Crystal Retinal®

Award-winning Age-Defying Vitamin A Night Serum Full Details

Benefits
Renew
Firm
Smooth

Crystal Retinal®

Award-winning Age-Defying Vitamin A Night Serum Full Details

Benefits
Renew
Firm
Smooth

Crystal Retinal 1 Sensitive Crystal Retinal 3 Beginner Crystal Retinal 6 Regular Crystal Retinal 10 Advanced Crystal Retinal 20 Experienced Crystal Retinal 24 Expert

Product variants

Quantity:

Reasons to shop Medik8

Free UK Delivery over £25

15% off your first order

‘No questions asked” easy 30 day returns

Earn points every time you shop

Reveal younger-looking skin with just 1 tube of Crystal Retinal. Our iconic vitamin A night serum is clinically proven to visibly smooth stubborn wrinkles, brighten dark spots, decongest and firm your skin - without irritation.^[1]

Crystal Retinal contains retinAL; a next-generation vitamin A which acts 11x faster than standard retinOL.^[2] And, unlike others, our patented retinal stability system ensures unmatched retinal potency and effectiveness until the very last drop.

It’s no wonder Crystal Retinal is the UK’s No.1 dermatological face serum.^[3]

[1] Proven via independent clinical study on Crystal Retinal 6. Tested on 33 participants over 12 weeks.
[2] G. Siegenthaler et al., Retinol and retinal metabolism, Biochemical Journal, 1990, 268, pp 371-378
[3] Source: Circana (UK) Ltd, Retail Tracking Service, Prestige Skincare Face Serum by Franchise Line, Derm Brand Attribute, Value & Unit Sales, 12 ME June 2025. †Dermatologist Brand is defined as a brand that has identified itself as (i) founded or developed by a dermatologist and/or (ii) is dermatologist recommended. To verify visit: https://www.medik8.com/pages/circana-group-claim-letters-crystal-retinal

Crystal Retinal®

KEY BENEFITS

Fast Wrinkle Reducing Power

See clinically proven wrinkle reduction with just 1 tube*
*Proven via independent clinical study on Crystal Retinal 6. Tested on 33 participants over 12 weeks.
Professional-Grade Results

Retinaldehyde is proven to work up to 11 times faster than standard retinol* - so you can see results sooner
*G. Siegenthaler et al., Retinol and retinal metabolism, Biochemical Journal, 1990, 268, pp 371-378
Radiant, Youthful Skin

Delivers remarkable visible improvement in texture, brightness, firmness & clarity
Effective Results Until the Last Drop

Thanks to Medik8's patented stability complex
Customise Your Routine With 6 Progressive Strengths

A retinal strength for beginners to expert users - even sensitive skin

PROVEN RESULTS

BEFORE AFTER 10 DAYS

97% felt their skin had a more youthful appearance*
20% reduction in the appearance of wrinkles*
20% reduction in visible hyperpigmentation*
11% increase in skin firmness*
100% felt Crystal Retinal was gentle on their skin*

*Proven via independent clinical study on 1 tube of Crystal Retinal 6. Tested on 33 participants over 12 weeks.

AVAILABLE STRENGTHS

Only at Medik8, you can ladder up your visible age-defying results over time with Crystal Retinal's 6 progressive strengths.

Offering 0.01% - 0.24% retinaldehyde, there’s a strength for everyone; from very sensitive skins to expert users.

Take our easy quiz to find your strength.

HOW TO USE

Step 1

After cleansing in the evening, apply 2 pumps of Crystal Retinal to the face and neck. Allow to absorb then follow with a moisturiser. We recommend Advanced Night Restore which is specifically designed to be used after vitamin A.

Step 2

For new users of Crystal Retinal, phase application in gradually. Use twice a week for the first 2 weeks, every other night for the next 2 weeks, then every night. You should always use a sunscreen the next morning after using vitamin A.

We recommend using at least 1 tube of your current Crystal Retinal strength before moving up the ladder to the next strength.

LOVED & RECOMMENDED

When it comes to recommending a retinoid, my unwavering choice is Crystal Retinal. This exceptional product has become my top recommendation for both patients and followers, thanks to its remarkable effectiveness and pioneering approach to skincare.

Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe

Medical & Cosmetics Doctor

KEY INGREDIENTS

Retinaldehyde

Proven to work up to 11 times faster than standard retinol,* retinaldehyde (retinal for short) is a revolutionary form of vitamin A that effectively targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin texture and loss of firmness - without irritation.
*G. Siegenthaler et al., Retinol and retinal metabolism, Biochemical Journal, 1990, 268, pp 371-378
Hyaluronic Acid

With the ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its own weight in water, hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the upper layers of the skin; leaving the complexion hydrated and visibly supple.
Vitamin E

A powerful antioxidant that provides additional antioxidant protection against the ageing effects of free radicals. It also helps to boost the power of vitamin C for optimum visible results.
Glycerin

A natural humectant which traps moisture within the skin to leave it hydrated and comfortable.
Full Ingredients

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE FORMULA

A true breakthrough in vitamin A skincare

Daniel Isaacs Chief Product Officer

When it comes to vitamin A; the more stable the molecule, the more effective it can be on the skin. Crystal Retinal offers a level of retinal stability that can only be found at Medik8.

Our innovative stability system features our renowned crystal encapsulation technology, a patented carrot seed oil complex, and airless packaging. All this comes together to protect the retinal molecule for unmatched potency, long-lasting effectiveness and proven skin comfort.

Unlike many retinals, which can cause flaking and irritation, Crystal Retinal has been expertly formulated in our in-house laboratory with a unique combination of the highest quality ingredients and patented technologies so it's gentle yet very powerful.

SUSTAINABILITY CLAIMS

Provenance provides confidence for sustainability claims; helping to prevent ‘green-washing’ and empowering conscious consumers to purchase in line with their values. Provenance ‘Proof Points’ are all third party verified and evidenced through supply chains.

GOOD TO KNOW

CLINICALLY-PROVEN FORMULA
DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDED
NO ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCE
NO SYNTHETIC COLOURS
PARABEN FREE
ALCOHOL FREE
CERTIFIED BY THE VEGAN SOCIETY

FAQS

When, and how, should I apply Crystal Retinal - do I need to phase it into my routine?

+
Yes. You should apply Crystal Retinal as part of your evening skincare routine - after cleanser, toner and serums, but before your moisturiser. We always recommend phasing Crystal Retinal into your existing skincare regimen; using it twice a week for two weeks, then every other night for two weeks, then every night after that. You do not have to phase in when moving up a strength within the Crystal Retinal ladder (e.g. when moving from Crystal Retinal 3 to Crystal Retinal 6)
Can I use Crystal Retinal every night?

+
As long as you build your use up gradually and start with the appropriate strength to begin with, you can use Crystal Retinal every night. For new users of Crystal Retinal, we strongly recommend that you phase-in application to enable your skin to build up a tolerance while avoiding any potential irritation. Use twice a week for the first two weeks, every other night for the following two weeks, then every night.
Can I use Crystal Retinal while pregnant or breastfeeding?

+
As a cosmetics company, we are unable to provide product advice in relation to medical conditions such as pregnancy or breastfeeding. We strongly recommend discussing the ingredients with your GP or midwife before use. We do, however, generally recommend avoiding vitamin A use while pregnant or breastfeeding, which is why we offer a plant-based vitamin A alternative - Bakuchiol Peptides.
Do I need to follow Crystal Retinal with a moisturiser?

+
We do recommend applying a moisturiser after vitamin A. Our bestselling night cream, Advanced Night Restore, is specifically designed to be used following vitamin A use. It helps to boost the visible age-defying benefits of vitamin A while maintaining optimal comfort.
Can I use Crystal Retinal around my eye area?

+
We don't recommend using Crystal Retinal directly around the eye area due to its very delicate nature. However, that's exactly why we've created Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye. It boasts all of the renowned age-defying power of our original Crystal Retinal, but is expertly optimised for specific use on the delicate eye area.
How do I use Crystal Retinal alongside vitamin C?

+
We recommend using vitamin C alongside Crystal Retinal (vitamin A) as part of our pioneering CSA Philosophy. This simple yet clinically proven skincare approach champions vitamin C plus Sunscreen by day, vitamin A (retinoids) by night as the secret to youthful, glowing skin. After cleansing in the morning, apply your vitamin C serum (such as C-Tetra Luxe) and follow with your sunscreen (we recommend Advanced Day Ultimate Protect). After cleansing in the evening, apply Crystal Retinal.
Why are Crystal Retinal 20 and Crystal Retinal 24 peach-coloured?

