medik8 Crystal Retinal 1

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. Aqua
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. Titanium Dioxide
12. Squalane
13. Eclipta Prostrata Extract
14. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
15. Phenoxyethanol
16. Cyclodextrin
17. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
18. Sodium Hyaluronate
19. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
20. Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
21. Alumina
22. Isostearic Acid
23. Lecithin
24. Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
25. Disodium EDTA
26. Hydroxyacetophenone
27. Polyhydroxystearic Acid
28. Stearic Acid
29. Ethylhexylglycerin
30. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
31. Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
32. Sodium Polyaspartate
33. Climbazole
34. Retinal
35. Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract
36. Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
37. Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
38. Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
39. Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
40. Polysorbate 60
41. Sorbitan Isostearate
42. Pentylene Glycol
43. Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
44. Decylene Glycol
45. BHT
46. 1,2-Hexanediol
47. Coumarin

Highlights

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

Formulation view Light O/W emulsion with 1% Retinal for cell turnover. Antioxidants include ascorbate derivatives and botanicals. Uses cyclodextrin inclusion for stability. For nightly anti-aging. Formulation note: Retinal is potent; stability and photosensitivity management are key.

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

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 AcetateTitanium DioxideSqualaneEclipta Prostrata ExtractHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerPhenoxyethanolCyclodextrinHydroxypropyl MethylcelluloseSodium HyaluronateTetrahexyldecyl AscorbateMelia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractAluminaIsostearic AcidLecithinPolyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleateDisodium EDTAHydroxyacetophenonePolyhydroxystearic AcidStearic AcidEthylhexylglycerin3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidDaucus Carota Sativa Seed OilSodium PolyaspartateClimbazoleRetinalDipteryx Odorata Bean ExtractLonicera Japonica Flower ExtractLonicera Caprifolium Flower ExtractRubus Chamaemorus Seed OilMoringa Oleifera Seed OilPolysorbate 60Sorbitan IsostearatePentylene GlycolVanilla Planifolia Fruit ExtractDecylene GlycolBHT1,2-HexanediolCoumarin

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

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

Titanium Dioxide

Physical UV filter and colorant up to 25%; nano form requires attention

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Eclipta prostrata extract used for antioxidant and hair coloring; water-soluble, low irritation and comedogenic risk at typical levels.

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

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

Phenoxyethanol

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

Cyclodextrin

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

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

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

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

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Plant extract, 0.1–1%; has antibacterial properties, allergy testing advised.

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

Disodium EDTA

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

Hydroxyacetophenone

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

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

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

Stearic Acid

Fatty acid emulsifier, white waxy solid; adds slip feel

Ethylhexylglycerin

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

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

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

Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil

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

Sodium Polyaspartate

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

Climbazole

Antifungal preservative at 0.05–0.1%; irritating to skin/mucosa, avoid eye area and broken skin.

Retinal

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

Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract

Not decoded yet

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

Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil

Not decoded yet

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Light emollient oil rich in oleic acid; moderate comedogenic risk.

Polysorbate 60

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

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.

Decylene Glycol

Multi-functional thickener and preservative booster, 0.1–0.5%; low viscosity, good compatibility

BHT

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

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyol solvent and preservative booster at 1–5%; light feel, can replace some traditional preservatives

Coumarin

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

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