As a beauty and shopping writer, I spend countless hours interviewing dermatologists and aestheticians, asking them for skincare tips and beauty products they’d be willing to spend their hard-earned dollars on. Whenever I seek out effective, easy routine advice, one brand always comes up: Medik8.
There’s a good reason this British skincare brand has caught the attention of so many experts. The brand is particularly popular for its Crystal Retinal range, which offers varying concentrations of retinaldehyde (a vitamin A derivative that targets uneven skin texture and pigmentation).
This tailored approach allows you to find the strength of retinoic acid that works best for your skin without causing irritation. Other Medik8 products, like its Vitamin C Serum and Ceramide Moisturizer, are also highly rated for their effectiveness.
Medik8 is currently offering 25% off all products until December 3, and our editorial team (who are just as excited about the brand as the aforementioned experts) revealed their top-selling products that will be added to cart during this Black Friday beauty sale.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3, £49 £36.75
“For those with sensitive skin, a product that doesn’t cause an immediate unpleasant reaction is perfect. That’s where Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 comes in. I use it twice a week in the evenings and can honestly say my skin feels softer and brighter when I wake up the next day.
I know that retinaldehyde (a form of vitamin A that works more gently but faster than retinol) can help keep my skin in better shape by fighting hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. I’m in my 30s so this is a great investment for my future self.
I also wear sunscreen on my skin every day, which is a must when using a Retinal product.” — Susan Devaney, Lifestyle Director
Medik8 Daily Total Face Cream, £45 £33.75
“I used up every drop of this moisturiser, and while that may not sound particularly impressive, it speaks to how brilliant it is, considering that for someone who works as a beauty editor, it was enough to try it right away.
I love its soft texture, somewhere between a gel and a cream; it quenches my dry areas in seconds without leaving a greasy or sticky residue. The key ingredients are peptides (essentially skin-boosting proteins), hydrating hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which act like glue between skin cells, keeping them healthy and happy.
For me, ceramides are a must when choosing a moisturiser, especially in winter when my skin is sensitive to cold weather and central heating. Even better? I don’t break out as much as I do with other creams. I’m already on my third can.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Medik8 C-Tetra Serum, £39 £29.25
“I’d describe myself as a vitamin C sceptic; the ingredient doesn’t always sit well with my skin. In the past, some vitamin C serums have made my face itchy and red, but Medik8’s C-Tetra ’s formula is different. It contains 7% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stable form of vitamin C that won’t cause irritation, and is enriched with nourishing jojoba oil.
The serum has significantly improved the overall radiance of my skin, and my dark spots have become less noticeable. The texture feels more like a facial oil, and while it’s not greasy, I prefer to apply five to six drops to my face on days when I’m not wearing makeup. The light citrus scent is really refreshing on dark and dreary winter days.” — Senior Writer Venus Wong.
Medik8 Resurfacing Cleanser, £24 £18
“I was recommended this gel cleanser by my dermatologist when I was going through a hormonal acne period and I credit it with helping to clear my skin. The reason it’s so effective for acne is that it contains exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like lactic acid and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid.
The former sloughs away dead skin cells and minimises the appearance of hyperpigmentation, while the latter works deeper to dissolve the cocktail of dead cells, oil and pore-clogging dirt. While it sounds strong, it’s actually very gentle and thanks to the generous amount of hydrating glycerin, my skin never feels dry. — Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Medik8 Liquid Peptide Serum, £55 £41.25
“Celebrity dermatologist Dr. Ewoma Ukeleghe (and one of my favourite Instagram followers) once described liquid peptides as ‘Botox in a bottle’ and I couldn’t agree more. This is a hydrating and firming MVP with 10 peptides at a 30% concentration.
If you don’t know the benefits of peptides, it’s a popular ingredient that boosts collagen production and skin regeneration. While the serum delivers much-needed moisture to my dry skin very quickly, it doesn’t leave any heavy or residue feeling behind. My skin wakes up feeling so smooth and soft when I apply it to my skin the night before.” – Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Medik8 Lipid Balancing Cleansing Oil, £29 £21.75
“I’m a fussy person when it comes to my skincare routine, so any product that saves me time and makes my life easier is a winner in my book. This Lipid Balancing Cleansing Oil easily removes stubborn mascara, glitter and blush stains from my skin and lashes without any scrubbing or pulling.
It treats the skin with a blend of Omega-6 (an essential fatty acid that supports the skin barrier), Vitamin E (a nourishing antioxidant) and botanical extracts that cleanse without drying it out. This formula even removes environmental pollutants, which is ideal for a city dweller like me.
I simply rub it into dry skin and wipe it off twice with a damp towel. It’s easy as pie, and the result is clean, soft, hydrated skin.” — Humeara Mohamed, Contributing Writer
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Liquid Hydrating Serum, £45 £33.75
“I suffer from both acne and eczema, which means I have to be extra careful with products that disrupt my skin barrier. Without the help of hydrating formulas like Hydr8 B5 Liquid Hydrating Serum, my skin would be dry and flaky.
It’s the perfect antidote to stressed, flaky and dry skin, and a must-have for keeping it healthy and looking its best. It infuses your barrier with a ton of hyaluronic acid to hydrate all the layers of your skin, and contains vitamin B5 (aka panthenol) to help your skin retain moisture.
The best part? It’s not greasy or heavy at all – it absorbs instantly and feels lovely when applied.” — Humeara Mohamed, Contributing Writer
Medik8 H.E.O. Mask, £50 £45
“This two-step mask is a dream for dry winter skin. Despite having two products, application is no joke. I wait two minutes between applying two coats and then get ready for bed — and wake up with soft, radiant skin.
When I look in the mirror, I can notice the difference: My skin looks fresher, and there’s noticeably less dryness and flakiness around my nose.
I’m not sure why it has to be two creams instead of one that mixes everything together, but as long as it works, I’ll continue using it a few times a week during the coldest months of the year.” —Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
