Skincare enthusiasts will be well aware of the benefits of using retinol to ward off signs of ageing, but have you ever thought about trying retinal?
Both are types of Vitamin A, but the latter is up to 11 times more potent than retinol – and you can try it now with an exclusive payday offer of 20% off, available until just 11.59pm on Sunday, October 27.
The deal is available from skincare brand, Medik8, which is offering 20% off all products across its whole website this weekend, if you use the code NEWS20 at checkout.
It’s a great opportunity to try out the Medik8 Crystal Retinal Vitamin A Night Serum, a highly concentrated retinal formula that smooths, brightens, clears and firms your skin. In fact, this is the most powerful retinal-based formula you can get your hands on without a prescription.
Despite its potency, 100% of customers surveyed said the face serum was gentle on their skin, while 97% also reported more youthful-looking skin, and 94% claimed they had never used a better night cream. The serum comes in five strengths, with Medik8 recommending a gradual increase when it comes to the strength you use.
A 30ml tube at regular strength is priced at £69 – but with the NEWS20 code this weekend, you can get this for just £55.20, reports the Daily Express. Meanwhile a 50ml tube would normally cost you £59, but is reduced to £47.20 with the discount.
Medik8 claims that their cream will fight free radicals and the damage they’ve caused, as well as balancing your complexion, and restoring your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
It is rated at 4.8 stars out of five, with over 3,700 reviews. One happy buyer called the serum “life-changing”, writing: “I’ve been working my way up the medik8 retinal ladder for a few years now. I have dry skin but have always suffered from the odd angry spot.
“Apart from a little tingling at the start of my journey I’ve experienced no sensitivity and my skin has been blemish-free, which is life-changing! I make the odd change to my skincare routine, but would never ever replace this essential.”
And another added: “I love this stuff! The serum absorbed quickly and didn’t feel heavy on my face. My skin looked clearer and more refreshed after using it for a few weeks. It was gentle and didn’t cause any irritation.”
However, the serum does not agree with all skin types, as one customer wrote: “I wanted to like this but something in it is breaking me out. I feel like this is better suited for normal to dry skin. I wake up greasy and my pores are more congested.
“I gave it a few weeks to see if it was just a phase, but it didn’t get better. Not worth it to me to keep with it as there are more options out there that do not do this to me.”
Meanwhile, for deeper wrinkles, Medik8 recommends the Liquid Peptides serum, usually retailing at £55, but reduced to just £44 in this weekend’s deal. This daily-use serum promises immediate results, tackling existing wrinkles and expression lines while helping to avoid new ones.
The Liquid Peptides serum has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 reviews.
One customer, who uses both the Liquid Peptides serum and the Crystal Retinal Night Serum, wrote: “I bought the Liquid Peptides to use daily in addition to my Crystal retinal that I use at night.
“My skin has never looked so hydrated and healthy. I am so impressed, I only wish I had found these products earlier. My new go-to for skin care.”
Another added: “I love to add liquid peptides to my morning and night time routine. They make my skin feel soft and plump. In the winter months I struggle with dry skin, liquid peptides really helps.”
But, as with the Crystal Retinal serum, the Liquid Peptides also does not work for everyone, as one less satisfied customer noted: “I had big hopes for this peptides but I couldn’t use it, I don’t normally have sensitivity issues with face products but this was the exception. Too bad for me.”
And another agreed, adding: “I have combination skin and it clogged pores. Unfortunately, I had to stop using it. I rate it three stars because it leaves my skin moisturized and plump.”
Finally, elsewhere on the Medik8 site, the Crystal Retinal formula has also been transformed into a potent eye cream, with the addition of ceramides for extra moisturising benefits.
Medik8’s Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye cream has seen 94% of users noticing a difference after just one night’s use. The eye cream already comes at a reasonable retail price of £42, but you can now get it for a more affordable £33.60 with the NEWS20 discount.
The eye cream has received similarly high praise to its face serum counterpart, also garnering 4.8 stars out of five from over 1,000 reviews.
One five-star reviewer wrote: “My eye area looks so amazing using this product. It has reduced my fine lines and given my under eye area a total make over.”
And another added: “Amazing product! I use a tiny bit around my eyes at night every other day and they feel super hydrated. The results are noticeable, and my eye area feels more defined and tight after a few weeks. I love this product and am so glad to find something that doesn’t irritate my super sensitive skin.”
However, one three-star reviewer noted that they did not notice the eye cream making a difference, writing: “I have been using as directed for at least a month or two and it has made no visible difference and leaves a heavy oil feeling on the skin after every use.”
If Medik8 is not your brand, you could always try the Retinal Supreme MultiCream 0.1%, priced at £47. Or, if you’re in need of a deeply hydrating overnight cream, Clinique’s Turnaround Overnight Revitalizing Moisturizer is available for £44 from Boots.
However, to start your Medik8 journey now, make sure to visit the brand’s website before 11.59pm on Sunday to take advantage of their deal.