Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 for mature skin
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for mature skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, this formula utilizes retinal and 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid to effectively rejuvenate and minimize fine lines by promoting collagen production and skin renewal.
- Sodium hyaluronate and Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil provide essential hydration and soothing benefits, complementing the primary anti-aging ingredients.
- The product is safe for your skin, featuring a gentle formulation with soothing extracts and no harsh irritants.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week, and work up to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply this serum after your toner and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- You can apply the serum on dry skin for the best results against fine lines.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the sensitive eye area.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum as an exceptional entry-level retinal for sensitive or reactive skin, noting visible improvements in skin texture and brightness without the irritation typical of retinoids. Many reviewers report significant reductions in hormonal breakouts and fine lines, describing the formula as a "game changer" that leaves skin smoother, plumper, and clearer.
Highlights
Gentle on skin Mostly Mentioned
- “perfect for beginners”
- “no stinging or redness”
Smoothes texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels like glass”
- “bumps disappeared”
- “face is much softer”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “very expensive for the size”
- “pricey investment”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Absorbs fast Sometimes Noted
- “sinks in immediately”
- “creamy and moisturizing”
- “non-greasy finish”
Reduces acne Sometimes Noted
- “cleared my hormonal acne”
- “stops spots forming”
- “keeps blemishes in check”
Initial purging Rarely Noted
- “broke out the first week”
- “had a few spots initially”
- “skin got worse before better”
Mild dryness Rarely Noted
- “slight tingle upon application”
- “needed extra moisturizer”
- “dry patches around nose”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get last bit out”
- “tube topples over easily”
Sources: lovi.care, cultbeauty.co.uk, dermstore.com, spacenk.com, womenshealthmag.com, alexaskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 a great fit for mature skin?
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 is a great fit for mature skin because it uses retinal and 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid to rejuvenate the skin and minimize fine lines by encouraging collagen production and skin renewal. Additionally, ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and carrot seed oil provide essential hydration and soothing benefits to keep the skin looking smooth and healthy.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for mature skin?
This serum is a great fit for mature skin because it contains retinal and 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid to minimize fine lines by boosting collagen and skin renewal. Additionally, sodium hyaluronate and Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil provide essential hydration and soothing benefits.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
What does Retinal do for mature skin?
Retinal helps smooth fine lines, improve uneven skin tone, refine texture, and tighten pores on mature skin. It may also boost skin thickness and elasticity over time while keeping irritation low compared to stronger options.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for mature skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps mature skin by deeply boosting moisture, improving elasticity, and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Regular use keeps the skin looking plump and soft while supporting overall firmness and hydration.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Skin Research and Technology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for mature skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps it simple and safe around sun exposure.
Can I use it with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first, letting it absorb, and then following with this formula in your evening routine. This combination helps smooth fine lines while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment is meant for your evening routine, and it is best to start using it gradually to see how your skin adjusts. Daily use helps smooth fine lines and renew mature skin over time while keeping irritation unlikely.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause major breakouts, though initial purging is a low possibility for mature skin. Its gentle formula and hydrating ingredients help keep skin calm while renewing.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (coumarin). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Liposomal formulation of 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid enhanced skin retention and reduced UV-induced extracellular matrix degradation in skin explants compared to free EAA.
Journal of Liposome Research, 2025Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022A 3-in-1 anti-aging topical night serum-in-oil applied once daily decreased wrinkles by 11%, increased skin firmness by 8%, reduced redness by 70%, and improved overall skin quality and complexion in 103 female subjects over 28 to 84 days compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Twice daily application of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams for 3 months improved skin texture and hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 40 female Korean volunteers, with only the 0.1% cream significantly improving the melanin index.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018Topical retinaldehyde demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, leading to decreased bacterial counts without inducing resistance.
Dermatology, 2002Topical 0.05% retinaldehyde applied over 1 year significantly increased epidermal thickness of the temple and cutaneous elasticity compared to an emollient control group in 40 aging skin patients.
Dermatology, 1999Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ppg-12 Smdi Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Squalane, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Disodium Edta, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil Carrot Seed Oil, Sodium Polyaspartate, Climbazole, Retinal, Dipteryx Odorata Extract Tonka Extract Bean Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract Vanilla Fruit Extract, Decylene Glycol, Bht, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coumarin
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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