PRODUCT REVIEW: MEDIK8 RETINOL 10TR - THE ULTIMATE ANTI-AGEING SERUM

Today, I am going to talk about Retinol, the power ingredient proven to provide anti-ageing benefits, and I dare say, one of my favourite skincare ingredients, as it simply has so many visible benefits to the skin.

Retinol, or Vitamin A as it is also called, is a no-no ingredient if you are pregnant or lactating, as it is believed to cause damage to the unborn child - so I have had a few times during my pregnancies and whilst breastfeeding my two boys, where I’ve had to stop using it. But as soon as I could, I couldn’t wait to start again.

Retinol does however have some side effects (apart from the above), and can make the skin quite dry and irritated, as well as more sensitive to the sun, if you’re not careful, and if you don’t gradually get the skin used to it.

Medik8 has several professional strengths available, so you can start at the lowest strength and then slowly increase. They thus have Retinol 3TR, 6TR and 10TR strength available, which describes the strength, or percentage if retinol in the product, ie, 0.3%, 0.6% or 1% Vitamin. As well as gradually increasing the strength, it is also advised to only use during the night (to avoid any sun exposure).

I have finally progressed to the strongest version, after using up first a bottle of 3TR, then 6TR, so now I’m using the Medik8 10TR, and been absolutely loving it.

These formulas have a high-tech time-release delivery system that gradually releases the vitamin A during the night - the most optimal time for the skin to repair and replenish itself.

The Retinol helps regenerate the epidermal layer of the skin, stimulate the collagen production, refine skin tone and brightens up darker patches on the skin by accelerating natural skin cell turnover. It also helps unblock pores and regulate sebum production to clear and prevent acne and blackheads. The facial contours are smoothed, through stimulation of collagen and elastin production leading to a more youthful skin appearance.

In other words, the Retinol 10TR Serum helps with:

• Reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles 
• Smoothing and firming the skin 
• Correct the appearance of photo-damage 
• Brighten dark patches and refine skin tone 
• Reduce congestion and clear the skin 
• Maintain healthy skin cell turnover 

The key ingredients in the Retinol 10TR are;

• Pure All-Trans Retinol (1%) to maintains healthy collagen synthesis and helps improve skin texture.
• Vitamin E, antioxidant, helps to protect skin from free radical damage and act as a stabiliser for vitamin A (retinol)
• Safflower Oil, an antioxidant known for its moisturising and rejuvenating properties. Its consistency allows the oil to spread onto the skin with ease whilst ensuring optimum absorption

Normal retinol serums and creams can be very drying in the skin, but thanks to the added Safflower oil and Vitamin E, it is actually leaving my skin feeling so soft and smooth. And you could imagine that the added oil would leave it greasy or tacky, but that is far from the case, it does take a few moments to absorb into the skin, but once it has, the skin is soft and smooth, and you can apply your usual night cream on top, to seal in the serum and add more moisture and nourishment.

The serum comes in a small bottle but is very concentrated, and I found that I only need about 3-4 drops to cover my full face and neck, and the little bottle has a little dropper that makes dispensing it easy.

What I don’t like:

• Not suitable during pregnancy and lactation
• Can make the skin sensitive to the sun, dry and irritated
• A little on the pricey side, but it is very concentrated

What I like:

• Free from parabens, preservatives, and fragrances free, it has next to no scent
• Visible and quick results results, that keeps improving with prolonged use

My Verdict:

Personally, I am not concerned with the Retinol not being suitable during pregnancy and lactation as those days are over me, and I have not experienced any side effect, again, as I’ve taken the time to follow the recommendations and slowly increase the strength.

Having anti ageing concerns including increasing pigmentation, both from a sun-worshipping past, and not to mention the after-effects of two pregnancies, increasing lines and wrinkles, along with a break-out prone skin, I absolutely love that this serum both targets all of these issues.

I love that each morning after use, I wake with a skin that is so soft, and it has a lovey glow, no signs of redness or irritation. And while I have been using retinol for some time, with the increase in strength, I also noticed that smaller lines and wrinkles appear reduced and my skin is less greasy, and I seem to be getting less breakouts. As for my pigmentation, areas of pigmentation appear diminished and my overall skin tone simply more even, and my skin clearer and more radiant. and dare I say, thereby more youthful too.

But I also love that it helps with breakouts, clearly helping to unblock pores, Its like this retinol serum has been specifically created for my skin, and it has seriously made such a huge improvement that I never want to be without it again.


RRP: $99 (15ml) – Available from Medik8, RY and Advanced Cosmeceuticals or call on 1800 242 011 for further stockists

Some products may have been kindly provided for editorial consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy, and reviews are 100% honest and based on personal opinion and experience. Note that The Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter is not a professional or expert, so please do not substitute these opinions as professional advice.

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