Meet Crystal RetinalTM 20, Medki8’s newest and most powerful addition to its award-winning Vitamin A skincare range.
PSA: Medik8 have just released their new groundbreaking serum and the future of ageing has never looked so bright. Crystal RetinalTM 20 is double the strength of their current highest Crystal RetinalTM formula, making it their most powerful addition yet.
The Crystal Retinal™ range is formulated with retinaldehyde, a super-charged derivative of Vitamin A that works in synergy with skin to help promote cellular turnover. In turn, it helps firm, plump and resurface the skin, visibly minimising fine lines and wrinkles to deliver a more youthful-looking and even-toned complexion.
The range incorporates five different strengths of the anti-ageing, skin-smoothing serum which provide a stepping-stone to Crystal Retinal 20, the most groundbreaking level of the Crystal Retinal range and only available through a skin therapist. You’ll need to have used Crystal Retinal 10 continuously for 3 months in order to power up to Crystal Retinal 20. Starting at a lower level will allow your skin some time to get used to Vitamin A, and you can then introduce higher strengths as your skin becomes accustomed to it.
Retinol and RetinalTM: please explain
Vitamin A is actually a group of related compounds or derivatives, with the most common derivatives used in skincare being retinol, retinal and retinoic acid (clinical-grade).
Retinoic acid is the strongest form of Vitamin A on the market. It works rapidly to significantly combat signs of ageing, but it also comes with extensive side effects – excessive dryness, peeling, redness and irritation to name a few. For this reason, it is only available by prescription from a doctor.
Retinol is the most popular form of over-the-counter vitamin A. It also provides significant anti-ageing results. When applied topically, it must be converted into retinoic acid by the skin before it can take effect, a process that requires a two-step conversion.
This two-step conversion slows down the effect of retinoic acid on the skin, which means less irritation, but it also means you have more of a wait before seeing results.
Always eager to improve and innovate, Medik8 researchers have harnessed the power of a new, advanced form of Vitamin A, retinaldehyde, which is the star ingredient in its Crystal Retinal range.
Unlike retinol, which must first be converted to retinaldehyde and then to retinoic acid within the skin, Crystal Retinal only requires one conversion to retinoic acid. This means it can deliver results comparable to clinical-grade Vitamin A up to 11x faster than classic forms of retinol.
However, retinaldehyde is almost impossible to stabilise; hence the lack of products including the ingredient on the market. Rising to the challenge, the scientists at Medik8 were the first to stabilise this ingredient through a double-layered stabilisation system; combining an ingenious crystal encapsulation that gives the range its name with a patent-pending formula stabilisation complex to maximise the retinaldehyde’s stability.
Next-gen anti-ageing results
Crystal RetinalTM 20 is formulated with stabilised retinal, a powerful derivative of Vitamin A with next-generation anti-ageing results. Unmatched in its age-defying power, retinal can deliver results comparable to clinical-grade Vitamin A up to 11 times faster than classic forms of retinol.
The groundbreaking overnight serum visibly minimises fine lines and wrinkles; firming and plumping the appearance of the complexion to resurface skin texture and soften the face. Featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin and Vitamin E, it hydrates skin at every level to deliver a visibly supple, even-toned, more youthful-looking complexion. More than that, it actively helps reduce blemish-causing bacteria to keep skin looking clear and balanced. In just four weeks, skin is noticeably younger, smoother and undeniably radiant.
Science behind Crystal RetinalTM
Superior absorption – Crystal RetinalTM has a patented time-release delivery system that encapsulates retinaldehyde in a crystal molecular vehicle that is broken down by the skin’s natural enzymes upon contact. This unique action controls the release of the active to ensure that the formula remains stable, absorption is optimised and the highly potent formula is distributed evenly and constantly throughout the night.
Double-layered stabilisation system – Retinaldehyde is notoriously difficult to stabilise, but thanks to a collaboration between Medik8 and the University of Hertfordshire, Crystal RetinalTM features crystal encapsulation of retinaldehyde within a patent-pending stabilisation complex to keep the formula stable. This ensures maximum potency of the product to deliver exceptional results.
Optimum hydration – Featuring multi-weight hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, Crystal Retinal level while helping strengthen the skin’s barrier to keep moisture locked in tight.
Kind to skin – Medik8’s time-release stability system ensures that Crystal Retinal is released slowly and steadily throughout the night, meaning it won’t overwhelm the skin. Remarkably, although Crystal Retinal has results comparable to clinical grade retinoic acid, it remains as gentle on the skin as traditional retinols.
Virtually weightless – Lightweight and luxurious, Crystal Retinal’s silk-like texture sinks effortlessly into skin to nurture and restore the complexion.
Antibacterial properties – Unlike many other forms of vitamin A, retinaldehyde boasts direct, powerful antibacterial properties, making it an ideal anti-ageing product for blemish-prone skin. When used over time, it helps diminish P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for breakouts, promoting a healthy-looking, balanced complexion.
Where to get it
Crystal RetinalTM 20 is only available in clinics through therapist consultation. The existing retail line-up of Crystal Retinal strengths 1, 3, 6 and 10 remain in full distribution and available to buy online as usual. Check your local Medk8 clinic or visit www.medki8.com.au
Vitamin A – the hero anti-ageing ingredient
Research proves that Vitamin A has an incredible effect on the skin and is one of the most important anti-ageing skincare ingredients to repair, restore and regenerate your skin. It is one of the only molecules that can actually assist in re-programming cells, resulting in healthier, more radiant skin.
Our skin doesn’t make Vitamin A, so our bodies can become deficient over time. The ageing of skin is triggered by environmental factors such as pollution and sun exposure, which causes the loss of important vitamins such as Vitamin A, along with key antioxidants and Vitamins C, E, pro-vitamin B5 and beta-carotene. This results in uneven skin tone, wrinkles and loss of firmness.
Vitamin A needs to be replaced every day to reduce sun damage, and the best way to top up is through topical application. Regular application of a Vitamin A derivative thickens and stimulates the dermis, where your collagen, elastin and blood vessels are, so it helps to reduce wrinkles, improve acne and hyperpigmentation, and increases blood flow to the surface of the skin. As a result, your skin looks younger, healthier, smoother and more even toned.
The numbers
- 95% of users reported smoother skin texture after using Crystal RetinalTM 6 for 4 weeks*
- 75% felt that the appearance of fine lines is significantly reduced*
- 80% felt that their skin looked noticeably more youthful*
- 85% of users said that overall skin tone is improved and complexion is clarified*
*In a trial of 20 people using Crystal Retinal 6 over 4 weeks
