In a first for the brand, Medik8 is bringing their award-winning Crystal Retinal into the clinic with the launch of the Crystal Retinal Age-Defying Facial. ProCollective was fortunate to be among the first in New Zealand to experience the treatment during Medik8’s Head Educator Laura Ford’s recent visit to Sydney.

Read on for everything you need to know about the new professional treatment and our honest verdict.

The lowdown               

Treatment: Medik8 Crystal Retinal Age-Defying Facial

Where: Available at Medik8 clinics nationwide.

Until now, Medik8’s CSA Philosophy (vitamin C plus sunscreen by day and vitamin A by night) has not been able to be optimised for the treatment room. Clinically proven to deliver visibly smoother, firmer, more radiant skin in just 1 hour*, the new multi-step, customisable facial is slated to be the brand’s signature treatment. It brings together the benefits of their best skincare ingredients into one facial, with a straightforward way to customise for the individual client’s needs.

The benefits

– Brightening and clarifying

– Energising and plumping

– Firming

– Age-defying

My experience

I’m not going to lie; I went in to the treatment room with high hopes. After all, Medik8 has made us wait for some time to experience their renowned Crystal Retinal range professionally.

To begin, the lovely Laura conducted a thorough skin consultation. I have a classic combination skin type: an oily T-zone, some dryness, mild rosacea on my right cheek, and some lingering skin trauma from a case of perioral dermatitis early last year. I also flagged that I have very heat-reactive skin, which flares up during facials. Laura then took me through how she’d be customising the treatment to suit my skin. A couple of tweaks included a milder dose of Crystal Retinal tailored to my vitamin A journey (zero this year) and a protective barrier cream—Medik8 Ultimate Recovery—over the area where I’d had perioral dermatitis to avoid further aggravation.

Skin prep

The treatment began with a double cleanse: first using Medik8’s Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil, followed by a second cleanse using Calmwise Soothing Cleanser for my rosacea-prone skin, instead of the usual Surface Radiance Cleanser. My skin was then toned with Press & Clear.

Enzymatic exfoliation

Following skin prep, a thin layer of Superfacial (peel) was massaged into my face, neck, and décolletage. After about 10 minutes, it was gently removed with a warm towel.

Crystal Retinal Signature Mask

This phase in the facial, AKA “where the magic happens”, features a supercharged retinal mask, expertly customised to target my skin. A personalised dose of fast-release Crystal Retinal Concentrate drops is added to the hydrating Activating Mask. This combination of retinal and Activating Mask is specifically designed to renew and energise the skin, visibly smoothing, plumping, and reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Further customisation is guided by specific skin concerns, incorporating measured doses of pure ascorbic acid to brighten and pure charcoal powder to clarify and tackle congestion.

Medik8’s Signature Massage

In my experience, retinol (or in this case, retinal) and relaxation don’t usually go hand in hand. I didn’t expect a treatment with such a heavy-hitting ingredient like vitamin A to be SO heavenly.

“The Activating Mask creates the perfect foundation for a massage,” Laura tells me. The signature massage, designed by UK master facialist Michaella Bolder, enhances retinal absorption while sculpting the contours of the face and promoting lymphatic drainage.

While Laura warned me the massage techniques can feel “quite intense” in areas and my muscles could feel a “little tender” afterwards, I didn’t find this to be the case. I slipped into a dreamlike state right about here, with a neck and shoulder massage (or you could opt for the scalp massage) sealing the deal.

Final touches

Post-mask, my skin was once again toned with Press & Clear, followed by the application of tailored serums. Given my skin’s redness, Laura used Calmwise Serum, a soothing elixir perfect for calming irritation. I’ve been using this for the past few weeks and my skin is drinking it up. To finish, Daily Radiance Vitamin C was applied to my face, neck, and décolletage. As it was now evening (and I was making a speedy beeline for bed), no SPF was needed.

My verdict

Circling back, my expectations were high. So, was Medik8’s first Crystal Retinal treatment worth the wait? 1000%!

The only word I could utter when the treatment wrapped sums it up: “INCREDIBLE.”

Once the redness subsided (about 15 minutes), my skin looked bright, dewy and healthy – like that post-run glow minus the sweat. My muscles didn’t feel tender, just looser, similar to after a deep tissue massage. I couldn’t recommend this facial more highly!

*Proven via independent consumer study on Crystal Retinal Age-Defying Mask on 18 volunteers over 4 weeks

Images: Supplied