Is Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense The Best Antiaging Product Ever?

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense claims to be the “best anti-aging product” ever. For once, it may NOT be all hype. This is the first time that Retinyl Retinoate and Retinaldehyde – two forms of vitamin A that are more effective and gentler than retinol – come together in the same cream. Exciting, isn’t it? The price is less so… Medik8 really believes this is the best antiaging product you can buy in the shops (or online) and the price reflects that. I don’t mind splurging if I am 100% sure it works. Does it? I’ve put it to the test to find out:

What’s In Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense?

RETINYL RETINOATE: 8x MORE POWERFUL THAN RETINOL?

Retinoic acid is the active form of vitamin A proven to reduce wrinkles. All other forms of Vitamin A (retinoids) must be converted into retinoic acid to have an effect on wrinkles. Retinol is the most common form of Vitamin A in OTC products. It converts into retinoic acid in two steps: Retinol → Retinaldehyde → Retinoic acid.

Put retinoic acid and retinol together and you’ve got Retinyl Retinoate. This molecule is gentler than both retinol and retinoic acid AND stable in the presence of light. You know what that means? You can put it in jars AND use it during the day.

FYI, Retinyl Retinoate needs to be converted into retinoic acid, too. It works like this: when you put it on your skin, your cells break it down into retinoic acid and retinol. Retinoic acid is effective straight away. Retinol? It takes more time, but your skin eventually converts that into retinoic acid, too. Studies on Retinyl Retinoate are scarce but promising:

• A 2010 study found that 0.06% Retinyl Retinoate is more effective at treating periorbital wrinkles (i.e. wrinkles around your eyes) than 0.075% retinol – and gentler too.
• Another 2010 found that Retinyl Retinoate increases the production of Hyaluronic Acid in the skin and is less irritating than other retinoids.

If you can’t tolerate retinol, this sounds like a great option to consider. P.S. You’ll find encapsulated Retinyl Retinoate only in Medik8 products, like Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense.

Related: What’s The Best Form Of Retinoids For YOU?

RETINALDEHYDE: 11x MORE POWERFUL THAN RETINOL?

Retinaldehyde needs to be converted into retinoic acid to work its magic, too. The conversion takes only 1 step: Retinaldehyde → Retinoic acid. You see now why retinaldehyde is said to be 11x more powerful than retinol? Science agrees:

• A 1999 study found that retinaldehyde “has many of the properties of tretinoin in its beneficial effects on photoaging”. It reduces UVA damage, boosts collagen and repairs elastin fibers.
• A 2005 study confirms its collagen-boosting abilities and suggests retinaldehyde works even better when paired with other antioxidants (no one likes to play alone).
• A 2013 study proves it’s just as good at fading dark spots. It works by reducing melanin concentration in the skin.
• A 2002 study discovered its has powerful antibacterial properties that kill P.Acnes, the bacteria that causes acne.

Translation: retinaldehyde helps fade away wrinkles, dark spots and acne. The best part? It’s gentler than retinol, so even sensitive skin can use it. But just to be on the safe side, Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense uses microencapsulated retinol. That’s a fancy way of saying retinaldehyde is housed into tiny capsules that release it into the skin over a period of several hours instead than hitting it all at once.

Related: Is Retinaldehyde A More Powerful Alternative To Retinol?

CERAMIDE COMPLEX TO STRENGTHEN YOUR SKIN’S PROTECTIVE BARRIER

Ceramides are the glue that holds your skin cells together (together with fatty acids, cholesterol etc). They literally waterproof skin and strengthen its protective barrier. This barrier has two jobs:

• It keeps moisture in, keeping skin hydrated
• It keeps bacteria, germs, pollutants, and all sort of nasty stuff out of the body, preventing infections and irritations

You’ll notice when this protective barrier stops working. UV rays, pollution, a poor diet, smoking (and all the other usual suspects) can destroy the ceramides in your skin, leaving holes all over the barrier. Moisture escapes so your skin gets dry and flaky. Germs and bacteria make it all red and sore. Heck, even washing your face or applying moisturiser can be irritating and painful.

