The Mirror's beauty writer Eve Rowlands, 31, tested Medik8's Crystal Retinal 6 serum over 12 weeks, documenting her experience with the vitamin A night serum. By the end of the trial, she reported brighter, smoother skin, fewer blemishes, and faded dark spots, though she said the £69 price point would stop her from repurchasing.
Why Eve decided to try retinal
Having never used retinol or retinal before, Eve was mindful that she didn't have deep-set wrinkles, but had noticed a few lines on her forehead, crow's feet around her eyes, dark spots, and enlarged pores. After hearing about Medik8's Crystal Retinal, she decided to put it to the test over 12 weeks.
According to Medik8, Crystal Retinal works up to 11 times faster than retinol and is 'clinically proven to visibly smooth stubborn wrinkles, brighten dark spots, decongest and firm your skin – without irritation'. Eve, who has relatively sensitive skin, approached the product with caution, patch testing it on her chin before introducing it to her night-time routine.
First two weeks: adjustment period
Following Medik8's guidance for retinal newbies, Eve applied the Crystal Retinal 6 Serum twice weekly during the first fortnight. She experienced no visible redness, noting: "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."
However, she did notice some minor side effects: her chin became slightly bumpier and more textured than usual. She said: "I've since learned this could potentially be a temporary retinol/retinal purge - i.e. 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."
Results after four, six, and 12 weeks
After four weeks of applying the serum every other night or every three nights, Eve said her skin seemed 'a little smoother and softer' and her forehead and chin were largely blemish-free. She admitted she didn't notice an increase in overall radiance, nor did her friends.
At the six-week mark, she noticed more improvements. "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 I'd picked up on before using the serum had faded a little," said Eve. Medik8 says maximum benefits typically require four to 12 weeks of consistent use.
By the end of the 12-week trial, Eve was applying Crystal Retinal every other night all over her face and neck, followed by a moisturiser. She reported: "My skin certainly looks brighter, feels smoother, I haven't had half as many blemishes as I usually do (even during hormonal flare-ups). The morning after application, my skin always feels firm and bouncy, too." Her complexion seemed more radiant, and she experienced no soreness or inflammation throughout the process.
Her only complaint was the 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 night-time serum. But if budget weren't an issue, I'd certainly repurchase," said Eve.
Retinal alternatives and SPF advice
For those not ready to commit to retinal, the No7 Future Renew Serum (25ml) costs £27.95 at Boots online using the code NO7SAVE10, and is 'clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage by up to 10 years'. The Ordinary's Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (30ml) costs £15.91 and gets five stars from more than 900 customers, combining peptide complexes with hyaluronic acid to hydrate, firm, and improve skin texture.
Eve stressed that it's essential to use SPF when using retinol or retinal, especially in summer, as retinal speeds up skin cell turnover, pushing fresh, delicate new skin cells to the surface that are more sensitive to UV damage. Prices were correct at the time of publishing.
