In this article, I share with you my four week trial of using ONLY Medik8's CSA Philosophy Regime products. I used only 6 skincare products for a period of four weeks (see before and after photos), which is very rare for me given that I am obsessed with skincare. I have combination sensitive skin with hyperpigmentation. I also have deep blind acne scarring all around under my jaw line.
After a brief consultation with Medik8's team, Medik8 prescribed their Medik8’s CSA Philosophy Regime (vitamin C plus sun protection by day and vitamin A at night). I have sensitive combination acne prone skin with hyperpigmentation..
The products I used for the four week trial were:
Surface Radiance Cleanse RRPAU44
Advanced Day Ultimate Protect RRPAU127
C-Tetra Luxe RRPAU140
Oxy-R Peptides RRPAU124
Crystal Retinal 3 RRPAU87
I was then introduced to Medik8's Press and Glow (Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic with Enzyme Activator) in week 3 (RRPAU55).
All of the Medik8 products are free from nasties and vegan friendly.
During this period, I did not use any other skincare other than those listed above, Nor did I have any facials (we were still in lockdown and I hadn't had my double vax till early November).
My AM routine comprised of Surface Radiance Cleanse + Advanced Day Ultimate Protect + C-Tetra Luxe
My PM routine comprised of Surface Radiance Cleanse + Crystal Retinal 3 + Oxy-R Peptides Ultimate + Protect C-Tetra Lux
You can shop for these products (and search for stockists) at https://www.medik8.com.au/ and https://www.medik8.com/
Before and After the Four Week Trial
As you can see, there was a huge improvement in both the texture and clarity of my skin. The bumps along the jawline are side effects from a medicine that I used to be on (lithium for my depression and anxiety). They are deep blind acne and scarring as well.
The Medik8 trial gave me clearer brighter looking skin. Skin texture was improved.
The jawline acne/scars became smaller and flatter. The Medik8 products also brought quite a few of the blind and deep acne to the surface so that I could extract them. This was the best part of the whole trial for me as I am deeply ashamed of these scars. You can't see them if you look at me straight on. I have to tilt my head up so that you can see them.
Even better results as I carried on with the Medik8 CSA Philosophy Regime! I did do a clay mask though a few days before taking this photo.
I'll now share my thoughts and more about the Medik8 CSA Philosophy Regime products I used.
The Medik 8 CSA Philosophy Regime Products
The cleanser that I used was Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse, also known as "Resurfacing AHA/BHA Mangosteen Cleansing Gel".
This gel cleanser was very gentle, yet effective in removing dirt and makeup.
It is infused with an exfoliating blend of mandelic, lactic and salicylic acid, It foams up with contact on water and rinses off fairly easily. My skin never felt tight after using it. It had a very light citrus fragrance. As it also had hydrating ingredients in it, my skin would feel both smooth and soft after using it.
The key ingredients are:
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's Advanced Day Ultimate Protect - Age-Defying Moisturiser with Sunscreen & Photolyase.
This is Medik8's ultimate day cream. It features sun protection, elevated with next-generation DNA repair enzymes and their most advanced 360° environmental shield.
I found this day cream to be such a good product. It took care of my skincare concerns (hydration and preventative anti-aging) plus it had sunscreen in it. It is a bit thicker than most creams but it still layered well under makeup. It did not ball up but got absorbed quickly. There is a hardly noticeable cream scent.
It is designed to provide protection from blue light, infrared light, glycation and pollution providing skin with the ultimate environmental defence. Encapsulated photolyase, a light-activated DNA repair enzyme, also helps to support the skin’s natural repair mechanisms after exposure to UV. For moisture, it uses squalane and hyaluronic acid.
This is such an amazing day cream. It fits all of my requirements and can be used 365 days a year. In summer and winter,
The Key Ingredients are:
Advanced UV Filters - A complex of premium, modern chemical sun filters carefully selected for their high performance on the skin, photostability and skin friendly benefits.
Encapsulated Photolyase - Derived from plankton extract, photolyase is a light-activated DNA repair enzyme which supports the skin’s natural defence mechanisms against DNA damage caused by UV light.