Strengthening the skin’s protective barrier is always a priority. It’s even more important when you’re using powerful actives like retinoids or vitamin C that – when abused – can disrupt this barrier. Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense uses 3 types of ceramides to strengthen your skin’s barrier and patch up any holes in it, keeping your skin hydrated and strong.

Related: Are Ceramides The Key To Healthy Skin?

Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):

The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients

• Aqua (Water): This is literally just water, the stuff you drink. Except it’s the base of this whole formula and basically all other ingredients dissolve into it or get suspended in it so you can actually spread this on your face.
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: This comes from coconut oil and it makes products feel nice and silky on your skin.
• Glycerin: It grabs water from the air and pulls it into your skin and then holds onto it so your skin stays plump and hydrated.
• Butylene Glycol: Another humectant that does the moisture thing but it also helps other ingredients penetrate deeper into your skin.
• Isododecane: This is a silicone that evaporates super fast after you put it on which sounds weird but it’s actually what gives you that nice lightweight feel and helps everything spread easily without feeling heavy or greasy.
• Squalane: This is basically mimicking the oil your skin naturally makes which means it absorbs really well and helps your moisture barrier stay strong and healthy without clogging your pores or causing breakouts.
• Cetearyl Alcohol: It moisturizes your skin and helps thicken up the formula so it’s not runny and watery.
• Dimethicone: This is silicone and it just creates a protective layer on your skin that locks in moisture while still letting your skin breathe. It gives you that smooth silky feel that makes the product nice to use.
• Cetearyl Olivate: This comes from olives and it’s an emulsifier which means it’s what keeps the oil parts and water parts mixed together so you don’t end up with separation.
• Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer: This is a mouthful but it’s basically a thickener and stabilizer that gives the product that bouncy gel-like texture and keeps everything suspended evenly.
• Polylactic Acid: It literally fills in your fine lines and pores right away to make your skin look smoother.
• Cyclodextrin: This is really cool because it encapsulates the retinoids in this formula which keeps them stable longer and also releases them slowly over time so you get less irritation.
• PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer: Another blurring ingredient that fills in all your texture issues and makes your skin look airbrushed and smooth instantly.
• Sorbitan Olivate: This works with the cetearyl olivate as part of the emulsifier system.
• Titanium Dioxide: This is a physical sunscreen ingredient but in this product it’s mostly here as a pigment to give it a slight tint and add to that blurring brightening effect you see when you put it on.
• Eclipta Prostrata Extract: This is some traditional Ayurvedic plant extract that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant stuff going on.
• Phenethyl Alcohol: This is a preservative so your product doesn’t grow mold and bacteria and get disgusting.
• Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract: Neem leaf extract which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Phenoxyethanol: One of the most common preservatives in all of skincare because it’s good at preventing bacterial growth.
• Cholesteryl Nonanoate: This is a lipid that’s identical to stuff in your actual skin so it integrates really well and helps restore your moisture barrier.
• Sodium Hyaluronate: The salt form of hyaluronic acid. It can hold like a thousand times its weight in water, so it plumps up your skin and fills in fine lines temporarily while keeping everything hydrated.
• Tocopheryl Acetate: A stable form of Vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant protecting your skin from free radical damage and environmental stress.
• Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil: Cloudberry oil which is packed with Vitamin C and fatty acids, plus it’s moisturizing.
• Canola Oil: Here it’s adding some emollient properties and helping deliver other ingredients.
• Xanthan Gum: It’s a thickener and stabilizer, in skincare it does the same thing, just makes the texture nice and keeps ingredients from separating out.
• Pentylene Glycol: Humectant that pulls moisture to your skin but it also works as a preservative booster.
• Citric Acid: Mostly here to adjust the pH and keep the formula at the right acidity level for retinoids to work.
• Alumina: This is aluminum oxide and it’s coating the titanium dioxide particles so they’re more stable and less likely to irritate your skin or cause problems.
