medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 (US)

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Water
2. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
3. Glycerin
4. Isododecane
5. Cetearyl Olivate
6. Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
7. Cetearyl Alcohol
8. PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
9. Sorbitan Olivate
10. Tocopheryl Acetate
11. Squalane
12. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
13. Hydroxyacetophenone
14. Cyclodextrin
15. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
16. Sodium Polyaspartate
17. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
18. Sodium Hyaluronate
19. Phenoxyethanol
20. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
21. Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
22. Retinal
23. Alumina
24. Isostearic Acid
25. Lecithin
26. Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
27. Polyhydroxystearic Acid
28. Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
29. Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
30. Stearic Acid
31. Citric Acid
32. BHT
33. Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
34. Polysorbate 60
35. Disodium EDTA
36. Ethylhexylglycerin
37. Sorbitan Isostearate
38. Pentylene Glycol
39. Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
40. Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract
41. Coumarin
42. Red 4
43. Titanium Dioxide/Ci 77891

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains mineral oilContains PEGContains animal-derivedContains essential oilsContains fragranceContains EU-26 allergens

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

FRAGRANCE

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

IsododecaneCetearyl OlivateCetearyl AlcoholPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer

ANTICAKING

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Other ingredients

Sorbitan OlivateTocopheryl AcetateSqualaneHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerHydroxyacetophenoneCyclodextrin3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidSodium PolyaspartateHydroxypropyl MethylcelluloseSodium HyaluronatePhenoxyethanolTetrahexyldecyl AscorbateDaucus Carota Sativa Seed OilRetinalAluminaIsostearic AcidLecithinPolyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic AcidLonicera Japonica Flower ExtractLonicera Caprifolium Flower ExtractStearic AcidCitric AcidBHTRubus Chamaemorus Seed OilPolysorbate 60Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerinSorbitan IsostearatePentylene GlycolVanilla Planifolia Fruit ExtractDipteryx Odorata Bean ExtractCoumarinRed 4Titanium Dioxide/Ci 77891

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Light occlusive and solvent at 1–10%; non-greasy feel, suitable for oily and combination skin

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Isododecane

Synthetic hydrocarbon solvent providing dry, silky skin feel; high volatility, non-comedogenic, common in sunscreens and foundations, usage 5-30%.

Cetearyl Olivate

Natural emulsifier pairing with glucosides; skin-like feel, biodegradable, prone to oxidation requiring light protection

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Acrylate copolymer for film/thickening; water-soluble, compatible, monitor residual monomers.

Cetearyl Alcohol

Fatty alcohol emulsifier at 1-5%; non-ionic surfactant

PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer

Film former, hair styling, volatile, dry touch, non-comedogenic.

Sorbitan Olivate

O/W emulsifier, HLB ~15, requires ionic co-surfactant, potential sensitizer.

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

High-molecular-weight thickener and emulsion stabilizer; requires electrolytes or acid adjustment near isoelectric point for optimal performance.

Hydroxyacetophenone

Hydroxyacetophenone as antioxidant; often boosts Vitamin C, works in acidic pH.

Cyclodextrin

Cyclodextrin; used as a stabilizer or solubilizer to improve solubility of active ingredients and fragrances

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Water-soluble Vitamin C derivative; more stable than ascorbic acid, sensitive to metals and alkali.

Sodium Polyaspartate

Chelating agent and humectant, low irritation; improves surfactant performance in hard water.

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

High polymer for thickening and film formation; water-soluble, used in physical sunscreens or gels, tacky at high levels

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Lipophilic Vitamin C derivative, antioxidant and brightening; more stable than VC, oil-soluble, must pair with oil phase

Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil

Plant seed oil with antioxidants; may have natural fragrance, low photosensitizing potential

Retinal

Potent vitamin A aldehyde for cell turnover; low effective range 0.01-0.05%, unstable, avoid for pregnant users.

Alumina

Alumina, inorganic abrasive/thickener; nano-grade requires inhalation risk assessment.

Isostearic Acid

Fatty acid derivative as emulsifier auxiliary and emollient; insoluble, requires homogenization, may feel slightly greasy

Lecithin

Phospholipid emulsifier at 1-5%; biocompatible, moisturizing/antioxidant, prone to oxidation (add TBHQ), mild for sensitive skin.

Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate

Mild emulsifier for O/W systems; 1-3%, avoid cationic surfactants

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifier and stabilizer at 1–3%; non-ionic, prone to hydrolysis.

Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract

Honeysuckle extract for soothing; requires antimicrobial protection.

Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract

Honeysuckle extract for soothing and antioxidants; trace use, low allergenic risk

Stearic Acid

Fatty acid emulsifier, white waxy solid; adds slip feel

Citric Acid

Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH

BHT

Lipophilic antioxidant at 0.01-0.05%; ineffective with acidic systems, label-sensitive, check regulatory limits as preservative alternative.

Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil

Not decoded yet

Polysorbate 60

Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer for O/W or W/O stability; may cause mild stinging on sensitive skin, typically 1-5%.

Disodium EDTA

Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Sorbitan Isostearate

Non-ionic emulsifier (low HLB); typically used in blends, low comedogenicity, soft skin feel.

Pentylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract

Vanilla extract adds scent and soothing; acts as natural fragrance, dose carefully.

Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract

Not decoded yet

Coumarin

Classic fragrance and photosensitizer, EU restriction III/77; high allergen risk, limit in facial products

Red 4

Synthetic dye for coloration; use within legal limits.

Titanium Dioxide/Ci 77891

Efficient physical UV filter; nano-forms have inhalation risk, strictly banned in aerosols; non-comedogenic

Related products in this category

• synergie-skin Synergie Skin Suprema-C+ with 20% CMF Tri-acid Complex
• synergie-skin Synergie Skin Vitamin B
• loccitane L´Occitane Aqua Réotier Refreshing Eye Gel
• confianca Confiança Sulfur Soap
• seventyone-percent Seventyone Percent The Blue Lagoon
• florence-by-mills Florence by Mills Spot A Spot