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'I tried Medik8's Crystal Retinal anti-wrinkle serum as a first-time retinal user'

Senior beauty writer Eve Rowlands tested out the Medik8 Crystal Retinal serum to see if managed to 'visibly smooth wrinkles, brighten dark spots, decongest and firm skin'

[Beauty writer Eve Rowlands tried Medik8's renowned Crystal Retinal]

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Beauty writer Eve Rowlands tried Medik8's renowned Crystal Retinal(Image: Eve Rowlands)

As a beauty writer, Im pretty well-versed in ingredients and top-rated brands to add to a skincare routine to keep signs of ageing to a minimum. But while retinol is usually at the top of any anti-ageing night-time routine, Id never incorporated it into mine.

At 31, Im aware Im early and not at risk of developing deep-set wrinkles. Nor do I have them yet, bar the odd subtle expression line on my forehead and years-old crows' feet (or as I call them, laughter lines).

But the key, at this age, is prevention. Having heard of the wonders of Medik8s Crystal Retinal, I jumped at the chance to try it out for myself.

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Retinal is not to be confused with retinol, which reportedly works up to 11 times slower. As the brand states, the iconic vitamin A night serum is clinically proven to visibly smooth stubborn wrinkles, brighten dark spots, decongest and firm your skin - without irritation.

While I dont have wrinkles, I do have a few dark spots appearing and large pores, so I was intrigued by how it would impact these. Now, having never tried retinol or retinal before for fear it would flare up my relatively sensitive skin, I was apprehensive when I began using the brands Crystal Retinal 6.

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[Beauty writer Eve Rowlands went straight to Crystal Retinal strength 6]

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Product Description

The Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is 'a next-generation vitamin A which acts 11x faster than standard retinOL.'.

It is the third strength in its lineup, and it's the most regularly bought. But I followed the instructions to gradually introduce my skin to the formula following a patch test, and it didnt inflict any negative effects.

Now, it's important to note that SPF use while using this retinal cream (or any retinol/retinal) is essential. While during the summer this should be a given, when incorporating retinal into a regimen, suncare is extra important because retinal, essentially, speeds up skin cell turnover, pushing fresh, delicate new skin cells to the surface that are more sensitive to UV damage. This can basically counteract the benefits of retinal when it comes to signs of ageing.

For those who'd rather an anti-ageing concoction that doesn't contain retinol or retinal, No7's Future Renew Serum, 37.95, can be used both morning and night and contains Pepticology, a world-first in peptide technology. It's been said to have been 'clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage by up to 10 years', reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and more.

Although if that's a little too steep, price-wise, another firm favourite is L'Oral Paris Revitalift Laser Renew Anti-Ageing Serum, on sale for 15.99 at Superdrug. Packed with LHA, Pro-Xylane 3% and Pro Ceramide and Hyaluronic acid, it works to hydrated, smooth, brighten and plump skin within just one month.

My thoughts on Medik8's Crystal Retinal

[Six week progess using the Crystal Retinal serum from Medik8]

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Six week progess using the Crystal Retinal serum from Medik8(Image: Eve Rowlands)

The first two weeks:

Following a patch test on my chin, I followed the brands instructions for newbies to retinal, to use this Crystal Retinal 6 Serum twice a week for the first fortnight. This was to give my skin the chance to get used to the new ingredient.

While I didnt have any reaction to the patch test, on my first application, I expected my skin to look a little red or irritated due to its strength. But to my delight, I had zero signs that anything was different in my routine.

It melted into my skin rapidly and left no cast. The serum's colouring is peachy, rather than white or clear - or sticky - which can often be the case with serum.

[After two weeks, the fine line on my forehead is still quite prominent but my texture is smooth]

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After two weeks, the fine line on my forehead is still quite prominent but my texture is smooth(Image: Eve Rowlands)

One thing I noticed was that, while it absorbed quickly, it didnt feel particularly hydrating immediately, despite the hyaluronic acid and glycerin inclusion in the formula. To combat this, moisturiser is recommended as the following step - my current favourite, the Olay Regenerist Night Face Cream Moisturiser.

