Index / Medik8 / Crystal Retinal 24
Medik8

Crystal Retinal 24.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24
Retinoids

About this product

A high-strength retinoid serum containing 0.24% retinaldehyde, designed to reduce fine lines, improve skin firmness, and boost collagen production.

Best for

Type

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Full ingredients

Guru Score

94%

Approved

4 experts · Moderate agreement
4Gurus
4Approved
0Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

This serum's 0.24% retinaldehyde concentration ranks among the highest available without a prescription, and gurus praise its visible results on fine lines and jawline firmness, even for those already deep into retinoid use. The trade-off is real: expect more dryness and sensitivity than lower-strength options, so this one is best for people who have used retinoids steadily for at least a year and have gradually worked up through Medik8's weaker strengths first. The encapsulated formula and antioxidant blend help buffer irritation, though the vanilla scent (from coumarin) may not suit sensitive skin.
Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take May 2026
Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
Approved
"It doesn't get stronger than this. I love the fact that it's encapsulated, which is going to reduce the risk of any side effects and irritation. And I like the fact that they've packed this full of antioxidants and hydrators to minimize the risk of any dryness or peeling, flaking that you might experience. For the lovers of Medik8 out there that have tried the Medik8 Crystal Retinal line but want to go for the highest option, I would fully recommend this. It's roughly 20% stronger than their next one down, so that's a big jump. But as long as you've gradually gone up through the gradients, you should have no problem incorporating this."
Top Pick: strongest retinol
All 3 takes from Mad About Skin
GREATEST SKINCARE PRODUCTS 2026 - Skincare Awards 2026 (Summer Edition)
"Retinol is my personal favorite. This is 20% stronger than the next equivalent strength and it packs a punch. I absolutely love it and it's just my personal favorite."
THE END FOR RETINOL - Anti Aging Just Levelled Up (Best Retinoid Serums)
"It doesn't get stronger than this. I love the fact that it's encapsulated, which is going to reduce the risk of any side effects and irritation. And I like the fact that they've packed this full of antioxidants and hydrators to minimize the risk of any dryness or peeling, flaking that you might experience. For the lovers of Medik8 out there that have tried the Medik8 Crystal Retinal line but want to go for the highest option, I would fully recommend this. It's roughly 20% stronger than their next one down, so that's a big jump. But as long as you've gradually gone up through the gradients, you should have no problem incorporating this."
Move Over Retinol - WORLDS STRONGEST ANTI AGING SERUM
"I've been using this product for the past month. I'm an established retinoid user I've been using them for the past 6 years and so I didn't expect to see a whole lot of change with this product so I was pleasantly surprised when I genuinely did. I started to see the emergence of fine lines and wrinkles around the crow's feet, around the laughter lines and the 11s. I've also noticed a little bit of loss of firmness around the jawline. Whilst the results I saw from this weren't like transformative and game-changing, they were noticeable enough that I could see them with my own naked eye when I looked in the mirror. One thing I did notice though is I did see an increase in dryness, sensitivity and irritation. That should be expected after all, I'm using a roughly 20% higher dose of retinoids in this versus what I was using before. With a higher concentration you usually will see an increase in side effects and irritation. It wasn't particularly unpleasant or anything really to suggest that you shouldn't be using it but it's definitely something to be aware of. I think this is the sort of product that really should only be used by people that are established retinoid users, having incorporated them successfully probably for the past 12 months. I wasn't wildly impressed with the price point."
Approved
"I've been able to tolerate the retin by Medik8. This is their 24 Crystal Retinal, their strongest that they make, but I've honestly been able to tolerate it even over the Tria laser treatments. I'm on level three and I've been doing it about five times a week."
All 2 takes from Beyond50Skin
Black Friday + Cyber Monday 2025: Best Skincare, Makeup & Body Deals
"I've been working through two of their retinol products. This is the Crystal Retinal 24 and their eye cream with retinaldehyde. One conversion away from the prescription formula tretinoin. Love both of these. They are a little bit on the colorful side. So you may want to consider letting this dry down for at least a half an hour before you jump into your white satin sheets."
Real Life Skincare: Messy Morning, Takeout Night & a Relaxing PM Glow Routine
"I've been able to tolerate the retin by Medik8. This is their 24 Crystal Retinal, their strongest that they make, but I've honestly been able to tolerate it even over the Tria laser treatments. I'm on level three and I've been doing it about five times a week."
Approved
"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 has 0.24% retinaldehyde, so I believe it's probably the highest retinaldehyde concentration out there that I can think of nonprescription. It also contains cloudberry seed oil and vitamin E. It does contain vanilla and coumarin, which is a fragrance ingredient that gives products a vanilla scent, so it definitely has a vanilla scent in there, so keep that in mind if your skin is sensitive. These are not cheap, they get to be pretty pricey."
Approved
"If somebody says to me if you could choose one retinoid, I would choose the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 because it's not quite the strongest on the market."
Top Pick: retinal
Common questions

Frequently asked.

What is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24?

A high-strength retinoid serum containing 0.24% retinaldehyde, designed to reduce fine lines, improve skin firmness, and boost collagen production.

Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 worth it?

Yes. All 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 94%.

What is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24's Guru Score?

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 holds a Guru Score of 94%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 independent expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

Who is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 best for?

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 is generally suited to mature skin.

Spend less, score well

Same formula, worth a look.

Products built around the same core actives as this one, with what the experts make of each.

See how they stack up →
You might also like

Similar products worth a look.

Other products the same gurus have weighed in on, plus more from this brand and category.

Compare side by side →

This week's top beauty news, in your inbox.

A weekly read of the takes worth catching up on: the raves, the splits, the ones the gurus won't shut up about. Free, no spam, unsubscribe whenever.

Subscribe to the digest