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'My fine lines were less noticeable in 10 minutes': Our beauty editors' favourite Medik8 products
Meet the skincare brand acclaimed by derms and beauty experts
Earning a glowing product recommendation from the GH beauty team is no small feat, especially when it comes to science-based skincare. From hardworking ingredients to clinical testing, they need to do a lot, not just to earn our stamp of approval but to deliver a noticeable difference to our skin.
However, when the opportunity came to give our top Medik8 products a shoutout, we found it all too easy to name more than a few of our cult favourites.
Our beauty editors' top Medik8 products
A simplified regime that's easy to follow is something our beauty team is fully behind. So, from cleansers to serums and GHI award-winning night creams, these are the Medik8 products we reach for on the daily.
Scoring a whopping 88/100 in our GHI best night cream tests, this was our overall winner out of 19 tested by over 360 panellists for four weeks. Suitable for all skin types, this non-comedogenic peptide-infused AM/PM cream is the key to instant hydration, especially overnight – it’s packed with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to support the skin barrier and lock in moisture for hours.
"This refillable moisturiser is extremely silky in texture (with plenty of slip for massaging in), lends a lightweight glow that stays all day and never pills. For the first time in a while, my skin is plump and bouncy – I’m converted." – Chloe Woodland, beauty assistant
This might be the gentlest, most sensitive-skin friendly vitamin C serum we’ve used. Claiming to firm wrinkles in just one week, it’s packed with phyto exosomes that deliver bioactives to your cells – to support and protect the skin barrier, while also nourishing with all that juicy vitamin C.
If you’re targeting an uneven skin tone, especially during summer, this gets to work to hide hyperpigmentation almost as quickly as it sinks into skin. Rarely has a new launch become such an instant makeup bag staple among the GH beauty team.
We tried this serum out at launch and it impressed all three of our testers, all of different ages and skin types. An all-over wrinkle reduction serum, the Liquid Peptides Advanced MP contains a 30% multi-peptide complex that promises visible results in just 10 minutes and works even better with regular use.
From minimising crow’s feet to smoothing fine lines, this hardworking formula covers all bases, leaving behind a healthy, plumped complexion.
And it lives up to the hype. One of our testers said they thought the fine lines around their eyes were definitely less noticeable after 10 minutes.
“I’m devoted to retinoids (vitamin A) and have used them in some form, be that prescription or in beauty products, for 30 years. For those who want to try a retinoid but don’t know where to start, or have found retinol (the form that’s most commonly used in beauty products) irritating, I recommend this Crystal Retinal.
Retinal is another form of retinoid, which tends to be less irritating, especially when used in the ladder system Medik8 offers – as you finish one serum you can step up to the next level." – Eve Cameron, beauty editor
According to the GHI’s head of content, Medik8’s C-Tetra Luxe is the only product that has helped to reduce her sunspots.
Designed to supercharge the skin, this silky-smooth vitamin C serum delivers a radiant, lit-from-within glow and (as it's enriched with squalane and vitamin F) works to tackle dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It's become an essential staple of our skincare routine.
Look no further for a universally suitable toner that works just as well on sensitive skin without causing any irritation. Formulated with a non-drying PHA and enzyme activator, Press & Glow simultaneously helps to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells while aiding the absorption of vitamin A.
Simply swipe across the face twice daily using a cotton pad for a smoother, more even skin tone.
“I’ve never had any of the common problems with retinoids (the infamous sensitivity, flaking or redness), largely because I eased my way into the 'retinol journey' with this. It combines a powerful (but also gentle) form of vitamin A with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, so it feels more luxurious than most retinoid products.
It’s not cheap, but I think it’s completely worth it, if only to skip the overwhelm of getting to grips with a potentially confusing ingredient." – Alexandra Friend, senior beauty editor
“I love an oil-based cleanser for when I’ve been sweating off my SPF all day or out dancing all night – I always feel like it gets my face properly free of dirt. This lipid-balance oil does just that. Golden in hue and glow-enhancing, just one or two pumps of this melts my makeup away in minutes.
