Medik8 review: I tested Medik8’s anti-ageing products for two months, and I’m sold
IF you’re considering investing in a new skincare regime, it always helps to know what the country’s top beauty editors and dermatologists are obsessed with.
And for years now, many of them have been singing the praises of British brand Medik8, so we’ve done a Medik8 review to see if the brand lives up to its reputation.
The appeal on paper is obvious: Medik8 is said to deliver real, noticeable results in the anti-ageing department, with science-driven products that feel great to use and don’t cost the earth.
In fact, the brand is so confident of its effectiveness that on its website it makes a pretty bold statement. It says that if you follow Medik8 advice, they believe you can look 40 when you’re 50. I don’t know about you, but that certainly got my attention!
As a woman in her late-30s who is regularly seduced by beautiful beauty products, I’ve always been a bit of a magpie in the skincare department. I use cleansers from here; toners and serums from there; moisturisers from elsewhere.
I take good care of my complexion but I’ve never been loyal to one particular brand. So I was interested that Medik8 promises not just anti-ageing science – which, with wrinkles starting to creep in, I definitely need – but an entire specific regimen I could follow.
I decided to put the brand to the test for two whole months. Did the years fall away? Read on to find out….
- Shop anti-ageing skincare at Medik8 – here
Pros
- Reduced the look of fine lines and improved glow
- Piece-by-piece is more affordable than many competitors
- Takes the faff out of deciding what to buy
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive to get started
- Routines can be time-consuming
- Takes a while to work, with skincare adjustment periods
- Choices feel overwhelming at the start
Rating: 4/5
What is Medik8?
Medik8 is a multi-step, science-led skincare programme designed to target a range of common complexion concerns, particularly the signs of ageing.
Based just outside of London, the company was founded in 2009 by scientist Elliot Isaacs, who wanted to create a skincare range that combined solid ethics with proven science.
At the beginning, the focus was really just on getting mature skin to look younger. But now there are more than 70 different products in the Medik8 line, and near-endless ways to combine them into customised ‘regimes’ that fit your precise skincare needs.
These regimes can be very personal but the reasoning underlying them always stays the same. It’s something that Medik8 calls ‘CSA philosophy’: Vitamin C, sunscreen and Vitamin A.
It’s the Vitamin A element in particular that Medik8 is best known for. With a wide range of products containing different strengths and types of Vitamin A (retinol, retinaldehyde/retinal and retinyl retinoate), it allows users to dial up or down in intensity depending on their skin condition and goals.
- Shop anti-ageing skincare at Medik8 – here
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How does Medik8 work?
Medik8 says that a successful anti-ageing skincare routine is based on three pillars: Vitamin C, sunscreen and Vitamin A, all of which come with loads of individual benefits.
Antioxidant Vitamin C functions to protect your skin from various environmental factors that cause skin ageing. It stimulates collagen production and promotes brighter skin. In the Medik8 system, you apply this every morning after cleansing.
It’s estimated that the majority of our skin’s premature ageing comes down to UV exposure from the sun, which is where the ‘S’ (sunscreen) comes in. Medik8 cleverly incorporates sunscreen into its daytime moisturisers, which you apply after the Vitamin C each morning.
Vitamin A is used only at night, in serums and creams that work as you sleep. This powerful anti-ageing element is the most important in reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles and firming skin texture. It helps turn over your skin cells faster, resulting in a fresher, smoother complexion.
As I mentioned, Medik8 employs a wide range of Vitamin A products to suit different skin types and ages. Its retinal line, for example, includes a sliding scale of products from Crystal Retinal 1 (for very sensitive skin) up to Crystal Retinal 20, for advanced users.
It’s important to manage the introduction and intensity of Vitamin A carefully as it can irritate skin if used incorrectly, so Medik8 gives plenty of guidance on its website.
Around the ‘CSA philosophy’, many other science-led products support the Medik8 skincare regimes. For example, peptides – short chains of amino acids – boost collagen, while AHAs and BHAs act as exfoliants.
- Shop anti-ageing skincare at Medik8 – here
Medik8 review: Our experience
First impressions
As someone who pays attention to my skin but doesn’t know much about the actual science of skincare, I found the Medik8 website a bit confusing at first. There’s a LOT of information on there. At the beginning I couldn’t quite work out… where do I actually start?