• Isostearic Acid: A fatty acid that makes the product feel smooth and helps it spread nicely on your skin.
• Lecithin: Comes from soybeans and works as an emulsifier keeping oil and water mixed together.
• Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate: An emulsifier that helps everything blend together and improves texture.
• Polyhydroxystearic Acid: This disperses the titanium dioxide evenly so you don’t get weird white streaks or patches when you put it on.
• Stearic Acid: Fatty acid that acts as an emollient and emulsifier giving the product some of that rich texture while keeping everything blended.
• Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil: Moringa oil which is trendy right now but actually does have good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate: A mild emulsifier from lactic acid that helps everything mix and also has some skin-conditioning properties.
• Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract: Vanilla extract which is mainly for fragrance so the product smells nice instead of like retinoids and chemicals. But it may cause irritation in sensitive skin.
• Ethylhexylglycerin: A preservative booster that helps other preservatives work better.
• Linoleic Acid: An omega-6 fatty acid that helps restore your barrier and has anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Palmitic Acid: A fatty acid that occurs naturally in your skin so it integrates well and strengthens your moisture barrier.
• Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil: Carrot seed oil rich in Vitamin A which makes sense in a retinoid product, it’s got antioxidants and helps protect your skin while adding nourishing benefits.
• Disodium EDTA: A chelating agent that grabs onto metal ions in the formula to prevent them from destabilizing everything, basically makes sure your cream doesn’t oxidize or go rancid or separate over time.
• Phytosterols: Plant compounds that mimic cholesterol in your skin and help restore barrier function.
• Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract: Japanese honeysuckle extract working as a natural preservative and antioxidant.
• 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: A stable form of Vitamin C, it brightens your skin and fights free radicals. We don’t know if it works as well as pure Vitamin C yet, though.
• Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract: Another honeysuckle extract doing the same preservative and antioxidant thing,.
• Sodium Polyaspartate: A humectant that attracts and holds moisture. Plus it’s a film-forming agent that helps create that smooth finish you feel when you apply the product.
• Phytosphingosine: A lipid that’s naturally in your skin with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Parfum: Makes the product smell good, but it can still irritate sensitive skin.
• Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14: A copper peptide that’s supposed to boost collagen production and help with skin repair.
• Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate: Another peptide for skin renewal and firmness supposedly. The science on topical peptides is still pretty mixed about how effective they really are, but having them in here doesn’t hurt.
• Cholesterol: The same cholesterol that’s in your skin’s natural barrier and it works with the ceramides and fatty acids to create that complete barrier repair trifecta, .
• C12-16 Alcohols: Fatty alcohols that work as emollients and stabilizers.
• Caprylyl Glycol: A humectant and preservative booster that helps retain moisture while preventing bacterial growth.
• Carbomer: A thickening agent that gives the product that bouncy gel-like texture and suspends ingredients evenly throughout.
• Hydrogenated Lecithin: More stable version of regular lecithin that emulsifies and improves skin barrier.
• Glyceryl Caprylate: An emollient and preservative booster that keeps things stable while conditioning your skin.
• Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer: A blend of AHAs that provides gentle exfoliation. It’s way down here at the end of the ingredient list, so it’s probably not doing much actual exfoliating . It’s here more for pH or texture.
• Polyvinyl Alcohol: A film-forming agent that creates that smooth blurred finish on your skin instantly.
• Phenylpropanol: A preservative and solvent keeping the product stable and contamination-free.
• BHT: Butylated hydroxytoluene which is an antioxidant preventing the oils from going rancid.
• Limonene: A naturally occurring fragrance component from the citrus oils and vanilla in the formula. It’s listed separately because it’s a potential allergen even though it’s from natural sources, so sensitive skin might react to it.
• Linalool: Another natural fragrance component from the plant extracts that’s also a known allergen so it has to be called out separately.
• Citral: Yet another naturally occurring fragrance component from the extracts that’s a potential allergen.

