Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
Evidence-led ingredient analysis, a transparent clean score out of 100 and cleaner, effective alternatives at three price levels.
Medik8
Crystal Retinal 6
Serum · Budget: £69.00
4.8 (2,650 reviews)· across medik8.com, lookfantastic.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, spacenk.com, boots.com
Ingredients: AI-inferred — not yet verified
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is a well-engineered, high-performance retinoid serum utilizing 0.06% encapsulated retinaldehyde, which converts faster to retinoic acid than standard retinol with less potential for irritation. Please note: as the ingredient list was not directly provided with this request, this analysis is based on the official, standard published UK formula. The formulation is clean, effective, and transparent, featuring supportive barrier ingredients like squalane, hyaluronic acid, and cloudberry seed oil. Minor points are deducted for trace BHT used as a raw material stabilizer and potential sensitizers like coumarin from natural extracts.
Hazard categories
Estimated score out of 100
Formulation score is fixed across Selenssa · Community effectiveness awaiting more reports
Based on publicly available ingredients, following our methodology. Not medical advice — always check the physical label, especially for allergies. How we score →
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Highly recommended for those seeking a well-formulated, intermediate-strength vitamin A treatment. Introduce slowly (1-2 times per week initially) and always pair with morning sunscreen. Avoid during pregnancy.
Be cautious if
May be a concern for highly sensitive users, pregnant or nursing individuals, or those allergic to natural vanilla/coumarin aromatics.
Against your clean standard
Yes, meets modern clean formulation standards overall with minor cautions for trace BHT and natural fragrance allergens.
Where this score comes from
- Source
- No source record on file yet
- Source page
- —
- Retrieved
- —
- Evidence snapshot
- Not captured
Score history
No score changes have been recorded for this product yet.
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Does Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 contain parabens, sulfates or fragrance?
A straight yes or no for the ingredient groups people most often want to avoid, checked against this product's published formulation.
Free from parabens
Preservatives; the longer-chain ones (propyl, butyl) carry the endocrine questions.
Free from sulfates (sls / sles)
Strong cleansing agents that can strip a compromised barrier.
Free from silicones
Slip and occlusion; cyclic silicones (D4/D5/D6) are the environmentally restricted ones.
Free from fragrance / parfum
Undisclosed fragrance blends are the most common trigger for sensitised skin.
Free from essential oils
Naturally derived, but among the most frequently reported contact allergens.
Free from drying alcohol
Fine in small amounts for texture; high up the list it can dehydrate.
Free from formaldehyde releasers
Preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde.
Free from chemical uv filters of concern
Restricted or debated filters with endocrine or reef-persistence questions.
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 non-comedogenic?
No ingredients in this formulation appear on Selenssa's common pore-clogger list, so it is unlikely to be the cause of congestion for most people. Comedogenicity is still individual — texture, occlusion and how much you use all play a part.
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 safe for sensitive skin?
Generally a reasonable choice for sensitive skin.
- No fragrance or parfum in the list
Ingredients worth knowing about: BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), Coumarin.
Can you use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 while pregnant?
This product contains retinal (retinaldehyde), which is usually on the list of ingredients people are advised to pause during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Selenssa is not medical advice — check with your midwife, GP or dermatologist before using it.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 full ingredients list
16 ingredients analysed, in the order Selenssa assessed them. Concentration generally falls as you move down the list.
Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinal (Retinaldehyde), Squalane, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Coumarin.
The actives doing the work: Encapsulated Retinaldehyde (0.06%) (Acts 11x faster than standard retinol with higher stability and lower skin irritation.); Sodium Hyaluronate & Glycerin (Maintains optimum skin hydration levels to balance potential retinoid dryness.); Squalane & Cloudberry Seed Oil (Replenishes lipid barrier fats and calms reactive skin during retinal application.); Stable Vitamin C Esters (Enhances antioxidant defenses and brightens uneven skin tone.).
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