Time Release Technology
Renowned by doctors, beauty bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts worldwide, retinol is widely recognised as the unparalleled champion in combating the signs of photoageing. It has earned its reputation as the gold standard in anti-aging skincare, surpassing all other alternatives. However, retinol is not without its challenges. When used in high concentrations to achieve visible skin improvements, it can often lead to irritation, including stinging, redness, and peeling. Determined to address this issue, the researchers at Medik8 embarked on a quest for a solution.
Introducing Time Release Technology
The side effects associated with retinol are primarily linked to the rapid and intense delivery of the active ingredient. To counteract this, Medik8 has ingeniously developed and patented a unique Time Release (TR™) delivery system. Our TR serums feature retinol encapsulated within a protective polymer shell. As the serum is gently massaged into the skin, the encapsulation gradually breaks down, releasing the retinol in a controlled manner over an extended period. This innovative approach significantly minimizes the risk of irritation while ensuring that the skin reaps the benefits of retinol slowly and steadily.
RETINOL
The classic form of vitamin A. Tried and trusted in numerous dermatological journals, retinol is the form of vitamin A that makes the headlines. When retinol is applied to the skin, it undergoes two conversions. First, it is converted to retinaldehyde and then to retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is the active form of vitamin A; the form that can actually be utilised by the skin. It triggers cellular renewal and collagen production to give the amazing effects experienced by retinol users. We have a comprehensive retinol product collection, ranging from Night Ritual Vitamin A™ (0.2%) for absolute beginners, to maximum strength Retinol 10TR™ (1%) for experienced vitamin A users.
RETINALDEHYDE
With innovation at our core, we just weren’t quite satisfied with our range of intelligent retinol serums. We decided to take vitamin A to the next level and introduce retinaldehyde – a next generation vitamin A molecule which is one step closer to retinoic acid than retinol. Delivering results up to 11 times faster than classic forms of retinol in Crystal Retinal™,1 retinaldehyde rapidly resurfaces the skin while helping rebuild collagen. Delivered in a crystal encapsulation system, the active is time released throughout the night. This means retinaldehyde is just as gentle on the skin as retinol, but has effects similar to prescription-strength retinoic acid. Unlike the other forms of vitamin A, retinaldehyde boasts direct antibacterial action, making it the ideal anti-ageing ingredient for blemish-prone skin. Available in four different strengths, start with Crystal Retinal 6™ or Crystal Retinal 3™ to get your skin used to the new vitamin A, using the retinal ladder, and then move up to Crystal Retinal 10™ when your skin is ready. For sensitive skin, we also have gentle-strength Crystal Retinal 1™.
RETINYL RETINOATE
A true breakthrough in anti-ageing skincare, this innovative active was the result of 8 years of research in collaboration with a Korean superlab. Retinyl retinoate is a hybrid molecule which fuses retinol and retinoic acid. Patented worldwide and exclusive to Medik8, this encapsulated new molecule exhibits properties of both source ingredients; improving the anti-ageing activity of retinol without the irritating side-effects of retinoic acid. Found in r-Retinoate®, it increases collagen production and wrinkle repair by up to 8 times more than standard retinol.2 Plus, unlike many other vitamin A derivatives, retinyl retinoate is much more stable in sunlight, meaning remarkably it can be used day and night for accelerated results.
The Retinol Ladder
Medik8 recommend that retinol application be phased in gradually. They have developed a ‘retinol ladder’ that allows the skin to adjust to the ingredient.
At first, start with a low-strength retinol twice a week for two weeks, then once every two nights for a further two weeks, and then nightly application. Once your skin has built-up a tolerance to the ingredient, you can then move on to higher-strength retinols. Medik8’s Retinol TR™ serum range comes in strengths from 0.1% to 1% retinol, so there is a vitamin A serum to suit every person, from retinol beginners to more experienced users.
Need help with choosing the right retinol for you? Speak to one of our skin experts