatives such as niacinamide or peptides.
Can I use it in summer?
Yes, always with high sun protection and avoiding intense exposure. If you are going to spend days at the beach or in the mountains, the sensible thing is to pause it and pick it up again afterwards.
Medik8® and Crystal Retinal® are registered trademarks of Medik8. Cosmetic products are not medicines, and this page is not medical advice nor a substitute for assessment by a healthcare professional. Retinoids are not indicated during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Results vary depending on skin type, consistency of use and sun protection.