To help you find the best of the best, Allure editors put Medik8’s top products to the test. Here are the glow-getting favorites that truly live up to the hype.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Crystal Retinal 3
Why we love it: Dr. Engelman says if she could choose only one product from this brand to use forever, it would be Medik8 Crystal Retinal. Unlike retinol, which needs two conversion steps to become active in the skin, retinal (a.k.a. retinaldehyde) only needs one, making it faster and more effective. “Medik8 offers it in six progressive strengths, ranging from 0.01% to 0.24% retinaldehyde, which allows you to gradually build your skin’s tolerance while increasing potency without the typical irritation,” says Dr. Engelman. Level 3 is ideal for beginners with normal skin, delivering visible results with hydration and glow with minimal irritation or flaking. “It’s also formulated with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to buffer any potential irritation, and the texture is creamy and fast-absorbing,” Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in LA, previously told Allure.
“I discovered this retinal serum via the Allure Beauty Box, and it instantly became a new favorite. The brand makes it simple to ease into retinal use: You start with level 1 (sensitive) or 3 (beginner), then graduate to higher concentrations once your skin can tolerate them. I haven’t experienced any irritation with level 3, a rarity for my sensitive skin.”
Key ingredients: retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycerin
Who it’s for: retinol beginners
Fragrance-free: yes
The Wrinkle Whisperer: Liquid Peptides
Why we love it: If you’re new to Medik8, Liquid Peptides is the perfect place to start—especially if softening fine lines and wrinkles is at the top of your skincare goals, says Dr. Engelman. “It’s gentle enough for all skin types yet highly effective,” she notes. The formula packs over 10 peptides into a concentrated 30% blend to target fine lines, expression lines, and deeper wrinkles. What makes it truly stand out is its futuristic-sounding delivery system: “It has drone-targeted copper peptide technology, which ensures each peptide is delivered precisely where it’s needed for maximum results,” she says. Expect firmer, plumper, smoother skin in as little as a week.
“This silky, fast-absorbing texture feels weightless yet deeply hydrating on the skin, like a thick moisturizer. It’s packed with a 30% peptide complex and hyaluronic acid to instantly plump my skin. No joke, after using this, the bounce my skin has is comparable to a trampoline. Not to mention, it layers like a dream under makeup—no pilling here.”
Key ingredients: peptide complex (30%) (10 types, including matrixyl 3000 and copper peptides), multi-weight hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Who it’s for: people with fine lines or wrinkles
Fragrance-free: yes
The Fountain of Youth: Liquid Peptides Advanced Face Serum
Why we love it: If you loved the original, Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced is like its overachieving big sister. Dr. Engelman calls it “an exceptional serum designed for all skin types,” and with 13 powerful peptides, it goes all in on softening fine lines and deep wrinkles. A high-tech ingredient called a growth factor miniprotein “activates a key skin regeneration pathway and delivers filler-mimicking results—relaxing expression lines in just 10 minutes and visibly reducing deep wrinkles in eight weeks,” says Dr. Engelman. It also plays well with injectables, helping to extend and enhance your results. Plus, it hydrates deeply without ever feeling tight or sticky.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“I may not be the target target audience for this product (I’m only 32!), but I’ll be darned if I don’t stave off fine lines (especially those creeping up on my forehead) as much as possible—without, as a personal preference, turning to in-office procedures such as filler and Botox. Liquid Peptides Advanced has a wonderfully lightweight watery-gel consistency that fits in perfectly with my extensive nighttime routine—I’ll even pair it with retinol for a one-two texture-smoothing, skin-plumping punch. What follows (my night cream) sinks in quickly, and my face doesn’t feel like I’ve glooped on ten layers of product (even if I actually have).
Key ingredients: peptide complex 13 types (including matrixyl 3000 and copper peptides), multi-weight hyaluronic acid, carnosine, growth factor miniprotein
Who it’s for: people with deep-set wrinkles or expression lines
Fragrance-free: yes
Your SPF BFF: Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF 50+ PA++++
Why we love it: You can layer serums like a pro and jade roll ‘til your arms give out—but without sunscreen, any skin-care routine will sink. Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect is an all-in-one SPF that shields your skin and helps undo sun damage. With SPF 50+ and PA++++ (the highest rating of UVA protection), it protects against UV rays, pollution, blue light, and infrared (a.k.a. your skin’s daily enemies), while ingredients like light-activated photolyase and antioxidant ectoin support repair and defense. It’s hydrating, smoothing, and invisible on all skin tones—and clinically proven to firm and rejuvenate in just seven days.
