Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Medik8Save this storySave this story
Medik8 might not be a household name—yet—but the best Medik8 products are already staples on top shelves of the skin-care-obsessed crowd. This UK-based brand has quietly captivated dermatologists and beauty editors as “a true clinical, science-backed brand,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “Their proprietary stabilization technology works wonders in keeping the potency and efficacy of their formulas intact, truly setting them apart in performance.”
Medik8 is best known for its “CSA” philosophy: vitamin C in the morning, SPF daily, and vitamin A at night—but its entire lineup reflects the same thoughtful, research-driven approach. “What also makes them unique is that all formulas are developed and manufactured in-house within their lab, ensuring complete control over quality from research & development (R&D) to packaging,” adds Dr. Engelman. Our experts rave about the brand’s glow-boosting serums and retinoid-infused moisturizers—especially since many of their products deliver visible results in as little as two weeks.
Surprise—all of our favorite Medik8 products are officially on sale! From 11/20 to 12/2, you can save 30% on everything (except travel, kits/bundles, gift cards, and accessories) and score free shipping with orders over $60. Your skin (and wallet) will be very thankful, indeed.
Our Top Medik8 Products
- Best Overall: Crystal Retinal 3, $85 $60
- C the Difference: C-Tetra Advanced Gel-Serum, $72 $50
- Pep in Your Step: Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream, $98 $69
- The Wrinkle Whisperer: Liquid Peptides, $66 $46
- The Fountain of Youth: Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Face Serum, $92 $64
- Glow with the Flow: Press and Glow Toner, $35 $25
- The Clean Sweep: Surface Radiance Cleanse, $27 $19
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
To help you find the best of the best, Allure editors put Medik8’s top products to the test. Here are the glow-getting favorites that truly lived up to the hype.
Our Top Medik8 Product: Crystal Retinal 3
Medik8
Crystal Retinal 3
Medik8
Why we love it: Dr. Engelman says if she could choose only one product from this brand to use forever, it would be Medik8 Crystal Retinal. Unlike retinol, which needs two conversion steps to become active in the skin, retinal (a.k.a. retinaldehyde) needs only one, making it faster and more effective. “Medik8 offers it in six progressive strengths, ranging from 0.01% to 0.24% retinaldehyde, which allows you to gradually build your skin’s tolerance while increasing potency without the typical irritation,” says Dr. Engelman. Level 3 is ideal for beginners with normal skin, delivering visible results with hydration and glow with minimal irritation or flaking. “It’s also formulated with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to buffer any potential irritation, and the texture is creamy and fast-absorbing,” Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in LA, previously told Allure.
Allure former content director Kara McGrath applying the Medik8 Crystal Retinal
Kara McGrath
McGrath after applying the Medik8 Crystal Retinal
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
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“I discovered this retinal serum via the Allure Beauty Box, and it instantly became a new favorite. The brand makes it simple to ease into retinal use: You start with level 1 (sensitive) or 3 (beginner), then graduate to higher concentrations once your skin can tolerate them. I haven't experienced any irritation with level 3, a rarity for my sensitive skin.” —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 0.03% retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycerin
- Who it’s for: retinol beginners
- Fragrance-free: yes
C the Difference: C-Tetra Advanced Gel-Serum
Medik8
C-Tetra Advanced Gel-Serum
Medik8
Why it’s worth it: Many vitamin C serums contain lower percentages or less stable forms of the ingredient, but C-Tetra Advanced Gel-Serum features 20% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD-ascorbate), which is a super-stable, oil-soluble version of vitamin C that sinks in deeper and doesn’t oxidize as it sits on your vanity. That alone gives it a major edge in the brightness department, but it doesn’t stop there: Phyto exosomes help shuttle soothing, barrier-supporting goodness right to your skin cells, while acetyl zingerone works as a “super antioxidant” to protect your skin from daily stressors. Add in multi-weight hyaluronic acid for instant bounce, and you have a one-stop shop for brighter, more awake-looking skin.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced Gel-Serum
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced Gel-Serum
