The Three Medik8 Products That Have Been a Gamechanger for My Skin
Melissa Mason is an Australian writer and podcast host. She has also been a beauty journalist for over 10 years. She’s obsessed with the ‘70s (and forever switching between her natural curls and a wavy shag), has a co-dependent relationship with her pinky-nude lipstick collection and is currently living in the Aussie outback battling flies and red dust on the daily. You can find her on socials @melissamason_
As a long-time Beauty Editor, I’ve gotten used to a constant cycle of skincare products.
It’s rare that I find a serum, moisturiser or cleanser and really commit to it for long. There are just too many things to try, and my job is to try them.
In the past, this has led to many periods of skin barrier impairment. My face was basically like, “what the hell are you doing?” when I’d swap this retinol for that retinal, this vitamin C for that antioxidant serum.
So last year, I decided I wanted to try sticking to a skincare routine using products from one brand, for a good few months.
I went with Medik8 because a) I love me a cosmeceutical brand and b) I already wanted to try a few products from their collection.
This isn’t sponsored, by the way – I interviewed Medik8’s co-founder Daniel Isaacs on the Beauty IQ: Uncensored podcast, and was really impressed with the level of science and research that went into the brand.
Listen to Medik8 Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer Daniel Isaacs answer your most asked vitamin A questions in the Beauty IQ Uncensored episode below:
Now, around six months down the track, I’ve been loyally applying a select few Medik8 products day and night, and have really noticed the difference in my skin.
It’s brighter, smoother and my fine lines are less noticeable. At 40 years old, I wasn’t expecting the baby-faced skin of a teenager, but what I was craving was that “lit from within” glow only great skincare can give you. I got it.
These are the Medik8 products that have impressed me the most, and will continue to have a place in my skincare routine.
My Top Medik8 Products
Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced
Fast facts:
- Potent vitamin C, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (20%)
- N-Acetyl Glucosamine to help refine pores
- Multi-Weight hyaluronic acid for hydration
My Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced review:
Vitamin C serums have long been a difficult skincare product for me to incorporate into my routine.
While I’ve long loved Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, it does have a bit of a smell and weirdly after having my first baby, I’m really sensitive to skincare smells! I guess they’re really close to my nose, or something?
Anyway. C-Tetra Advanced doesn’t smell at all. I love the fluid texture, it doesn’t feel greasy on skin, and has all the ingredients I want to see in a day serum – hydration, and antioxidant protection.
20% vitamin C is a lot in a serum, but it has never led to irritation for me, and my skin is easily irritated.
Ultimately, I need my day serum to be easy to wear while still being packed with actives, and this Medik8 vitamin C delivers.
Medik8 Advanced Pro Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Fast facts:
- Growth Factor MiniProtein™ to improve skin and reduce wrinkles
- Anti-A.G.E. Peptide (Carnosine) to prevent fine lines and wrinkles
- NAD⁺ Longevity Booster - supports skin longevity
My Medik8 Advanced Pro Collagen+ Peptide Cream review:
Peptides, peptides, peptides! They’re everywhere at the moment, they’re like the protein of the skincare world (as in, everyone is adding them into everything).
Look, it took me a long time to understand what peptides actually do, but I’ve made it. I get them. They essentially assist your cells with producing collagen and elastin, which is how you get your skin looking plump and healthy.
This cream is a relatively recent launch from Medik8, but I’ve been lucky to have been trying it for a while now.
I rarely use face cream with actives in it. Usually, those are reserved for my serums, and I choose simple, hydrating face creams as support. But Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream is the exception to my rule, because it’s nourishing thanks to polyglutamic acid, ceramides, and squalane, as well as assisting with firming up my skin and renewing it.
Like all my skincare, the key for me is active ingredients without irritation, and the hydration support in this cream seems to prevent my evening actives from upsetting my skin barrier.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3
Fast facts:
- Gentle retinal for newbies
- Active ingredient of Retinaldehyde, a form of vitamin A
- Vitamin E, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid to support skin barrier
My Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 review:
If I were headed to a desert island, I would be taking this Medik8 retinal. I’d also be taking sunscreen and a decent moisturiser, but it says a lot about my love for Crystal Retinal that it would be included.
I’ve been using this retinal for over a year (with a pregnancy break!) and I’m finally game to step it up.
The beauty of Medik8’s Crystal Retinal collection is that it has steps – levels of intensity you can slowly work your way up, so you don’t upset your skin when starting your retinal journey.
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you about the benefits of retinal, but let’s go through them in case. Retinal is more potent than retinol, and helps with a wide range of skincare issues like collagen production, skin texture, hyperpigmentation, and acne.
After several months, you’ll start to see improvement in fine lines and skin texture, and brighter skin too.
The Medik8 Crystal Retinal collection starts at Crystal Retinal 1, which is really gentle and great for sensitive skin, and progresses all the way to Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20, which is for the long-time users who can handle high levels of retinal.
I’m about to graduate to Crystal Retinal 6, which lands in the middle. It’s just a fantastic retinal product that has never, ever irritated my skin – a miracle for me, really.
Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides
Fast facts:
- 10% Niacinamide serum to help reduce blemishes
- Refines look of pores and skin texture
- Supports the skin barrier
Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides review:
I have only just started using this new serum from Medik8, so I can’t speak to it’s long term efficacy. But this is the first time I’m really committing to a niacinamide serum, and so far I’m enjoying it.
The context is that I don’t really struggle with blemishes or excess oil, so I’ve never seen niacinamide as an ingredient I needed to include in my routine.
However, it’s not just for these two issues. Niacinamide can also help strengthen your skin barrier (very needed over here!) and minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines.
I do tend to develop visible pores on my nose, which sometimes bothers me.
I’ve seen a slight reduction of those so far, and it’s only been a week or two of use. So I’m feeling hopeful!
Catch up on more of Mel's expert beauty advice and recommendations below:
