Is Medik8’s Buzzy Skincare Worth the Hype?

I’d rank these peptides at the very top of all the Medik8 products I tested. I generally go from cleanser to moisturizer in my normal routine, but after using the brand’s Liquid Peptides, I’m truly a serum convert. The formula almost feels like a dry oil as it’s moisturizing and not sticky. Plus, my skin felt and looked bouncier after a single use. I applied it morning and night, namely to my forehead and laugh lines, and noticed subtle smoothing in those areas after a few days. Along with peptides, the formula features plumping hyaluronic acid to firm existing fine lines while preventing new ones from occurring.

My rating: 5/5

Medik8’s Crystal Retinal comes in six strengths, which is great for anyone looking to ease into a regular retinol routine. While I’m not new to the ingredient, I decided to start with level 3 for beginners. After about four days, I bumped up to level 6, which is considered regular strength. I actually found both versions to be pretty gentle. I applied the treatment at night before bed, and my skin looked noticeably smoother the next morning. I didn’t know it at the time, but the formula’s star ingredient, retinaldehyde, has been proven to work significantly faster than regular retinol. After a few days of using each version separately, my skin didn’t feel sensitive or irritated.

I can’t definitively say that the higher concentration retinal yielded better results, but I like having the option to switch back and forth between levels. My only complaint is that the cream doesn’t pump out easily. It’s almost like its formula is too thick for this type of format. I had to squeeze the cream to the bottom of the tube before pumping in order to get the product out.

My rating: 5/5

Similar to Crystal Retinal for the face, this eye-specific version is available in different potencies for the delicate area. And for an extra soothing touch, the retinal includes ceramides to help lock in moisture and is encapsulated, which means it releases slowly to prevent potential irritation.

I matched up the face and eye cream strengths, starting with level 3 and then working up to level 6 after a few days. I definitely noticed more immediate depuffing with the higher concentration, but under-eye smoothing took a few days for me to notice. Each strength felt mild and moisturizing, which is my preference for eye creams, and after a few days of testing with each strength individually, my under-eyes didn’t feel dry or uncomfortably sensitive.

My rating: 5/5

Vitamin C as a skincare ingredient is highly unstable, meaning it must be stored in just the right way to protect its efficacy. From a packaging standpoint, C-Tetra Luxe checks all the boxes to keep it as potent as possible. And inside, the serum has been newly updated with twice the amount of vitamin C for even more potency. Being new to Medik8, I didn’t have a chance to try the original formula, but I have tried other vitamin C serums, and this one is the best I’ve ever used, hands down.

To test it, I used a full dropper’s worth of product each morning, which was plenty for my face and neck. It wasn’t sticky, and it didn’t leave my skin feeling stiff or tight. I was skeptical about using it right after the exfoliating cleanser, but I didn’t experience any sensitivity. (Vitamin C can cause irritation, especially in higher concentrations, but I found this formula to be surprisingly gentle.) But what stood out to me the most was how moisturizing it felt—likely thanks to its blend of squalane, maracuja oil, and vitamin E. For this reason, it also layered nicely underneath my sunscreen.

My rating: 5/5

I typically opt for different moisturizers according to the season. As previously mentioned, I was dealing with areas of dry skin at the start of my testing journey and needed a rich cream to deeply moisturize without feeling too heavy, and Medik8’s Total Moisture Daily facial cream delivered on all fronts. It’s one product I feel I can use all year round. It has a medium weight to it, feels very cushy and soothing upon application, and isn’t greasy in the slightest. I can also layer sunscreen and makeup right over it without piling. The formula also contains many of the same key ingredients as other products on this list, including line-smoothing peptides, moisture-sealing ceramides, and varying weights of plumping hyaluronic acid.

My rating: 5/5

Medik8’s Surface Radiance Cleanse uses a trio of L-mandelic, L-lactic, and salicylic acids to gently buff away dead skin as you wash your face. I was a little leery of using an exfoliant on a daily basis—even in the form of a cleanser—but this formula isn’t harsh on my skin in the slightest. Its gel formula also makes for a great second-step option when double-cleansing. The cleanser lathers nicely and doesn’t leave me stinging or feeling extra dry after rinsing. It also feels very clean, and my skin looked brighter after my first use.

My rating: 4/5

Using a good cleansing oil is a must for me on days when I decide to wear makeup; it’s the only way I feel like I’m truly removing all product and dirt from my face. Medik8’s Lipid-Balance cleansing oil left my skin feeling refreshed and reset. Its consistency is slightly runnier than I would prefer, but it starts dissolving my makeup with very little effort, which I love. I also like that it contains omega-6 to fortify my skin’s natural barrier, along with moringa extract for antioxidant protection. Plus, some cleansing oils are hard to rinse off or leave a film behind, but not this option. Even my oily T-zone felt rejuvenated after a single wash.

My rating: 4/5