+
The bright peachy tone of Crystal Retinal 20 and Crystal Retinal 24 is a combination of the natural yellow colour of the retinal, and some natural extracts which shift the colour from yellow to a more peachy tone. Crystal Retinal 20 and Crystal Retinal 24 are brighter than the lower strengths of Crystal Retinal due to their higher concentration of retinal.
Will Crystal Retinal 20 / Crystal Retinal 24 stain my bedding, pillows, or pyjamas?

+
Crystal Retinal’s peachy tone gets more intense as you go up the ladder and may create a peachy tone on the face or potentially transfer onto bed sheets. Colour left on bedsheets can be mitigated by allowing Crystal Retinal to absorb fully and dry before making contact with light-coloured fabrics (such as pyjamas, bedding, or pillows). We would also recommend applying a moisturiser over the top of Crystal Retinal 20 / Crystal Retinal 24 to seal it in. If sheets are left with colour on them, wash at 30 degrees and leave to dry in the sunlight - retinal degrades in the sun which helps the colour to quickly fade away.
Will Crystal Retinal 20 / Crystal Retinal 24 make my skin yellow or orange?

+
Crystal Retinal is designed for nighttime use, followed by a nighttime moisturiser (such as Advanced Night Restore). The higher strengths may leave skin with a slightly peachy tint. However, when blended under a night cream, this is less visible.
When can I move up the ladder from my current Crystal Retinal strength?

+
We recommend using at least 1 tube of your current Crystal Retinal strength before moving up the ladder to the next strength.
When can I move up to Crystal Retinal 24?

+
You can move up to Crystal Retinal 24 once you have used at least 1 tube of Crystal Retinal 20. Crystal Retinal 24 is a very high-strength retinal serum, so we advise closely monitoring your skin during the first 2 weeks of use. If you feel any sensitivity during this time, we would suggest reducing the amount of product you apply or applying every other night to begin with.
Why can't I use Crystal Retinal during the day and is it safe when I'm going out in the sun?

+
Crystal Retinal is completely safe to use if you're going to be exposed to sunlight, as long as you are applying a high protection sunscreen daily. Vitamin A is actually great for use during the summer months as it helps to counteract the visible effects of sun damage but, like all vitamin A formulas, it can make your skin more sensitive. It is also not a photostable ingredient which means it can lose its power and degrade when exposed to direct sunlight. This is why we strongly recommend using Crystal Retinal at night, and then applying a liberal amount of high protection sunscreen the following day. If you are in direct sunlight, we always recommend reapplying your sunscreen every 2 hours.

If you are looking for a vitamin A formula that can be used both morning and evening, try r-Retinoate Day & Night. Formulated with retinyl retinoate, it remains stable when exposed to UV light, meaning it can be used in both your daytime and nighttime regimens.
Can I use Crystal Retinal if I have sensitive skin?

+
Absolutely, with our unique ladder of progressive strengths which serves all skin types. Crystal Retinal 1 (0.01% retinaldehyde) is specifically formulated as the appropriate strength for those with sensitive skin who still want visible age-defying results.
What percentage of retinal is in Crystal Retinal 24?

+
Crystal Retinal 24 contains 0.24% retinaldehyde - our highest concentration to date and the very top of our unique Crystal Retinal ladder. We therefore recommend Crystal Retinal 24 for expert vitamin A users only - those who have used at least 1 tube of Crystal Retinal 20.
What is the difference between Crystal Retinal 20 and 24?

+
Crystal Retinal 20 contains 0.2% retinaldehyde, while Crystal Retinal 24 contains 0.24%. Crystal Retinal 20 is recommended for experienced vitamin A users (those who have used at least 1 tube of Crystal Retinal 10). Crystal Retinal 24 is recommended for expert vitamin A users only (those who have used at least 1 tube of Crystal Retinal 20).
What is a good percentage of retinaldehyde and which Medik8 Crystal Retinal should I start with?

+
Proven to act 11x faster than standard retinol*, retinaldehyde is a very effective age-defying ingredient. What is a ‘good’ percentage for you depends entirely on your skin type and experience using vitamin A.

Our unique ladder of progressive Crystal Retinal strengths offers 6 different percentages of retinaldehyde. We recommend use of our progressive strengths as follows:

Crystal Retinal 1 (0.01% retinaldehyde): For those with sensitive skin
Crystal Retinal 3 (0.03% retinaldehyde): For new vitamin A users
Crystal Retinal 6 (0.06% retinaldehyde): For regular vitamin A users
Crystal Retinal 10 (0.1% retinaldehyde): For advanced vitamin A users
Crystal Retinal 20 (0.2% retinaldehyde): For experienced vitamin A users
Crystal Retinal 24 (0.24% retinaldehyde): For expert vitamin A users
Which is stronger; retinol or retinal, and how does Crystal Retinal compare?

