Crystal Retinal 6.

"For a more pricey option I really love the retinaldehyde from Medik8. Retinaldehyde is just as effective as retinol with similar irritancy, so it's a great gentler option."

"Medik8 has a great retinal ingredient as well that has long-standing history, great data, very stable, and less irritating."

"The ease of use and the range of different strengths, and also the retinal is encapsulated in here, so that's going to mean far less irritation than other versions of it. If you're somebody that has very sensitive skin or sensitivity prone skin, this is a great option for you because that encapsulation is just going to make it delayed prolonged release so you get less risk of those side effects and irritation all around. This has been in my routine on and off for the past six years. I think it stood the test of time for a reason. It's a great product. When it comes to drawbacks, the price point is not the cheapest, but with inflation over the past two years, a lot of skincare products have gone up in price and Medik8 haven't actually put the price of their products up, so what used to be quite a high price brand actually seems a lot more reasonable when you look at the competitors that have put their prices up. [...] For the encapsulation and that gentle application, Medik8 we're leading the way. The price is the one drawback, the one con. Of course, if you're looking for fragrance free, this isn't going to be it, but for me it's delicate, it's light fragrance. I personally love that. It comes down to personal choice. I'm going to give this a solid 9 out of 10. If it was a little bit cheaper it'd probably be 10 out of 10."

"My absolute favorite luxury retinal is the Medik8 Crystal Retinal range. This range costs a lot more than some of the other options but I think is totally worth it if your budget will stretch to it. The reason I say this is it's encapsulated, so very friendly to sensitive skin types, and the fact that you have different strengths I think is fairly unique to Medik8. They have seven different strength options and this will allow you to start with the lowest strength, use it up, then go to the next strength and so forth. It's really easy and makes it super simple to know exactly how to graduate up strength to incorporate retinal successfully into your skincare routine. It kind of takes the guesswork out of it, and for that I think it's definitely worth that slightly higher price point. It's got a beautiful blend of different hydrators to offset any dryness that you could see a lot of people do experience when they first use a retinoid, and the fact that this is packed full of some of the best hydrating ingredients I've seen means it really offsets some of that. It's really conscientiously formulated to give the very best results."

"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal collection was the original and some people still say the best when it comes to retinol. Super kind to the skin, very nourishing, very hydrating, won't trigger any sensitivity and irritation if you use it correctly, and just a really really nice retinol product."

"I genuinely think medicate transformed retinoids and the whole retinoid landscape when they introduced this crystal retinol range."

"This is the Medik8 Crystal Retinal, which is phenomenal because they have six different strengths. You start on the lowest and build your way up, and that way you can further minimize the risk of sensitivity by gently introducing this ingredient. It's also less sensitizing on the skin than retinol, so it's one of those few times where you can get better results and less sensitivity out of a product, and that honestly for me is like holy grail territory."

"This was a revelation for me when I first used it. It's just an allround hero product that I absolutely love. The fact that they have got three strengths is like the cherry on the top because you can start with the lowest strength and work your way up as your skin becomes more tolerant of the [retinal]."

"I think the Medik8 one has a slightly better formulation in terms of hydration, but nothing to justify that huge price differential."

"Big fan of the product, but know that you can still get that up to 11 times greater benefit from other retinels which come at a lower price point"

"This is one of the most hydrating formulas I have ever found. And it just means that if you use this, even if you go in with one of the higher dose options, you won't get that sensitivity, that dryness, that tight feeling because they've really thought about that formulation."

"Previously the only brand that actually did it was Medik8 with their Crystal Retinal collection which I love. [...] The Medik8 one is an old goodie, like the original, which will always have a place in my heart and in my routine."

"This is retinal, a fantastic over-the-counter option in terms of retinoids. It's still going to boost collagen and elastin production, still going to organize that collagen in a more strategic way, but does so with less side effects and irritation. [...] The accessibility is there because it's just so much easier to get something over the counter versus on prescription. This is the Medik8 Crystal Retinal range, which I genuinely think is probably the best over the counter retinoid you're going to use, but there's lots of other options at different price points."

"Medik8 have 10 different strengths of their retinal product, the Medik8 Crystal Retinal Collection, and they really supercharged our retinoid game when they came out with this product. It was one of the first over-the-counter retinols available, and now every brand is following suit. They really led the way, which will always have my heart. They do 10 different strengths, starting at a 1, working your way up to a 24. The Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 is the world's strongest over-the-counter retinoid, doesn't get stronger than this, and whilst it comes in a slightly higher price point, if you're wanting maximum anti-aging, this is where it's at. But again, you could start with one of the lower strengths and work your way up."

"If money was no objection, I would go for the Medik8 Crystal Retinal line. This is beautiful. Beautiful in texture, but it is quite a lot more expensive. So, you have to see if that would be worth it for you."

"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 was my husband's absolute favorite because he loved the texture and the way it felt on his skin. It is also way more expensive than the other ones, so I'm not sure it'll become a staple, since he's not willing to spend as much on skincare as I am."

"The Medik8 Crystal Retinol in strength six is a firm favorite here in this house. [...] I use prescription Tretinoin, but my husband loves this. We'd usually buy the one from Geek and Gorgeous because it's much more affordable, but this one is more elegant in texture."

