A cosmetic chemist has shared one product that “transformed her skin” and it’s more powerful than retinol.
This luxury R-Retinoate Intense serum is priced at £229 on the Medik8 website, but we’ve found a retailer offering it at a substantial discount. For a limited time, shoppers can grab this coveted anti-ageing skin enhancer for £183.20 at Cult Beauty, saving over £45.
While it’s still quite pricey, those who have tried it maintain that it’s ‘worth every penny’ due to its effectiveness. Cosmetic chemist Alex, from the US, added Medik8’s R-Retinoate Intense into her nighttime routine and called it an “ultimate all-in-one product to target multiple signs of ageing”.
The chemist compared the power of the compound to retinol and explained why it’s more effective in diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. She shared it on TikTok: “This product combines their r-retinoate technology with an encapsulated retinal, so I won’t recommend wearing this during the day, but at night it’s perfect.
“To compare retinol, retinoate shows a better result 11 times faster as that conversion from retinol to retinal is quite slow and when they test on r-retinoate, they find it’s eight times potent as retinol, combining r-retinoate with encapsulated retinal can provide very quick and very pronounced results.”
Having tested the product for two months, she was impressed by the result and said: “I have been using this for two months and it has completely transformed my skin. If you are looking for the ultimate all-in-one product to target multiple signs of ageing, I can honestly say that I don’t think I found any product better than this.
“Using the r-retinoate intense with r-retinoate day for two months gave me some incredible results, the fine lines around my eyes, the milia on my eyelids and also the frequency to breakout, but adding this to my night time routine has kicked the results to overdrive.”
Indeed, users of this skin-perfecting solution report seeing a ‘massive difference’ in just a few days due to the powerful serum.
The brand claims that in just seven days, you can see visibly brighter and more even-toned skin. By the fourth week, many users report a significant decrease in wrinkles and diminished dark spots.
The serum contains retinal and should be introduced slowly into your skincare regime. Medik8 advises starting with twice-weekly applications for the first fortnight, then every other night for the next two weeks, before progressing to nightly use.
It’s important to note that retinal can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s essential to apply sunscreen every morning while using any vitamin A products. The £34 Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF 50+ by Ultra Violette comes highly recommended.
The R-Retinoate Intense boasts an almost perfect rating of 4.8 out of five on Cult Beauty and 4.7 out of five on Medik8’s own site. One satisfied customer exclaimed: “Amazing cream totally impressed. I’ve seen results just after a few days of use. Definitely my favourite.”
A second declared: “Okay, so you are not going to wake up the next day with glowing, wrinkle-free skin… but give it time. It really does work and if you can afford to stretch your budget to get the day/night intense retinoate too then I would recommend this product too. Yes, it isn’t cheap – but it lasts at least 6 months and it combines multiple products which allows you to streamline – this and a night cream and I’m done. I use the Medik8 night cream and my skin has never looked this good.”
Another added: “I have to take a deep breath when purchasing this as it is really expensive but the price tag is worth it in my opinion. I use two pumps every other night and I definitely see a difference. My skin is brighter, smoother and acne scars around my chin area are fading. Doesn’t give me dry flaky patches like other retinols either.”
One more chimed in, saying it’s “worth every penny,” and explained: “This cream is way above my normal skincare budget. But having had a sample I discovered how great it is. I have actually switched from a retinal with a higher percentage but get better results and clarity with this. Luckily a little goes a long way so it lasts ages too.”
One customer gave the Medik8 serum a lukewarm three-star rating, noting that they had better results with other items from Medik8’s anti-ageing range. They commented: “Everyone is different but this hasn’t been great for my skin.
“I’ve used two bottles to give it a fair try and I won’t purchase another. Going to stick with the CR 20 from now on. I understand it is supposed to be an all-in-one product but not in my case. I’ll stick with CR20, peptides and ceramides in the future.”
In stark contrast, another user was over the moon with the youth-activating serum, saying: “I’ve been using the Medik8 r-retinoate intense for a number of years now. I love the results.
“My skin has become much more hydrated and fine lines around my mouth and eyes have definitely improved. I’m 55 and my skin feels better than it did in my 30s. I’ve noticed a vast improvement in pore size which makes my foundation look and go on so much better.”
They added: “The product is expensive but you can use it alone so there is no need to add other products to the nighttime routine which I like. It’s best to work up with a lower retinol before using this as can feel very dry at first but after a while of continuing use, it glides on in just a few pumps and feels super moisturising. I love it.”
If budget isn’t a concern, we highly recommend the Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum 15ml. It does come with a hefty price tag of £145, but many are pleased they’ve splashed out on it. However, if you’re seeking something more affordable, the £50 Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment 30ml is a solid choice.