Texture

Its texture is on the thicker side, yet it sinks in quickly and doesn’t feel sticky on the skin. It’s like a serum and moisturiser rolled into one.

Fragrance

Technically, it’s fragrance-free. But it has some fragrance complements that give it a vanilla like, slightly citrusy scent. It’s pleasant, faint and doesn’t hang around too long, but it could irritate sensitive skin. My skin isn’t, so I’ve got no problem with it.

How To Use It

I know I’ve said Retinyl Retinoate is photostable and you can use it during the day. But I prefer to keep it for nighttime. Even Medik8 recommends you use it in the evening. It goes on after cleansing and before moisturiser.

Use it twice a week to start with. Then every other night and – finally – every night. Retinyl Retinoate and Retinaldehyde may be gentler than other retinoids but they’re still retinoids. Work your way up to avoid any unpleasant side effects – like dryness and irritation.

Packaging

An elegant black bottle with a pump applicator that releases just the right amount of product you need, so none gets wasted. It lasts for ages, too.

Performance & Personal Opinion

Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense is a muted orange in colour. On my pale skin, the hue blends seamlessly with my complexion, leaving no colour or tint behind. I’ve been using it for more than 2 months now. Even powerful actives like retinoids don’t work overnight. It can take around 6 weeks to see the first results.

This cream makes a very bold claim – best antiaging product ever, remember? – and has an outrageous price tag, so I wanted to make sure it does what’s supposed to do… or not… How did it fare? Well, I can’t say that I’ve seen a massive difference in my skin. I’ve been using 1% or higher retinol for a while, now. It makes my skin so clear, my pores almost invisible and my wrinkles smoother and less obvious.

Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense kept the status quo. My skin hasn’t massively improved since I’ve started using it, but it hasn’t worsened either. To me, that’s impressive. It means that – for me at least – Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense works just as well as 1% retinol – minus the irritation. I experienced no flaking, peeling or redness at all.

If you’re using a lower concentration of retinol, then you’ll probably see better results from this earlier on. I think this is a good option to up your retinoid game without irritating your skin. If you can stomach the price tag, Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense is definitely one of the most exciting retinoids product I’ve seen in a looooong time.

P.S. I’ve been using it for more than 2 months and I still haven’t run out. 😉

What I Like About Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense

• The texture absorbs fast without being sticky.
• Two different retinoids in one formula means you’re getting more anti-aging power.
• The pump packaging is smart because you’re not contaminating everything with your fingers plus it gives you the right amount so you’re not wasting product (it matters when it’s this expensive!).
• It works as well as 1% retinol for me but without the irritation or peeling or redness.
• One bottle lasts forever.

What I DON’T Like About Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense

• The price is absolutely outrageous.
• Fragrance could irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
• If you’re already using strong retinol like 1% you might not see huge improvements.

Who Should Use This?

If you’ve been using retinol for a while and want to level up your retinoid game without dealing with irritation then this is perfect for you, it’s strong enough to keep delivering results but gentle enough that you won’t peel or flake. It’s also great if you’ve got the budget and want a luxury retinoid that does multiple things at once like blurring your skin instantly while also doing the long-term anti-aging work.

But honestly if you’re on a budget or just starting with retinoids this is overkill, you can get great results from way cheaper options and work your way up to this later if you feel like splurging. And if you have sensitive skin that reacts to fragrance maybe skip this because even though the scent is faint and from natural extracts it could still cause problems.

Does Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense Live Up To Its Claims?

Price & Availability

£229 at Medik8 and SpaceNK

Do You Need It?

If you’re looking for something gentler than 1% retinol but gives the same results, this is a good option to try.