Heads are turning for the truly incredible skin-tightening benefits of Medik8’s award winning anti- ageing serum, Crystal Retinal™.
Vitamin A is a powerful skincare ingredient that helps effectively fight visible signs of ageing. Medik8’s next-generation anti-ageing product, Crystal Retinal™ is a groundbreaking night serum that helps firm, plump and resurface the skin, visibly minimising ne lines and wrinkles to deliver a more youthful-looking and even- toned complexion.
Crystal Retinal™ is formulated with retinaldehyde, a super-charged derivative of Vitamin A that works in synergy with skin to help promote cellular turnover.
Retinoids may cause mild irritation when you start using them including redness, irritation and flaking. This is normal and a sign that your skin is adjusting to having an abundant source of beneficial Vitamin A. However, 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. It’s also now easier to help your skin adjust to the powerful effects of retinaldehyde with a recent expansion of the Crystal Retinal™ family.
The range now incorporates four different strengths of the serum which provide a stepping-stone to the higher and more effective levels of Crystal Retinal 6 & 10™. Medik8 Head of Research, Daniel Isaacs, explained the importance of building up the level of Vitamin A over time: ‘It is extremely important to ease your skin into using retinoids gently. 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.’
Other non-prescription Vitamin A treatments, such as retinol, have a similar beneficial skin-lifting effect; however this needs to be converted into retinoic acid by the skin before it can take effect, a process that requires a two-step conversion. Unlike retinol, Crystal Retinal™ only requires one conversion to retinoic acid which means it can deliver results up to 11 times faster!
Crystal Retinal™ works by capturing the powerful active ingredient, retinaldehyde, into a crystal molecular vehicle that is broken down by the skin’s natural enzymes upon contact. This unique action controls the release of Vitamin A-rich retinaldehyde to ensure that the formula remains stable and is absorbed constantly throughout the night.
At the same time as delivering the powerful anti-ageing benefits of Vitamin A, Crystal Retinal™ contains multi- weight hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E which hydrates the skin and reinforces the skin’s barrier to keep moisture locked in tight.
Unlike many other forms of Vitamin A, retinaldehyde also boasts direct, powerful anti-bacterial properties, making it the ideal anti-ageing product for blemish- prone skin. When used over time, Crystal Retinal™ helps to diminish P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for breakouts, promoting a healthy-looking, balanced complexion. CBM
Where to get it
Medik8 is available at select skin clinics across Australia. For stockists, visit www.medik8.com.au or call 1800 242 011
Retinol Q&A with Medik8 Director of Research
Daniel Isaacs
What is Retinol?
Retinol is the form of Vitamin A traditionally used in skincare products throughout the beauty industry. There are different types of retinol derivatives such as retinol, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate and retinyl retinoate.
What sort of retinol is in Crystal Retinal™?
We use retinaldehyde in the Crystal Retinal™ range, a form of Vitamin A, which has been proven to improve skin condition in credible studies published in scientific c journals. This is why we do not use traditional retinol esters such as retinyl palmitate, where clinical trials show little-to-zero effects.
How does Crystal Retinal™ work?
Retinaldehyde in Crystal Retinal™ works up to 11 times faster than traditional retinol and has anti-bacterial properties which are great for blemish-prone skin types. It works directly on the skin to produce a plumping and tightening effect and helps speed up the skin renewal process.
Why use Crystal Retinal™ at night time?
Retinaldehyde is inherently sensitive to the sun. When exposed to UV rays it breaks down and becomes ineffective. Applying retinaldehyde in the morning may cause it to breakdown before producing those really beneficial effects of Vitamin A and therefore we always recommend applying the serum at nighttime.
Are there side effects?
Retinoids can cause mild irritation when you first start using them, but this is completely normal and is an indication that your skin is adjusting to having an abundant source of this beneficial vitamin. These side effects include redness, irritation and flaking of the skin as the retinoid is stimulating skin renewal. This is why it is so important to utilise the different strengths within the Crystal Retinal™ range and ease into the benefits of using Vitamin A on your skin.
Who should not use retinol products?
Retinol products are not advised for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
