Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 6 for combination skin
Retinaldehyde Vitamin A
Hyaluronic Acid
Tocopherol Vitamin E
Squalane
GlycerinAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 rejuvenation for your combination skin, as retinaldehyde and hyaluronic acid promote cell turnover and hydration, which can help manage oily shine.
- Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E provide general hydration and antioxidant protection, supporting your skin's overall health.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum as a "game-changer" for smoothing texture and brightening dull complexions without the harsh irritation often associated with retinoids. It is frequently recommended for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin who want to target fine lines and congestion, with many reporting "glass skin" results and visibly clearer pores within weeks.
Highlights
Gentle yet effective Mostly Mentioned
- “Zero irritation unlike tretinoin”
- “Gentle enough for sensitive skin”
- “No peeling or redness”
- “Great balance of power and comfort.”
Improves skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “Woke up with baby soft skin”
- “Bumps and texture vanished”
- “Glass skin effect”
- “Smoothed out my forehead.”
Clears acne & congestion Often Mentioned
- “Keeps hormonal acne at bay”
- “Cleared my congestion”
- “Pores look smaller”
- “Stopped my breakouts.”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “Very expensive for 30ml”
- “Wish it was cheaper”
- “Pricey investment”
- “Hard to justify the cost.”
Brightening & firming Sometimes Noted
- “Skin looks brighter”
- “Noticeable glow in the morning”
- “Face feels firmer”
- “Faded my dark spots.”
Pleasant user experience Sometimes Noted
- “Sinks in immediately”
- “Lightweight creamy texture”
- “Smells like vanilla/tonka”
- “Non-greasy finish.”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “Pump stopped working”
- “Hard to get the last bit out”
- “Tube topples over easily”
- “Cannot see how much is left.”
Yellow staining Sometimes Noted
- “Stained my white pillowcases”
- “Leaves yellow residue”
- “Turns my face orange”
- “Watch out for your sheets.”
Mild dryness/purging Rarely Noted
- “Caused some dry patches”
- “Had a slight purge initially”
- “Need a thick moisturizer after”
- “Made me flake a little.”
Scent preference Rarely Noted
- “Smell is too strong”
- “Don't like the vanilla scent”
- “Wish it was fragrance-free”
- “Scent lingers.”
Sources: lovi.care, cultbeauty.com, spacenk.com, dermstore.com, lookfantastic.com, adorebeauty.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 work for combination skin?
Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 6 works moderately well for your combination skin, offering cell turnover and hydration that may help manage oily shine while remaining safe and gentle. Treatment products for this skin need effective ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to regulate oiliness, enhance radiance, and provide balanced hydration.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Retinaldehyde and hyaluronic acid make this serum a good fit for your combination skin by promoting cell turnover and hydration, which can help manage oily shine. This product needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to better balance oiliness and maintain skin health without excess shine.
What does Retinaldehyde do for combination skin?
Retinaldehyde helps smooth and firm combination skin while improving the look of fine lines and texture. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used regularly, making it a well-tolerated choice for skin that can be both oily and dry.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening after cleansing and before moisturizing. A treatment of this type needs balancing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing vitamin E to keep combination skin hydrated while managing oily shine.
Can I use this serum with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and following with this treatment once it absorbs, or by using niacinamide in your morning routine and this treatment at night. This approach helps manage oily shine while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment works well for your combination skin in the evening routine, where you can start slowly. A product of this type needs soothing hydrators and gentle cell-renewing ingredients to manage oily shine safely.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This treatment is unlikely to cause breakouts, but mild purging or dryness may happen when you start using it. To care for combination skin properly, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to balance oily shine without heavy oils.
Is this serum 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 topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Twice 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, 2025A 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, 2017The 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, 2001
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Retinaldehyde, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol Vitamin E, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Lecithin, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate
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.