“Ever since I got an advance sample when I visited Medik8’s offices/labs back in late January (humble brag), I’ve been awaiting its US launch. This sunscreen is a dream for dry skin, as it’s incredibly moisturizing, but I personally love the dewy finish it leaves behind on my combination skin. If that’s not your vibe, take heed! It’s slightly off-white coming out of the tube (looks like any other day cream I use), but sinks in immediately (no long period of rubbing in required!) and doesn’t leave a white cast.”
Key ingredients: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octocrylene, ectoin, squalane, hyaluronic acid (multiple weights)
Who it’s for: everyone
Fragrance-free: yes
Retinol’s Chiller Cousin: Bakuchiol Peptides
Why we love it: If your sensitive skin just can’t with retinol—even in its gentlest form—Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides delivers similar smoothing, brightening benefits without the irritation. This plant-powered serum pairs 1.25% bakuchiol with 10 hardworking peptides to boost collagen, even out tone, and soften the look of fine lines. Each peptide tackles a different task (like minimizing expression lines or fading dark spots), while calming cica and barrier-loving oils like olive, jojoba, and moringa keep skin nourished and soothed. Plus, it’s packaged in a UV-protected bottle with photo-stabilizers to keep all that glow-boosting goodness effective for as long as possible.
“Medik8’s double dose of bakuchiol and peptides perks up my ever-so-slightly sagging skin (you may not notice, but I see it) when I need the pick-me-up,” shares former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “Its lightweight, fluid formula dries down fast and leaves my skin feeling velvety smooth and primed for my next skin-care step.”
Key ingredients: bakuchiol, amino acids, olive oil
Who it’s for: people with dry or dull skin, or anyone looking to skip retinol entirely
Fragrance-free: yes
Glow with the Flow: Press and Glow Toner
Why we love it: At Allure HQ, we’ve long been on a mission to erase the memory of stinging toners from years past, and Medik8 Press & Glow might just be the one to accomplish that. “Press & Glow is a daily exfoliating PHA tonic that gently removes dead surface cells to reveal more radiant skin,” says Dr. Engelman. “Clinical studies showed a 20% improvement in skin glow within just four weeks.” Formulated with gluconolactone (a moisture-retaining polyhydroxy acid or PHA), this gentle-yet-effective tonic exfoliates without stripping your skin. It’s even suitable for sensitive types, thanks to soothing ingredients like aloe vera, acai, and prickly pear extract, which, as Dr. Engelman notes, “support visible clarity and luminosity.” She also loves it as a makeup prep step: “It enhances the absorption of other products and provides a more even surface for application.”
This toner is anything but astringent—it’s infused with aloe vera to soothe irritation, boost moisture retention, and help defend against free radical damage.
Key ingredients: gluconolactone (PHA), prickly pear extract, acai extract, aloe vera
Who it’s for: people with dull or dry skin
Fragrance-free yes
The Clean Sweep: Surface Radiance Cleanse
Why we love it: You want your cleanser to sweep off the day at a minimum, but Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse goes above and beyond. “It’s an antioxidant-infused formulation with a unique exfoliating AHA/BHA complex that effectively cleanses while minimizing visible signs of aging such as dullness and uneven texture,” says Dr. Engelman. Boosted by glow-boosting ingredients like salicylic acid, glycerin, and mangosteen peel extract, it removes impurities while supporting your skin’s moisture barrier—so you get the deep-clean feel without the post-wash tightness. “I love how the gel transforms into a light foam upon contact with water and delivers a refreshing, citrusy scent,” she says.
Mangosteen peel extract gives this cleanser that spa-like scent and helps calm and brighten your skin, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers.
Key ingredients: L-mandelic acid, l-lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin, mangosteen peel extract
Who it’s for: everyone
Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the experts
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic based in New York City, and member of Medik8’s Global Panel of Experts
- Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in LA
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Medik8 products, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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