MEDIK8 IS OUR BRAND IN RESIDENCE FOR SEPTEMBER
And there’s plenty to get curious about. From Cult-only curations to hard-working rituals that go beyond the immediate, we’ll be spotlighting what’s next from one of skincare’s most exciting names.
Naturally, we wanted to meet the minds driving its success. So, Cult took a trip to Medik8 HQ, where the scientists and education team gave us an exclusive glimpse into the thinking — and the expertise — behind the brand.
Inside Medik8
“Medik8 began within the professional industry in 2009. Our roots are in clinics, and we still have an extensive network in the UK and globally,” Samantha Kendrew, Education Manager at Medik8 UK, tells us.
This clinical heritage is still written into much of the brand’s DNA today. Many of its formulations are used in professional treatments, while its retail range translates that same clinical thinking into no nonsense, everyday skincare.
Behind it all is a team of in-house scientists, developing and rigorously testing formulas around high performance actives — with results always front of mind.
And the brand’s focus extends to the planet, too. “Sustainability is another important part of the business. Medik8 is a certified B Corp, and we are continually working to reduce the environmental footprint of our products and wider operations.”
Medik8’s CSA Philosophy — The Power Of Three
“We believe in the infinite power of great skin. Our mission is to simplify skincare and become the go-to brand for age-defying results,” Samantha explains.
“CSA came from that desire to make skincare easier to understand. The idea is to begin with a strong foundation and then add targeted products according to the person’s individual concerns.”
Vitamin C: Your First Line of Defence
“Medik8 offers several iterations of vitamin C, allowing customers to choose according to their skin type, experience level and preferred texture.”
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SPF: The Non-Negotiable
As Samantha notes, “when weighing up the effects of wearing sunscreen against the damage caused by unprotected UV exposure, daily sunscreen is an essential part of an age-defying routine.”
Here’s how they compare:
Advanced Day Total Protect offers SPF 30 and has a lighter texture.
Both provide broad-spectrum protection and help defend against multiple external ageing factors. Depending on your skin type and preferences, they can also double as your morning moisturiser.
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Vitamin A: The Gold Standard
Samantha breaks it down: “This controlled delivery is one of the reasons Crystal Retinal can offer high-performance results while remaining relatively gentle. Instead of delivering the active all at once, the formula releases it progressively.”
The key is knowing when to move up the ladder. Progress when your skin is comfortable, not simply because a higher strength exists. As Samantha advises, start twice a week for the first two weeks, move to every other night for the next two, then progress towards nightly use as your skin becomes accustomed to it.
“Many cases of dryness, flaking and retinoid irritation occur when users start with a strength that’s too advanced or introduce it too frequently, too soon.”
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GO BEYOND CSA
Once your CSA ritual is locked in, the next move is personalisation — layering in targeted formulas that answer your skin’s specific needs.
But the real innovation is in the PDRN itself. Rather than using the ingredient in its traditional form, Medik8 has re-engineered its structure into a compact, prism-like shape.
As Sara Tahmasbi, Product Manager at Medik8 UK, tells us: “Traditional PDRN has a relatively large molecular structure, which can make it harder for the ingredient to penetrate deeper into the skin. With Exo-PDRN Prismatic+, the PDRN is folded into a compact, prism-like structure — almost like an arrowhead — helping it travel more effectively into the skin.”
Liquid Peptides Advanced MP — Peptides Pushed Further
Peptides have long been a fixture in the age-defying skincare
Smoothing expression lines with quick and cumulative benefits, it delivers visible reduction in as little as 10 minutes, while eight weeks of continued use helps reduce the appearance of deeper-set wrinkles**.
“Peptides and proteins each have their advantages,” explains Sara. “Peptides are smaller and can penetrate the skin more easily, while proteins have a more complex structure that allows them to interact effectively with receptors — but their larger size can make penetration more difficult.”
“Mini-proteins combine the benefits of both: a complex structure in a smaller format, making them better suited to topical skincare.”
Liquid Peptides Advanced MP uses two specialised mini-proteins, each targeting a different aspect of visible skin ageing.
Developed to target the appearance of dynamic expression lines, this mini-protein helps minimise the micro-contractions associated with repeated facial movement — leaving lines looking smoother and less pronounced.
The second takes inspiration from naturally occurring growth factors, supporting the skin’s structural components to promote a firmer, smoother and more resilient-looking complexion.
“Growth factors are proteins that naturally occur in the body and play an important role in processes such as cellular growth, repair and regeneration,” Sara explains. “Our mini-protein technology is engineered to mimic some of this beneficial activity, while remaining suitable for topical skincare.”
Alongside multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and a prebiotic complex, the result is a multi-action formula built to smooth, hydrate and maintain skin health over time.
The Power Pair: PDRN + Peptides
The ultimate age-defying duo, together these serums create a targeted, multi-action solution to visible skin ageing.
Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ takes a broad approach to skin health, supporting resilience, recovery, luminosity and texture, while Liquid Peptides Advanced MP zeroes in on expression lines, firmness and hydration.
“Apply products from the lightest texture to the richest. Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ has a very lightweight texture, so it should generally be the first serum applied after cleansing. Liquid Peptides Advanced MP has a slightly richer, emulsion-like texture, so that would follow Exo-PDRN Prismatic+.”
A typical routine could look like:
Morning
- Cleanser
- Exo-PDRN Prismatic+
- Liquid Peptides Advanced MP, if using
- Vitamin C
Moisturiser, if required - SPF
Evening
- Cleanser
- Exo-PDRN Prismatic+
- Liquid Peptides Advanced MP, if using
- Crystal Retinal
- Moisturiser
The Science Behind What’s Next
At Medik8, following the skincare conversation doesn’t mean following the crowd. “We’re always aware of emerging ingredients and technologies, but we don’t add something to a product simply because it’s popular,” says Sara.
PDRN caught the brand’s attention for a more compelling reason: its established history in medicine and professional aesthetics, which aligned naturally with Medik8’s own clinical heritage.
“But then we had to ask: does this technology genuinely work? Is it suitable for topical skincare? Can we improve its delivery? Can we create a vegan version? Can we clinically demonstrate the results? Only once the science answers those questions do we move forward with a formula.”
The philosophy is simple with each new creation: don’t chase the trend; challenge the technology, improve it and make it work harder for skin.
*Based on average change in key indicators of skin ageing, tested on 50 participants using a CSA skincare regime for 6 months.
**Proven via independent clinical study on Liquid Peptides Advanced MP tested on 34 participants at 10 minutes & 8 weeks.
THE BEST MEDIK8 PRODUCTS
Now you know the ins and outs of Medik8’s CSA philosophy and how to use these solutions the right way, it’s time to introduce some of the brand’s other skin care heroes…
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MORE MEDIK8 SKIN CARE
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