It's important to always follow up with moisturiser as rapid cell turnover can temporarily make our skin sensitive, dry, and stripped of natural moisture, and a good night cream helps with this.

Unsurprisingly, during the first two weeks as I introduced the product to my routine, I didnt see much improvement in my skin. Having used it only four times, I expected this to be the case.

I did notice some unwelcome side effects of this new product: my chin was slightly bumpier and more textured than usual. I've since learned this could potentially be a temporary retinol/retinal purge - ie, where acne, dryness, or irritation flares up due to increased cell turnover.

However, on the days after using the Crystal Retinal, my forehead did look brighter and smoother.

After 4 weeks

[At four weeks, my skin is looking smooth and has a slight glow - although my forehead wrinkle is still visible]

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At four weeks, my skin is looking smooth and has a slight glow - although my forehead wrinkle is still visible(Image: Eve Rowlands)

After using the Crystal Retinal 6 Medik8 serum for four weeks, applying it to my skin every other or every three nights as recommended, the results were slowly coming through, so I was not ready to give up.

While I still had a noticeable line in my forehead - I am a very expressive person, so I accepted this may take a little longer to address - my skin did seem a little smoother and softer. Alongside this, I realised during this time my forehead and chin hadnt played host to any spots, as is typically the case.

In the four-week initial stage, skin is supposed to have an increase in overall radiance. But I admit I didn't really notice this, nor did my friends.

After 6 weeks

[After 6 weeks, my forehead line - if looking closely - appears slightly less dense and my skin feels soft ]

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After 6 weeks, my forehead line - if looking closely - appears slightly less dense and my skin feels soft (Image: Eve Rowlands)

At the six-week mark, I noticed a few more improvements in my skin. The line in my forehead had become less pronounced, plus, the crows' feet on one side also seemed to be a little less prominent.

I also noticed a number of darker spots Id picked up on before using the serum had faded a little - particularly one on my cheek. During the six weeks, I hadn't really had to deal with any large spots, too, which was certainly welcome.

With this in mind, I felt its blemish-busting properties were living up to the hype, and my skin felt pretty soft and even-toned, too. It is worth noting the brand states, achieving maximum benefits - like significant wrinkle reduction, firmer skin, and diminished dark spots - typically takes 4 to 12 weeks of consistent use".

After 12 weeks

[Comparing week 4 to week 12, you can see my skin has evened out and my eyes look slightly softer]

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Comparing week 4 to week 12, you can see my skin has evened out and my eyes look slightly softer(Image: Eve Rowlands)

At this stage, I've been consistently using the Crystal Retinal every other night all over my face and my neck, before moisturiser, and while I've not got too many wrinkles yet, bar crow's feet, to comment on its competency in smoothing these out, my skin certainly looks better for using this serum. And my 'laughter lines' do appear softer, which I'll take as a win.

My skin certainly looks brighter, feels smoother, I haven't had half as many blemishes as I usually do (even during hormonal flare-ups). Plus, those dark spots I previously noticed seem to have diminished on my cheeks.

The morning after application, my skin always feels firm and bouncy, too. What's more is I do feel like I have a bit more radiance to my complexion, which is most likely a byproduct of the serum, as I've not changed anything else in my routine, nor my diet.

On top of this, it didn't leave my skin sore or in any way inflamed throughout the whole process, which is a dream for anyone with relatively sensitive skin who is wary of using retinal - proving that its formula is 'gentle yet very powerful'. Even as a first timer to retinal and retinol.

My only gripe is its price. At 69 for the strength I used, I wouldn't be racing to buy it again, as I can't be dropping that much money on a nighttime serum. But if budget weren't an issue, I'd certainly repurchase.

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