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I'm going to be super honest: The textures of Medik8's other vitamin C serums are not up my alley. So, when the brand launched a non-oil-based formula, I was grinning from ear to ear. To no one's surprise, my combination skin loves C-Tetra Advanced, a water-based gel-serum that fits into my minimal a.m. routine without drawing attention to my shiny T-zone, and it absorbs so quickly—just the way my rushed morning self likes it. I'm not exclusive with THD, an ultra-stabilized form of vitamin C, but it is my preferred iteration of the brightening ingredient. (If it lessens the chances of irritation, why the heck wouldn't it be?) 20% is a great concentration—not as high as stronger formulations at 30%, but not too low for my not-too-sensitive skin—and I have witnessed some faint sun spots fade as I finished my first bottle. I will say there is a slight smell to it, but it's nothing like the straight-up hot-dog water of other formulas I've tried. As long as the scent dissipates quickly (which it does), this vitamin C is very worth the results and price point. I'm on my second one now, which is impressive given how often I switch skin-care products.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 20% vitamin C, phyto exosomes, acetyl zingerone, hyaluronic acid
- Who it’s for: people with dull skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Pep in Your Step: Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Medik8
Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Medik8
Why it’s worth it: Most firming creams lean on hydration to make skin look smoother, but Medik8’s Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream dives into the layers of your skin for a truly regenerative approach by working to activate your skin’s own collagen production rather than just softening lines at the surface. “It’s packed with nourishing ingredients that promote skin health and longevity—including ceramides, proprietary Growth Factor MiniProtein (which helps spark skin’s natural renewal signals), carnosine (to keep collagen more flexible), and an NAD+ Longevity Booster that supports cellular energy, which is essential for maintaining firmness,” says Dr. Engelman. If deep-set wrinkles are your main concern, this formula steps in with the kind of internal support that helps them look smoother and less defined over time.
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffman
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“I've been a dedicated user of Medik8's Liquid Peptides Advanced serum for some time now, so I pounced on the Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream when the samples landed in our office. While I don't have noticeable wrinkles—yet—to track progress against, I do notice an overall plumping effect to my skin when consistently using this moisturizer. The finish is really satin-y, absorbs quickly (a through line with Medik8, I'll always award bonus points for speedy applications), and I really feel like my skin texture and tone have never been better.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: carnosine, squalane, shea butter, ceramides, collagen amino acids
- Who it’s for: people with mature, sagging, or dull skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
The Wrinkle Whisperer: Liquid Peptides
Medik8
Liquid Peptides
Medik8
Allure former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying the Medik8 Liquid Peptides
Angela Trakoshis
Why we love it: If you’re new to Medik8, Liquid Peptides is the perfect place to start—especially if softening fine lines and wrinkles is at the top of your skin-care goals, says Dr. Engelman. “It’s gentle enough for all skin types yet highly effective,” she notes. The formula packs over 10 peptides into a concentrated 30% blend to target fine lines, expression lines, and deeper wrinkles. What makes it stand out is its futuristic-sounding delivery system: “It has ‘drone-targeted’ copper peptide technology,” says Dr. Engelman. This is really just a metaphor for a smart delivery vehicle that carries the encapsulated copper peptides exactly where your skin needs them most.
Tester feedback from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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"This silky, fast-absorbing texture feels weightless yet deeply hydrating on the skin, like a thick moisturizer. It's packed with a 30% peptide complex and hyaluronic acid to instantly plump my skin. No joke, after using this, the bounce my skin has is comparable to a trampoline. Not to mention, it layers like a dream under makeup—no pilling here." —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 30% peptide complex (10 types, including matrixyl 3000 and copper peptides), multi-weight hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people with fine lines or wrinkles
- Fragrance-free: yes
The Fountain of Youth: Liquid Peptides Advanced Face Serum
Medik8
Liquid Peptides Advanced Face Serum
Medik8
Han applying Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced Face Serum
Sarah Han
Why we love it: If you loved the original, Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced is like its overachieving big sister. Dr. Engelman calls it “an exceptional serum designed for all skin types,” and with 13 powerful peptides, it goes all in on softening fine lines and deep wrinkles. A high-tech ingredient called a growth factor miniprotein “activates a key skin regeneration pathway and delivers filler-mimicking results—relaxing expression lines in just 10 minutes and visibly reducing deep wrinkles in eight weeks,” says Dr. Engelman. It also plays well with injectables, helping to extend and enhance your results. Plus, it hydrates deeply without ever feeling tight or sticky.
