Retinaldehyde (Retinal) Products
Retinal is the most powerful form of vitamin A available over the counter, being just one conversion step away from retinoic acid. It’s 11x faster-acting than traditional retinol*, delivering brighter, firmer, and smoother skin without any irritation. Medik8’s retinal skincare range, including our award-winning retinaldehyde serum, offers clinically proven solutions in strengths varying from 0.01% to 0.24%. Discover our range of retinal products, from eye creams to serums, designed to deliver visible youth-renewing results for even, radiant skin.
[1] G. Siegenthaler et al., Retinol and retinal metabolism, Biochemical Journal, 1990, 268, pp 371-378
0.2% Retinal serum for highly experienced vitamin A users - 11x faster than retinol
Experienced / €125
Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3
0.03% Retinal all-in-one ceramide night cream for vitamin A beginners - 11x faster than retinol
15ml / €53
Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 6
0.06% Retinal all-in-one ceramide night cream for vitamin A beginners - 11x faster than retinol
15ml / €68
Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 10
0.1% Retinal all-in-one ceramide night cream for vitamin A beginners - 11x faster than retinol
15ml / €85
Frequently Asked Questions
Retinaldehyde is a powerful derivative of vitamin A, known for its fast-acting age-defying benefits. Unlike retinol, retinaldehyde requires just one conversion step to become active in the skin, making it work 11x times faster than standard retinol* to target fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture.
We recommend starting with lower concentrations of retinaldehyde if you’re new to the ingredient, such as 0.01% or 0.03%, to allow your skin to adjust. Gradually, you can work your way up to stronger formulas like 0.2% or 0.24%, applying them in the evening after cleansing and before moisturising. Learn more about retinal in our guide.
Yes, retinaldehyde is our favourite form of vitamin A as it is gentle enough for sensitive skin and less irritating than traditional retinol. Medik8's retinal serums are specially formulated to minimise irritation while providing visible youth-renewing benefits.
Start by using retinaldehyde serum 2-3 times a week if you’re just beginning your vitamin A journey, then gradually increase to nightly use as your skin builds tolerance. Always follow with a moisturiser and use sunscreen during the day as part of your skincare routine. If you're already using vitamin A and switching to Medik8, you can use your serum every night, provided you choose a similar strength.
Retinaldehyde is known for its ability to accelerate cell turnover, boost collagen production, and visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and dark spots. It works faster than retinol, delivering smoother, youthful-looking skin with fewer signs of irritation.
Yes, retinaldehyde pairs well with other ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide. For best results, use vitamin C in the morning alongside sunscreen and retinaldehyde in your nighttime routine, the foundation of our CSA philosophy.
Medik8 offers a unique ladder of strengths in our retinaldehyde products, including both 0.1% and 0.2% retinal serums to cater to different skin tolerances and needs. The CR 10 0.1% concentration is ideal for advanced users, while CR 20 0.2% delivers more advanced results for those who are highly experienced vitamin A users looking for more intense results.
For beginners, we recommend starting with Crystal Retinal 1, which contains 0.01% retinaldehyde. It's perfect for introducing vitamin A to your routine with minimal irritation while still offering visible age-defying results.