water-filters
Crystal Retinal 6
Medik8 is the industry leader in stabilized retinaldehyde, which converts to retinoic acid 11x faster than standard retinol. Their patented crystal encapsulation ensures the volatile molecule remains potent until it hits the skin, minimizing irritation while maximizing collagen synthesis.
Quality & Materials
Features 0.06% encapsulated retinaldehyde, which is significantly more potent than 0.5% retinol. Includes Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Glycerin to maintain the skin barrier.
Evidence & Testing
Retinaldehyde is clinically proven to be the closest non-prescription precursor to Retin-A. Medik8 has conducted independent clinical trials showing significant improvements in skin texture and tone within 4 weeks.
Brand Transparency
Medik8 provides clear concentration ladders (1, 3, 6, 10, 20) allowing users to acclimate. They are transparent about their stabilization patents (US Patent 10,537,514).
Value Assessment
At roughly $64 for 30ml, it is a premium product, but the efficacy per drop is significantly higher than cheaper retinol alternatives.
Why Not Alternatives?
Unlike competitors like The Ordinary or Inkey List, Medik8 uses a stabilized delivery system that prevents the retinal from degrading due to light or air exposure. Most budget retinal products lack the clinical data proving their active concentration remains stable over the product's shelf life.
Sources & References
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