Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3 for oily skin
Retinaldehyde
Hyaluronic Acid
Vitamin E
Squalane
GlycerinHigh
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best serums for oily skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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
- Offers moderate skin rejuvenation for your oily skin due to retinaldehyde, which helps regulate desquamation and minimize fine lines, while hyaluronic acid provides essential hydration.
- While supportive for oily skin, the formula's primary focus on rejuvenation means it offers only general hydration benefits and does not directly target oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing elements like Vitamin E.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum as an exceptional entry-level retinoid for sensitive skin, noting visible improvements in skin texture, brightness, and acne reduction without the irritation typically associated with vitamin A. It is frequently described as a "game changer" for smoothing fine lines and clearing congestion, though the high price point is a common contention.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “zero irritation or peeling”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “no redness or purging”
- “gentlest retinal I've tried”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft”
- “smoother complexion overnight”
- “reduced bumps and texture”
- “glass skin effect”
Pleasant experience Often Mentioned
- “smells like a spa”
- “absorbs very quickly”
- “creamy hydrating texture”
- “lovely peach scent”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “very expensive for amount”
- “price increases with strength”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “pricy but worth it”
Clears acne Sometimes Noted
- “cleared my hormonal acne”
- “faded post-acne marks”
- “stopped new breakouts”
- “pores look smaller”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “hard to get last bit”
- “pump stopped working”
- “can't see product remaining”
- “tube topples over easily”
Mild dryness Rarely Noted
- “need a thick moisturizer”
- “slightly drying at first”
- “skin felt a bit tight”
- “dry patches around nose”
Orange color transfer Rarely Noted
- “stained my white pillowcase”
- “leaves slight orange tint”
- “makes face look yellow”
- “watch out for sheets”
Sources: lovi.care, lookfantastic.com, dermstore.com, spacenk.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 a great fit for oily skin?
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 is a great fit for oily skin because it offers moderate skin rejuvenation through retinaldehyde, which helps manage cell shedding and smooth fine lines. Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E also provide essential moisture and gentle soothing care without causing harsh irritation.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Retinaldehyde and hyaluronic acid make this serum a good fit for oily skin by helping renew the skin and smooth fine lines while keeping it hydrated. Vitamin E also helps soothe the skin safely.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Retinal do for oily skin?
Retinal helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and clearing clogged pores when used daily. This ingredient is well-suited for managing breakouts while keeping skin smooth and calm.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and sebum production without causing irritation. Clinical studies show it successfully balances oil levels while keeping the skin comfortable.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, following the simple steps for active serums. Using it at night helps keep your skin safe from extra sun sensitivity.
Can I use it with niacinamide, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this treatment with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and following with this treatment once it absorbs. This combination helps keep your skin calm and hydrated while managing fine lines.
How often should I use it?
Use this treatment in your evening routine, starting just once a week to see how your oily skin responds before considering more frequent application. This gradual approach helps minimize potential irritation while providing effective rejuvenation.
Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2005
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, and the soothing ingredients like Vitamin E help keep the skin calm. Mild dryness may happen as your skin adjusts, but it is safe and does not carry risks of harsh irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical 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 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, 2017Topical application of tocopherol succinate ethosomal gel decreased erythema, melanin, and sebum levels while improving moisture content and skin elasticity in 34 human women.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Alpha-tocopherol loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel provided enhanced moisturizing and anti-aging properties in human volunteers over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Tocopherol succinate-loaded ethosomal gel increased skin deposition, stability, moisture, and mechanical properties in 13 human subjects compared to a control gel over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Twice 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 an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Squalane 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, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Retinaldehyde, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol Vitamin E, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Squalane, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.