Thankfully, Medik8 does have some pre-set core regimes that you can order to get a feel for the brand. These range from the basic four-piece ‘CSA For Beginners’ – with just two steps in the morning and two at night – to complex regimes based around oily pores, acne and very mature skin.
As I have relatively trouble-free skin, I opted for the ‘Fine Lines Defence’ regime, which described itself as being designed to prevent and repair signs of premature ageing for skin 30+.
It involves a three-step routine in the morning and a six-step one at night, and the purchasing of eight different products, together totalling more than £300.
I’ll admit, this is a hefty initial outlay. While some premium skincare brands charge much more for their products, it still does take a substantial leap of faith (and a healthy bank balance) to get started when you need so much kit.
It’s an especially big investment when you realise that most of the products are only supposed to last you up to two months, according to Medik8 guidelines.
How to use Medik8
I spent my first month easing into the routine. You have to apply Vitamin A slowly at first to avoid skin irritation, gradually working up from bi-weekly use to every other day, and then – after four weeks – to nightly application.
Every morning I used the Surface Radiance Cleanse gel to wash my face, followed by the lightweight C-Tetra Luxe serum containing Vitamin C, and the Advance Day Ultimate Protect sunscreen with SPF50+.
At night, I would use the same cleanser, then the Press & Glow exfoliating tonic, collagen-boosting Liquid Peptides and Advance Night Restore night cream.
I applied two Vitamin A products as directed: all-over all-over Crystal Retinal 3 (the recommended introductory level for normal skin) and Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 6 around the eyes, to really target those fine lines.
If it sounds like a bit of a palaver, it kind of was. There were quite a lot of steps and a fair bit of waiting time every day, as I had to let each product soak in before applying the next.
Performance
For the first couple of weeks, it felt mostly like my skin was getting used to the change in products. I had a couple of zits pop up and my skin looked fairly unremarkable.
But about five weeks into using Medik8, I started to notice some subtle changes. My forehead lines looked smoother and particularly in the eye area I looked much brighter and – dare I say – a smidge younger.
When I hit six weeks, I seemed to have a small setback. For a few days, my skin went sensitive, flushed and bumpy. I’m not sure where the irritation came from and I’ve never experienced it before, but I scaled back the use of Vitamin A for a couple of days and it quickly dissipated.
By the time I had completed my two months of trialling, I was pretty sold. It had taken a while, but my skin did look softer and brighter, and my fine lines had reduced in appearance.
As an added bonus I had loads of product left over, suggesting that the ‘two months’ guideline Medik8 gives isn’t set in stone. I reckon my bottles will last me closer to four months — which I suppose you could say makes it half the estimated price!
- Shop anti-ageing skincare at Medik8 – here
Is Medik8 cruelty-free?
Medik8 shouts loudly about being a cruelty-free skincare line.
In fact, not only does it state that animal testing is ‘completely unnecessary’ when it comes to skincare development, it goes as far as donating to projects that contribute to the ending of animal testing worldwide.
The entire line is 100% vegan, too.
How to buy Medik8
Medik8 is available from a range of retailers, including:
However, if you buy direct from Medik8 you’ll know that you have access to the full range, and also that you’re purchasing products that work well together. What’s more, Medik8 offers 15% off your first order and promises a ‘no questions asked’ refund policy for 30 days.
Finally, it’s also worth noting that some products — for example, the Press & Glow tonic — have refill versions for sale on the Medik8 website. These might make the ongoing cost of running your regime that little bit cheaper. And who wouldn’t want that?
- Shop anti-ageing skincare at Medik8 – here
Medik8 review: The verdict
I’ll keep using Medik8 until I run out of product, and if I continue seeing the progress I have I’d be happy to reorder.
At the very least I’ll purchase my favourite products again: the C-Tetra Luxe Vitamin C serum that I apply in the morning (it makes my skin feel really silky), and the Advanced Day Ultimate Protect moisturiser (I can’t believe it’s a sunscreen, it’s so lightweight!).
I’d buy the Ceramide Eye 6 again too, as it seemed to be really effective in smoothing my under-eye area.
- Shop anti-ageing skincare at Medik8 – here