"I am a huge fan of the Medik8 Crystal Retinal formulas, based on both their very pleasant texture as well as on their comprehensive and easy approach to the different strengths and how to go up their strength ladder. No matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned retinal user, they have an option for you, ranging from Crystal Retinal 1 at 0.01% up to Crystal Retinal 24 at 0.24%, the highest concentration you can get at the moment. The texture is a lightweight lotion that absorbed instantly and didn't leave any tackiness behind, and out of all the retinoid products I made my husband try, this was by far his favorite. It has a distinct warm scent, very pleasant but definitely noticeable. The packaging is a tube with a dispenser, which I quite liked, though my husband found it difficult to keep standing upright and said it needed a few extra pumps once it neared the end. The retinal in the formula is stabilized, which is a good thing since retinal is unstable on its own. It also contains emollients like squalane, humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, antioxidants like vitamin E, two vitamin C derivatives, and fragrant plant extracts like honeysuckle. They are however quite expensive, and I understand that this might be more than you are willing to pay for 30 ml of product, and for that there are more affordable alternatives out there that will have similar results with minor compromises in texture and options to choose from."

"I am on prescription Tretinoin so I don't personally use retinoids, but having my husband as my guinea pig testing over the counter options, here is what he would suggest: if money isn't an issue, Medik8 Crystal Retinal has the best texture."

"If you're looking for something that's a little bit more on the serum like texture, consider Medik8. They have crystal retinol 3 and 6. They also give you that choice so you can control the amount of retinol in your formula. Obviously, 3 is a little bit lower, 6 is a little bit stronger, so you kind of have that choice and you can kind of tweak it to your skin's readiness. Both of these formulas are exquisite formulas, well put together, and come with a bit of a higher price tag, but they are also great multitaskers. Clinical grade powerhouses. This is for those of you who are experienced retinoid users and you want the strongest option over the counter before you go on to a prescription formula. Very elegant formula. Actually quite well tolerated. I can use this formula without a ton of irritation. I may not be able to use it 7 days a week, but I can definitely use it up to 4 days a week."

"My bougie or luxury pick for a retinal would be the Medik8 Crystal Retinal. This is beautiful as a gift; it comes in this beautiful silver packaging with a little red ribbon that would be the perfect gift I would love to see under the tree."

"If you love The Crystal Retinol and I've been using it for quite a few years now I really love it, there is now a Crystal Retinol 24, obviously that's a play on the fact that it's 2024, but that is 0.24% retinaldehyde. Retinaldehyde as I've mentioned before is the next metabolic step, so retinol is metabolized to retinaldehyde, that then gets metabolized to retinoic acid which is the active form of vitamin A in the skin. This is the strongest one you can get in the UK."

"I like this around the eyes because it does not irritate your eyes, especially if a lot of people had really bad experiences with [...] retinoids. [...] Retinaldehyde is actually more potent than retinols but tends to be more gentle on the skin. [...] I like this around the eyes because it's also got the ceramide so it's very kind of soothing. I've had problems with retinols but I've never had any problems with retinaldehydes."

"It's a perfectly formulated product in slightly imperfect packaging so you do need to squeeze it down to get the last of it out. Crystal Retinal 20 is the equivalent of a two percent retinaldehyde so we're talking basically 10 times the strength of that, 20 times the strength of that. You need to work up slowly, don't start on the 10 or the 20 like me because I've been using retinals and retinols for years work your way up go three six eight and then up basically."

"I've been using Medik8's Crystal Retinal for the longest time. These were my precursor to tretinoin, another gold standard ingredient for treating pigmentation."

"If it's nonprescription, then I am all about the retinol derivatives, but my favorite is still the Medicaid Crystal Retinol. It's a great formula, it's a stable formula, and during the time when I was using it my skin looked so good."

"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is a really nicely formulated retinoid that is a bit on the stronger side."

"Medik8 Crystal Retinal is another product that I have loved for the longest time. I have loved this since I tried it 5 years ago, it was the product that really sold me on the idea of retinal. They have a whole bunch of different strengths so you can step up and step down, and even the 24 doesn't make me peel much at all. The base is also really moisturizing, and it has some carrot oil in it which has antioxidants."

"The Medik8 Crystal Retinol is my favorite retinol product. I've been seeing more retinol on the market and a lot of other retinol products are really bright yellow, which like they'll still work, but it's just a bit off-putting because you can actually see it on your skin."

"I absolutely love [retinaldehyde]. It's what I use on my neck and chest because [tretinoin] in any format just has no success there on me. I get way too irritated."

"Retinol is one conversion step away from retinoic acid. So when you put it on, your skin has to convert it into essentially retinoic acid in your skin for it to be effective. But that also makes it more gentle. And the thing I love about Medik8 Crystal Retinal is that they have multiple strengths. You can start with something very low potency, using it a few nights a week, working your way up to daily, and then [...] once you get through a whole tube of that nightly without irritation, you move up to the next strength. [...] When it comes to using retinoids, which we use for fine lines and wrinkles, supporting our skin, keeping our skin plump and rejuvenated and even over time, it is a marathon, not a sprint. So if you have to spend 6 to 9 months getting your skin acclimated to your retinoid, to me that is absolutely worth it."

