Best Medik8 products that are worth your money, from retinol to vitamin C skincare formulas

What’s useful about this retinal night serum is you can select between different strengths, depending on your skin type. For example, crystal retinal 1 is suggested for sensitive skin, 3 (£49, Medik8.com) is an option for beginners, 6 is for regular users (£66, Medik8.com), 10 (£89 , Medik8.com) is for advanced users and 20 (£99, Medik8.com) will suit experienced retinal fans.

We plumped for the first option to begin with, and this contains 0.01 retinaldehyde, a retinal billed as being more potent than popular vitamin A ingredient retinol. We followed the product’s instructions and began by using this night serum just twice a week for the first fortnight. This usage can then be increased to every other night for the next fortnight, although it’s important to see how your skin feels. If you’re experiencing any sensitivity, a top tip is to sandwich retinoids between two layers of moisturiser.

We applied this peach-coloured lightweight lotion to our skin and loved its sleek effect. It has a glossy yet fresh feel and sinks in quickly. While it’s too soon to see the full results, we enjoyed applying this night serum and our skin is coping well with usage. Just remember to keep on top of SPF application when using retinal or retinol, as they will make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays.

Read our full round-up of the best retinol serums

This white tube of clear-gel cleanser features straightforward information explaining the purpose of its key ingredients. Surface radiance cleanse contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHA/BHA) – which are chemical exfoliants – and these come in the form of lactic acid, salicylic acid and mandelic acid. Meanwhile, glycerin helps with promoting the skin’s moisture levels. The product is recommended for use up to twice daily. Alternatively, for those of us with sensitive skin, it can be used once daily or simply when you’re seeking a thorough cleanse.

We used our hands to massage the cleanser into our damp skin and enjoyed the refreshing effect on our face. Plus, it has an uplifting and crisp citrus scent, thanks to the inclusion of fruit extracts. After use, we saw brightened, glowing skin that was deeply cleansed and felt softened. Our IndyBest beauty experts tend to vary their use of this cleanser, depending on skin type – so, if your skin is prone to irritation, we’d recommend using it two to three times a week to start with. Plus, it’s important to apply SPF when using AHAs or BHAs, because, by resurfacing that top layer, they can make skin more prone to sun damage.

Read our full round-up of the best cleansers

What we noticed straightaway about this exfoliating tonic is the handy push-down pump, which enables quick application with a reusable facial pad. This bottle’s demystifying intel explains that its hero ingredient gluconolactone is a poly hydroxy acid, and this is less harsh for skin than other exfoliants. So, press & glow is suitable for daily use even if your skin is sensitive. Plus, because of this, it is ideal for use alongside retinol products. Meanwhile, prickly pear extract is in there to support the skin’s exfoliation, and aloe vera offers soothing benefits alongside cooling acai extract.

We wiped the tonic across our face and noted the formula has a cooling, fresh finish. It’s alcohol-free and didn’t sting our skin either. We saw an initial luminosity straightaway, and enjoyed using the tonic regularly for a gentle, glow-giving boost.

Read our full round-up of the best facial exfoliators

This silky soft oil-style serum contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is a stabilised source of vitamin C to brighten skin and help offer protection from premature ageing. It also contains moisture-boosting components, vitamin F and squalene. This means c-tetra luxe can help support the natural barrier if you have dry or dehydrated skin. As instructed, we applied six drops to our skin after cleansing and loved the softening, glossy feel of this serum. It has a comforting effect, which makes application enjoyable. We found our dry skin was given a non-greasy yet satisfyingly sheeny finish and have seen added radiance, so we’re excited to continue using it.

Another Medik8 vitamin C serum to try is c-tetra (£39, Medik8.com), which contains less tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Read our full round-up of the best vitamin C serums

This day moisturiser includes SPF30, and we’ve found it to be a soothing and smoothing skincare layer that feels nourishing and lightweight. As well as the included UV filters, key ingredients cover antioxidant moringa extract, peptide carnosine and hydration-promoting hyaluronic acid. It’s worth knowing this moisturiser is also designed to protect skin against blue light too. The white formula glides onto skin and becomes transparent as it absorbs, leaving a lightly moisturising finish. We enjoyed how soft our skin felt after application too.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a moisturiser containing both SPF and vitamin C, daily radiance vitamin C (£59, Medik8.com) is a multi-tasking skincare buy with a velvety soft consistency.

Read our full round-up of the best moisturisers with SPF

Should you be looking for a hydration boost to plump up the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this is the Medik8 buy to try. Key hydrating ingredients include hyaluronic acid and natural moisturising factors, while vitamin B5 is in there to help retain this moisture. It also contains antioxidant saskatoon berry. We applied six drops of the purple-coloured liquid, after cleansing in the morning and at night. It has a slightly runny consistency at first, and we found that enables quick and easy skin coverage. Plus, we noted the serum absorbs quickly. Although the product feels richly hydrating, the complex is lightweight on skin, which makes it easier to wear. In the time we trialled this serum, we saw a smoothing effect to drier patches of our skin and a gradual improvement to tightness and dullness. As such, we’re looking forward to continuing charting its skincare results.

For deeper-set wrinkles, liquid peptides (from £17, Medik8.com) is a serum with 30 per cent peptides for helping to add a plumper appearance to the overall skin texture.

We used this cleansing oil at night, to wash away our make-up and found the formula to be calming and softening as well as effortlessly effective at removing foundation, SPF and mascara. Ingredients include hydrating vitamin E, deeply cleansing moringa seed oil and omega-6-rich safflower oil. We massaged the formula into skin before adding water to see a milky texture and rinsing off. The oil efficiently takes off the day’s make-up and residue without being cloying, and as such we noted it had a comforting feel. Our skin was supple after use, and we also enjoyed its fresh citrus scent. If you’re partial to a double cleanse, use this product first.

Read our full round-up of the best cleansing oils

This retinal eye cream is a recent addition to Medik8’s line-up and comes five years after the original launch of crystal retinal. The clever complex combines retinaldehyde with hydrating hyaluronic acid and barrier-protecting ceramides. Plus, chamomile extract is in there to help soothe the undereye area. As with crystal retinal, there are different strengths available, including 3, 6 (£54, Medik8.com) and 10 (£70, Medik8.com).

We’ve been using this product for several weeks now, and tend to apply it two to three times a week, due to skin sensitivity, although you can use it every other night after a fortnight. The formula feels identical to crystal retinal, and it smooths onto skin to offer a moisturising boost. We have seen a brightened lift to our tired eyes, with our fine lines appearing refreshed. As with all retinoids, the results are seen with long-term use, and we will definitely continue adding this to our evening routine.

Read our full round-up of the best eye creams