Tester feedback from Han
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“I may not be the target target audience for this product (I’m only 32), but I’ll be darned if I don’t stave off fine lines (especially those creeping up on my forehead) as much as possible—without, as a personal preference, turning to in-office procedures such as filler and Botox. Liquid Peptides Advanced has a wonderfully lightweight, watery-gel consistency that fits in perfectly with my extensive nighttime routine. I’ll even pair it with retinol for a one-two, texture-smoothing, skin-plumping punch. What follows (my night cream) sinks in quickly, and my face doesn’t feel like I’ve glooped on 10 layers of product (even if I actually have)." — Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peptide complex (13 types, including matrixyl 3000 and copper peptides), multi-weight hyaluronic acid, carnosine, growth factor miniprotein
- Who it’s for: people with deep-set wrinkles or expression lines
- Fragrance-free: yes
Glow with the Flow: Press and Glow Toner
Medik8
Press & Glow Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic
Medik8
Why we love it: At Allure HQ, we’ve long been on a mission to erase the memory of stinging toners from years past, and Medik8 Press & Glow might just be the one to accomplish that. “Press & Glow is a daily exfoliating PHA tonic that gently removes dead surface cells to reveal more radiant skin,” says Dr. Engelman. “Clinical studies showed a 20% improvement in skin glow within just four weeks.” Formulated with gluconolactone (a moisture-retaining polyhydroxy acid or PHA), this gentle yet effective tonic exfoliates without stripping your skin. It’s even suitable for sensitive types, thanks to soothing ingredients like aloe vera, acai, and prickly pear extract, which, as Dr. Engelman notes, “support visible clarity and luminosity.” She also loves it as a makeup prep step: “It enhances the absorption of other products and provides a more even surface for application.”
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Medik8 Press and Glow Toner
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Medik8 Press and Glow Toner
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“It’s only recently that I’ve become a toner convert, and this one finally convinced me that toners aren’t the stingy, drying formulas of the past. It feels as gentle as water (don’t worry—it’s definitely not just water) on my dry, sensitive skin. The mild exfoliating acids are cushioned with aloe vera, leaving my skin soft, calm, and refreshingly clean.” —Christa Joanna Lee, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: gluconolactone (PHA), prickly pear extract, acai extract, aloe vera
- Who it’s for: people with dull or dry skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
The Clean Sweep: Surface Radiance Cleanse
Medik8
Surface Radiance Cleanse
Medik8
Why we love it: You want your cleanser to sweep off the day at a minimum, but Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse goes above and beyond. “It’s an antioxidant-infused formulation with a unique exfoliating AHA/BHA complex that effectively cleanses while minimizing visible signs of aging such as dullness and uneven texture,” says Dr. Engelman. Boosted by glow-boosting ingredients like salicylic acid, glycerin, and mangosteen peel extract, it removes impurities while supporting your skin’s moisture barrier—so you get the deep-clean feel without the post-wash tightness. “I love how the gel transforms into a light foam upon contact with water and delivers a refreshing, citrusy scent,” she says.
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“I love a good exfoliator—but as someone with super-sensitive skin, I've been burned by products that are too strong in the past. Thankfully, this cleanser is gentle enough to sweep away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells without leaving my face red and irritated. I also love the formula because it's a little thick coming out of the tube, but emulsifies into a light, sudsy foam in just a few seconds (once you add water). If you want to get started exfoliating but are nervous about damaging your skin barrier, I highly recommend starting here.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: l-mandelic acid, l-lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin, mangosteen peel extract
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the experts
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic, based in New York City
- Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in LA
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Medik8 products, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine. You may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors, in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon, is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