The formulation also contains anti-pollutant properties, showing environmental stressors the door after a long day of commuting through London. And I haven’t even got started on how soft my skin feels after using it. A hero product for sure." – Florence Reeves-White, senior beauty writer
"I wear this every single day and so do the multiple friends I’ve recommended it to. It’s a year-round daily sunscreen that comes in two factors (30 and 50), but it’s also comforting enough to double up as a day cream – and as someone with historically dehydrated skin, I never thought I’d say that about anything. Makeup works well over the top and it makes my mornings much easier. Love it." – Alexandra Friend, senior beauty editor
"If you (like me) are looking to smooth out tiny crow’s feet, the vitamin A here will do the job. Like the cult retinol serum for your face, this has a ladder system of progressive strengths, so you can continue to improve your results. There are three options to choose from – newbies should start at the first strength, which is three – and you can find yours with the brand’s strength finder quiz.
The retinal is also wrapped up in ceramides and hyaluronic acid to soothe any potential irritation (shout out to my sensitive skin comrades) and keep the delicate skin hydrated. The eye treatment market is a minefield, but as far as topical treatments go, vitamin A is one of the only ingredients that really will make a difference in the appearance of lines. The crepey skin around my eyes is always smoothed and lifted come morning after a sleepover session with this."– Maddie Evans, lifestyle writer
"It’s been surprisingly hard for me to find a good hyaluronic acid serum that ticks my boxes: not gloopy, not sticky and actually hydrates my skin noticeably.
This one is an all-round crowd-pleaser. I apply it to damp skin and it gives it a real, juicy plumpness, amping up hydration and making my skin look and feel bouncy." – Phoebe Lee, beauty writer
"I find that after a night using Medik8’s Sleep Glycolic exfoliator, my skin looks so much clearer and more refreshed, even if I’m not feeling particularly well rested! And as long as I don’t overdo it, the formula doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin." – Fleur Fruzza, beauty editor
"True to its name, this super C serum is is a pro at showing dark spots the door and does some heavy lifting when it comes to brightening up dull patches, too.
It uses a potent (yet stable – more than we can say for some vitamin C serums) form of this wonder vitamin called ethylated L-ascorbic acid, firming skin and giving you that elusive lit-from-within glow. If you have a bit of hyperpigmentation going on over summer when you forget to wear your sun hat, this is a handy solution."– Florence Reeves-White, senior beauty writer
For an equally refreshing and detoxifying daily cleanser, this gentle foaming formula is a winner. Although it’s infused with an AHA and BHA blend (which lightly exfoliates, helping to target blemishes), it’s also pH-balanced, meaning it won’t disrupt the skin’s natural balance.
Suitable for both morning and evening use, a single pump, when emulsified and massaged into the face and neck, is all you need.
FAQs
What is Medik8?
The B Corp certified, dermatological skincare brand was founded back in 2009 by scientist Elliot Isaacs and soon earned the professional approval of several Harley Street clinics.
Since then, Medik8 has grown to become one of the most results-driven, leading brands when it comes to skincare (especially anti-ageing), manufacturing and testing all of its products locally, in the UK.
What's special about it?
Medik8 is the master when it comes to the best retinol serums – a holy grail ingredient for tackling anything from fine lines and wrinkles to blemishes and hyperpigmentation. Using a one-of-a-kind progressive-strength tier system, the brand allows you to tackle an array of age-related skin concerns by finding a concentration that works best for your skin. Starting with the gentlest strength – Medik’s Crystal Retinal 1, £45 – you can work your way up through the different concentrations as far as you can, maybe even all the way to Crystal Retinal 24, £109.
However, vitamin A (aka retinol) isn’t the only reason we back this brand. Medik8 promotes a ‘CSA’ philosophy to keep your everyday skincare routine simple, but grounded in serious science. Its approach, which has been proven to address 90% of skin ageing concerns (having been clinically trialled on a group of 50 testers) simply consists of a vitamin C, a sunscreen (by day) and a vitamin A for the night.
A good vitamin C will provide antioxidant protection with a brightening boost, and stimulate the skin’s natural collagen production, while SPF shields skin from sun damage and helps to maintain a youthful-looking complexion. As for an expertly formulated vitamin A, this works to speed up cellular renewal as you sleep.
23 July 2025: We've updated this article with the latest prices and checked stock levels. We've also added more information into our buying guide.
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