Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse & C-Tetra Serum Review

Medik8 Cleanser & Serum Honest Review

As I am adding more beauty reviews and content to my blog, I thought it would be good to share with you a couple of products I have been using every single day for the last month. I tend to stick to one face care regime for a good long while, and up until recently I was still using Liz Earle, but what I have found is that it’s good to switch it up sometimes because your skin gets used to it and you stop noticing the results. I’d heard great things about Medik8 as one of Adam’s work colleagues had mentioned it was really good for her skin, so I set about trying it and have been testing the Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse and C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum for about 5 weeks. I’m extremely pleased with the results, so here are my thoughts and reviews on the products below.

Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse

This product was previously known as Pore Cleanse Gel, so some of you might know it as that, and it’s the brand’s best selling cleanser. It’s designed to gently renew and purify skin to reveal a soft, radiant complexion. It contains an exfoliating AHA/BHA complex of mandelic, lactic and salicylic acid as well as glycerin for deep cleansing and pore refining, without any stinging or dryness. The gel is infused with mangosteen and raspberry extracts to provide natural antioxidant protection and increase skin barrier function, but the best thing is how thoroughly it removes impurities to decongest the skin. I use it morning and night by wetting my face, massaging it in, then washing it off. The gel cleanser transforms into a hydrating lather with an uplifting citrus aroma and the result is smooth, refined texture with luminous clarity. It was very slightly drying at first as I was new to using it, but that quickly settled and now it’s working wonders. My skin hasn’t felt this clean in ages! It also has no artificial fragrance, it’s alcohol free, palm oil free, and it’s vegan friendly among other things, so it’s a fantastic cleanser. It’s anti-ageing as well which is brilliant.

A dual-action cleanser, Surface Radiance Cleanse uses both AHA and BHA power to gently break down impurities and slough off dead skin. AHAs L-mandelic acid and lactic acid, work on the upper layers of the skin to free dead skin cells so they can be easily exfoliated away. Salicylic acid, a BHA, penetrates deeper into the pores to help break down blockages which can lead to enlarged pores and blemishes. By gently exfoliating the upper layers of the skin, the skin cell renewal cycle is supercharged, leaving a fresher, clearer complexion. This also helps to soften the appearance of wrinkles, while glycerin hydrates and replenishes skin to minimise fine lines. Mangosteen peel extract provides superior antioxidant power to protect the skin from harmful free radicals, while infusing an revitalising citrus scent.

Key Ingredients

• L-Mandelic Acid – A softly exfoliating AHA with BHA power, chirally correct mandelic acid is able to work both on the surface of the skin and within pores for deep but gentle exfoliation.

• L-Lactic Acid – A gentle AHA that softly exfoliates the skin, while deeply hydrating for a nourished complexion.

• Salicylic Acid – Decongesting and exfoliating from within the pore, this BHA breaks down the clogged oil and skin cells that can contribute to enlarged pores and blemishes.

• Glycerin – A natural humectant, glycerin traps water within the skin to leave it hydrated and comfortable.

• Mangosteen Peel Extract – Rich in natural antioxidants, mangosteen protects the skin from free radical attack which can trigger premature ageing.

Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum

This serum also comes highly recommended and it is amazing! It restores radiance and fights visible signs of ageing, all in a light, daily vitamin C serum, which combines vitamin E as well. Together, these both help to combat pollution and sun damage. It’s designed to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin which reduces fine lines and wrinkles, as well as making the skin brighter overall, giving a luminous complexion. Using a lipid-soluble form of vitamin C called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, this serum formula is able to penetrate deep into the skin to provide powerful antioxidant protection with minimal irritation. C-Tetra is a water-free formula so it’s 100% stable, which means that the vitamin C does not degrade over time. This serum is also combined with nourishing, pampering oils with anti-ageing properties, so it is ideal for those looking for skin rejuvenation. Again, like the cleansing gel, it’s free from synthetic smells, colours etc and is vegan friendly. It’s easy to use, you just massage a few drops into your skin after cleansing – simple. Just leave it to absorb before applying any moisturiser.

Your skin is packed full of natural antioxidants that defend against free radicals from the environment. When these environmental free radicals outweigh your skin’s antioxidants, the skin can no longer protect itself. Free radicals latch onto the defenceless skin cells, causing irreparable damage, which ultimately leads to premature ageing. C-Tetra contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a super-stable form of vitamin C that boosts the antioxidant defence levels in the skin. Ever the multi-tasker, it also stimulates collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving the complexion plump, radiant and youthful looking. As a lipid-soluble form of vitamin C, it is able to penetrate the skin’s defensive lipid barrier with ease; delivering benefits deep within the skin. Vitamin C and vitamin E work together synergistically as ‘network antioxidants’, boosting the serum’s overall antioxidant effect to keep skin protected throughout the day.

Key Ingredients

• Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate – A lipid-soluble form of vitamin C that provides exceptional antioxidant protection from harmful free radicals, while stimulating collagen production for a youthful complexion.

• Vitamin E – A lipid-soluble antioxidant that is naturally present in the skin. Vitamin E protects the skin from free radicals and is regenerated by vitamin C for optimum power.

My Thoughts & Opinions

Firstly, I have noticed a big difference! It took a couple of weeks, but my skin really is much more glowy, radiant and vibrant. My make-up even goes on easier, which is wonderful. I used to have a lot of issues with cracking on my skin as it was quite dry, but the serum really hydrates my skin so my morning routine of cleansing, applying the serum, waiting 10 minutes and applying my Liz Earle moisturiser, then a primer, before my make-up, has worked wonders. My skin is dewy underneath and looks really good. I’m not just saying that either as Adam, my mum, even my grandad, have all said I’m looking well and looking good at the moment. My diet is much better too, so that’s adding to it, but the skin is definitely the serum.

I recommend you double cleanse though to really remove impurities, so take your make-up off with something like a Micellar water (I use Garnier) and then use the Medik8 Cleanser so there’s no make-up in the way. It works perfect then! Ive taken to using my Derma Roller at night after cleansing as well, for about 5-8 minutes, then applying the Vitamin C serum directly afterwards. This really penetrates deep into the skin. I wait abut an hour before applying my moisturiser, but as I have quite scarred skin from acne, with red marks, this is something I swear by! It’s been reducing the scarring so much that I visibly see a difference, but I’m still too shy to share the photos. I wanted to add that in there because I still use the Derma Roller (in 0.5mm now) and recommend it (read my review here)! I have nothing but good things to say about these Medik8 products and it’s making me want to try the C-Tetra moisturiser as well.

The Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse costs £18 for 150ml and this lasts for months! I’m barely a quarter of the way through so I can see it lasting around 4 months. The Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum is £35 for 30ml so it does cost a lot more, but as you use it sparingly, again, it lasts quite a long time. Due to my skin being dryer, I do need to use a bit more than 4 drops, but you might not have to if you try it. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be re-purchasing both of these items and adding in more as well over the next couple of months. I’m really happy with how things are looking and I genuinely think my skin is the best it’s been in years! Have any of you tried medik8 before? I hope you liked the review! Let me know if you have any questions! Lorna xx.

– Both of these items were sent as samples to try after getting in touch with the brand, I was under no obligation to write a positive review, neither have I been paid to do so. My opinions are all my own and I am extremely happy to recommend these Medik8 items as I genuinely believe in them. I receive samples of beauty products regularly, but only choose to write about what I love.