+
Crystal Retinal is formulated with retinAL, which is one conversion step closer to the active form of vitamin A (retinoic acid) than retinOL is. It therefore acts 11x faster than standard retinol* to deliver visible age-defying results. Crystal Retinal's unique formulation also means that the retinal remains gentle on skin while delivering powerful age-defying benefits.

<sup>*G. Siegenthaler et al., Retinol and retinal metabolism, Biochemical Journal, 1990, 268, pp 371-378</sup>
How long does Crystal Retinal take to work?

+
Crystal Retinal is clinically proven to deliver visible improvement on wrinkles as well as skin smoothness and brightness in as little as 7 days.*

<sup>*Proven via independent clinical study on the Crystal Retinal ladder tested on 30 participants over 24 weeks.</sup>
Is 0.1 retinal effective?

+
Crystal Retinal 10 contains 0.1% retinaldehyde (retinal) which is a very effective strength for delivering visible age-defying results. We recommend Crystal Retinal 10 for advanced vitamin A users, looking to build on their visible results after using Crystal Retinal 6 (0.06% retinaldehyde).

Crystal Retinal®

HEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY @officialmedik8

Complete Your Regime

Addressing 90% of age-defying skincare needs*, we especially recommend using this product alongside our industry-leading vitamin C and sunscreen formulas - as per our pioneering CSA Philosophy.

*Based on average change in key indicators of skin ageing, tested on 50 participants using a CSA skincare regime for 6 months

NEW Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream

NEW Festive Kits - up to 30% savings

Crystal Retinal

Advanced Night Restore

Liquid Peptides Advanced MP

Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream

C-Tetra Advanced

Hydr8 B5 Intense

Build a Bespoke Regime

Ready Made Regimes

CSA Regimes

CSA Philosophy

Masterclasses

Layering Guide

Consumer & Clinical Trials

About Us

CSA Philosophy

Meet Our Experts

Proudly B Corp

New Festive Kits

E-Gift Cards

Find Your Nearest Clinic

Find Your Perfect Treatment

Why Choose Medik8 Professional

Your Shopping Bag Is Empty

Reasons To Shop Medik8

Free Delivery

Free Returns

Become a Me&MEdik8 Member

Crystal Retinal®

Award-winning Age-Defying Vitamin A Night Serum Full Details

Crystal Retinal®

Award-winning Age-Defying Vitamin A Night Serum Full Details

Reasons to shop Medik8

KEY BENEFITS

Fast Wrinkle Reducing Power

Professional-Grade Results

Radiant, Youthful Skin

Effective Results Until the Last Drop

Customise Your Routine With 6 Progressive Strengths

PROVEN RESULTS

AVAILABLE STRENGTHS

HOW TO USE

Step 1

Step 2

We recommend using at least 1 tube of your current Crystal Retinal strength before moving up the ladder to the next strength.

LOVED & RECOMMENDED

KEY INGREDIENTS

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE FORMULA

SUSTAINABILITY CLAIMS

GOOD TO KNOW

FAQS

When, and how, should I apply Crystal Retinal - do I need to phase it into my routine?

Can I use Crystal Retinal every night?

Can I use Crystal Retinal while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Do I need to follow Crystal Retinal with a moisturiser?

Can I use Crystal Retinal around my eye area?

How do I use Crystal Retinal alongside vitamin C?

Why are Crystal Retinal 20 and Crystal Retinal 24 peach-coloured?

Will Crystal Retinal 20 / Crystal Retinal 24 stain my bedding, pillows, or pyjamas?

Will Crystal Retinal 20 / Crystal Retinal 24 make my skin yellow or orange?

When can I move up the ladder from my current Crystal Retinal strength?

When can I move up to Crystal Retinal 24?

Why can't I use Crystal Retinal during the day and is it safe when I'm going out in the sun?

Can I use Crystal Retinal if I have sensitive skin?

What percentage of retinal is in Crystal Retinal 24?

What is the difference between Crystal Retinal 20 and 24?

What is a good percentage of retinaldehyde and which Medik8 Crystal Retinal should I start with?

Which is stronger; retinol or retinal, and how does Crystal Retinal compare?

How long does Crystal Retinal take to work?

Is 0.1 retinal effective?

Complete Your Regime