"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal is a formula I use and recommend all the time. The main job of this is anti-aging, reversing fine lines and wrinkles, helping with pigmentation, helping with dullness. This is a topical retinoid, so it's a form of topical vitamin A that helps with skin cell turnover, helps you make new collagen, and helps slow down the breakdown of the collagen you currently have. Number one, it's a retinal, so in your skin retinol gets converted to retinaldehyde which gets converted to retinoic acid, which is actually the active molecule that's exerting all those positive effects on your skin. So when you start with something like retinaldehyde, you're already one step closer to the active version when you're putting it on your skin. Secondly, they have a patented way that they introduce the retinaldehyde into this formula and thus determines how that retinaldehyde interacts with your skin. It's better absorbed, it's more stable. The huge issue with topical retinoids is that they're very unstable, so sometimes the formula that you get and what it says on the packaging is not really what's actually making it to your face because that product is breaking down or becoming destabilized while it's sitting on the shelf."

"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal is more potent than the average retinoid product that you can get and it's also very well formulated, it's well stabilized. It's fantastic."

"One of my all-time favorite retinaldehyde products is made by Medik8. They have this Crystal Retinal system with five different retinal potencies, so you can start at Retinal 1, which is 0.01% retinaldehyde, then they have 3, which is 0.03%, 6 which is 0.06%, 10 which is 0.1%, and 20 which is 0.2% retinaldehyde. If you're new to retinol you can start at level 1 or 3, and as you're able to go through an entire tube without irritation and you're liking the results, you can kind of level up progressively without risking some of the irritation that's very common when using retinoids. You don't need to go all the way up to Crystal Retinal 20 in order to get the amazing benefits of regular retinoid use. I much prefer consistency over potency, so if you need to stay at Crystal Retinal 3 or 6, that is completely fine. You will still see amazing benefits for your skin."

"Another topical retinoid that I really love is by Medik8 and it's their Crystal Retinal. [...] The reason I like the Medik8 Crystal Retinal is because one, Medik8 is sort of a pioneer when it comes to formulating really stable effective retinoids that can be accessible to many different people, but I also love that this system incorporates various strengths so it has five different strengths of retinol so you can start with something a lot more gentle and as you see the progress and as your skin begins to tolerate those stronger retinoids you can work your way up in the system."

"It contains retinaldehyde, which is the best type of retinoid you can get without a prescription to give you results the quickest, but with less irritation. This is a good product. I [...] have used it. But this has fragrance. [...] Fragrance doesn't always bother me in skincare, [...] but this fragrance just bothers me a little bit after I use it for a while, so I tend to steer away from this. I don't use this on my face. [...] I have some other more budget-friendly retinaldehyde options for the face that I think work just as well, and I don't necessarily feel like I have to splurge for this one. So it is not in my routine."

"Another budget all-time favorite Ral deide product is by m love the Moonlight serum"

"I spend the majority of my skincare budget on my single most effective nighttime anti-aging product, maybe it's a retinol. I really want that product to do the most and to last a long time. This is an example by Medik8. It's a pricey product, it's a retinol product. You don't need to use it every single night to get those results. In fact, I encourage you not to use it every night because your skin barrier will thank you if you give it some rest nights. Try to space this out to every other night or even just three times a week. You can still get results. You are going to protect that skin barrier from breakdown and you're going to make this product last longer and get more for your money."

"I've worked my way up to the retinal 6, it's what I'm on right now. It's amazing. It's not cheap though."

"I was really looking for a ladder to start low and build from there. I have so many of my followers that are looking for different strength, that have different skin types, different problems, that really need more than just this one size fits all product that just doesn't work for everybody. So Medik8 actually has multiple strength products. Their face serum starts at Retinol 1 and goes up to 24, which is like super strong expert level, but they have so many options so you really can tailor this to your own skin, which for me as a dermatologist is so important. I love that you can customize your own skincare routine so much more easily."

"I also love this brand because there's multiple strengths of the eye cream and a face cream so you can start low with like a retinal eye cream three then you can go to six and 10. I recommend avoid the urge to just go all out start with the lowest strength of both of these and increase as tolerated and as needed to titrate your results and balance them with the side effects."

"I do think that for $15 this is amazing, one of the best things you can get for under $15. I'm loving it. However, are there better retinoids out there? Yes. Like the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6, that's better. This is actually better, I think, than the Youth to the People retinal."

"There's retinaldehyde, this is amazing, it is so potent and it's so good. It's the most potent form of a retinoid that you can get without seeing a doctor for a prescription. One of my favorites is from Medik8. I believe they're either an Australian or a British brand, I'm pretty sure they're Australian, but they are fantastic. The Crystal Retinal Serum is so potent and so good. If you have adult acne, this is where you want to get to."

"This is a retinal serum and retinal is the more potent version of retinol which I freaking love. The ingredients are looking really good and it has a nice golden color. This seems like a very elevated, more medical line."