R-Retinoate Ultimate Night

Medik8

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Medik8 R-Retinoate Ultimate Night is a moisturizer. Our analysis of its 66 ingredients (49 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Moisturizers
Ingredients
66
Low-risk
49
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
United Kingdom

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 19/16
Good for dry skin
C12-16 Alcohols Glyceryl Caprylate Linoleic Acid Cetearyl Alcohol Sodium Polyaspartate Squalane Isododecane Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylyl Glycol Canola Oil Butylene Glycol Sodium Hyaluronate Glycerin Cholesterol Cholesteryl Nonanoate Palmitic Acid PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer Dimethicone Lecithin
Caution for dry skin
Glyceryl Caprylate Linoleic Acid Cyclodextrin Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Sorbitan Olivate Stearic Acid Isostearic Acid Xanthan Gum Glycerin Palmitic Acid Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate Polyhydroxystearic Acid Alumina Hydrogenated Lecithin Lecithin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin No data
Sensitive Skin 5/15
Good for sensitive skin
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract Glycerin Dimethicone Tocopheryl Acetate BHT
Caution for sensitive skin
Linoleic Acid Stearic Acid Isododecane Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Butylene Glycol Glycerin Palmitic Acid Phenethyl Alcohol Phenylpropanol Citric Acid Phenoxyethanol Linalool Limonene BHT Citral

Ingredients list

66 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (7)
All66 Skin Conditioning48 Emollient15 Fragrance14 Emulsifying11 Emulsion Stabilising11 Hair Conditioning11 Masking9 Viscosity Controlling9
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
B
Isododecane
(Fragrance, Solvent, Emollient, Perfuming)
1
A
Squalane
(Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Cetearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasingagent Aqueous, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling)
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
1
B
Cetearyl Olivate
(Hair Conditioning)
1
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
(Anticaking Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Viscosity Increasing Agent)
1
Polylactic Acid
(Abrasive)
1
A
Cyclodextrin
(Absorbent, Chelating Agent)
1
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
(Emollient, Film Forming, Hair Fixing, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Sorbitan Olivate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
1
A
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Canola Oil
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
2
A
Alumina
(Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
A
Isostearic Acid
(Binding Agent, Sufactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Isostearic Acid., Binding, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
2
3
Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Antistatic Agent, Emollient)
1
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant, Viscosity Increasing Agent)
1
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
(Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Emulsifying)
1
A
Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Smoothing)
1
Ceramide NP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
daucus carota sativa seed oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
5
6
Retinal
(Skin Conditioning)
Retinyl Retinoate
(Skin Conditioning)
3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Sodium Polyaspartate
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
Ceramide AP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
Phytosphingosine
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Phytosterols
(Skin Conditioning)
Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
(Skin Conditioning)
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
(Skin Conditioning)
Ceramide EOP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
B
Phenethyl Alcohol
(Fragrance, Preservative, Masking)
1
A
Cholesterol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
(Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
1
C12-16 Alcohols
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
6
A
BHT
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking)
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
1
A
Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Linoleic Acid
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Linoleic Acid., Antistatic Agent, Emollient)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Palmitic Acid
(Fragrance, Opacifying, Sufactant, Surfactant Emulsifying Agentsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Palmitic Acid., Emollient)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Cholesteryl Nonanoate
(Emollient)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
2
A
Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant)
1
A
Glyceryl Caprylate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Polyvinyl Alcohol
(Binding Agent, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Phenylpropanol
(Masking, Perfuming, Solvent)
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens
5
Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
7
Citral
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
3
CI 14700
(Cosmetic Colorant)
1
3
Titanium Dioxide
(Cosmetic Colorant, Opacifying, Sunscreen Agent, Uv Absorber)
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant, Skin Protecting
Butylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Humectant
Isododecane
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient

Benefits

Good for dry skin

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains silicone
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Citral — higher EWG
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientMaskingPerfumingSkin conditioningSolvent
Isododecane
Fragrance, Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B FragranceSolventEmollientPerfuming
Squalane
Emollient, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientHair conditioningRefattingSkin conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion stabilising, Opacifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingOpacifyingFoam boostingViscosity increasingagent - aqueousViscosity increasing agentEmollientEmulsifyingViscosity controlling
Cetearyl Olivate
Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Hair conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Anticaking agent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Anticaking agentEmulsion stabilisingOpacifyingSuspending agent - nonsurfactantViscosity increasing agent
Polylactic Acid
Abrasive
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Abrasive
Cyclodextrin
Absorbent, Chelating agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AbsorbentChelating agent
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
Emollient, Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 EmollientFilm formingHair fixingSkin conditioning
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioning
Canola Oil
Emollient, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientSkin conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin conditioning, Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningSolvent
Alumina
Abrasive, Absorbent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A AbrasiveAbsorbentAnticaking agentBulking agentOpacifyingViscosity controlling
Lecithin
Skin conditioning, Emulsifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 2–3 Skin conditioningEmulsifyingSurfactantAntistatic agentEmollient
+ 33 more — see the full ingredients list above
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben
Isostearic Acid
Binding agent, Sufactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of isostearic acid.
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentSufactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of isostearic acid.BindingEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
Stearic Acid
Fragrance, Sufactant
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSufactantEmulsifyingSurfactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid.Emulsion stabilisingMaskingRefatting Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Retinal
Skin conditioning
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5–6 Skin conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 CIR A AntioxidantFragranceMasking
Linoleic Acid
Fragrance, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 FragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningSufactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of linoleic acid.Antistatic agentEmollient Fungal-acne trigger
Palmitic Acid
Fragrance, Opacifying
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceOpacifyingSufactantSurfactant -emulsifying agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of palmitic acid.Emollient Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Limonene
Deodorant, Perfuming
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 DeodorantPerfumingSolvent Allergens
+ 3 more — see the full ingredients list above

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply near the end of your routine, after thinner serums.
  • 2 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinal, Retinyl Retinoate)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinal, Retinyl Retinoate

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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