Blueberry Seed Oil - Sustainably sourced from 800,000 upcycled blueberries*, blueberry seed oil is rich in beta-carotene and acts as a natural shield against blue light.
Marrubium Vulgare Extract - A powerful antioxidant that provides essential protection to shield delicate skin from pollution-induced damage.
Carnosine - A protective peptide that is naturally produced in the body, carnosine blocks skin-damaging sugars from binding to collagen in the skin in a process called glycation. This helps to prevent the formation of wrinkles, while shielding skin from infrared damage.
Squalane - Squalane is an almost skin-identical lipid that helps to support the natural skin barrier, working to moisturise and nourish the complexion.
Multi-weight Hyaluronic Acid - With a unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000x its own weight in water, hyaluronic acid can draw in moisture, leaving the complexion feeling both nourished and supple.
IN about Week three of the trial, I noticed that my pores on the skin around the nose was becoming more noticeable. I mentioned this to the Medik8 team and they noted that this was evidence that the products had stimulated all the new cells to turn over quickly, this is a positive response. Sometimes the build up can make the pores look slightly more visible and that I need to do some exfoliation.
So they sent me the Medik8's Press and Glow (Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic with Enzyme Activator).
This is a gentle exfoliator/toner that did the trick. I used it AM & PM and soon saw that my pore size was less noticeable.
This is a hydrating acid toner that helps to exfoliate the surface of the complexion. It has PHA gluconolactone which acts as a moisture magnet to help comfort and hydrate the skin, supporting the surface exfoliation of the skin .
On my sensitive skin, this acid toner did not aggravate any sensitivities. I loved that it has prickly pear extract, which is such a good ingredient (helps encourage cell renewal)
I liked its packaging. Which features a pump system. You take a piece of cotton pad and press down to release the product.
There was hardly any detectable scent to this one too.
The Key Ingredients are:
5.5% Gluconolactone - A high performing, water-soluble PHA, gluconolactone converts into gluconic acid to gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin, resulting in a visibly more even, smoother skin surface.
Prickly Pear Extract - A natural enzyme activator, it helps to increase the rate of desquamation of the skin, and then the rate of cell renewal. This can help improve the clarity and luminosity of the skin, as well as the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Aloe Vera - Ideal for reducing skin irritation and enhancing the skin’s moisture retention properties, as well as helping to prevent free radical damage.
Acai Extract- It can help to take down inflammation, while protecting the skin from free radical damage.
During the AM skincare routine, I would also use the Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe. This is their Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum. I would also use this during the PM routine for additional hydration.
This has the texture of a light weight oil. It had a citrus scent. It absorbed easily and quickly and I enjoyed layering it with the Advanced Day Ultimate Protect (first this serum, then the cream).
Just a drop or two is enough for my whole face and neck. You warm it up in your hands and press it in. I enjoyed this product a lot as it gave me a natural glow (I was getting comments about how my face was glowy).
I love Vitamin C skin products for the glow and for prevention of signs of aging.
Thi serum uses a super-stable lipid-soluble form of vitamin C called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate alongside skin-nourishing vitamin E. My sensitive skin did not feel irritated by it.
The Key Ingredients are:
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate – A lipid-soluble form of vitamin C that provides exceptional antioxidant protection from harmful free radicals, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful looking complexion
Maracuja Oil – Naturally rich in nutrients, maracuja oil nourishes the complexion with fatty acids and provides an antioxidant protective shield.
Vitamin F – Otherwise known as ethyl linoleate or linoleic acid, vitamin F is an omega-6 essential fatty acid which deeply nourishes and hydrates the complexion.
Optimised Red Ginseng – Extracted from the root of red ginseng, this natural extract boosts the serum’s brightening powers.
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.
Squalane – A natural emollient; squalane helps to restore the skin’s natural defensive barrier while deeply hydrating the skin.
This is a fairly new product to the Medik8 family. It is a High-Strength Oxyresveratrol Brightening Peptide Serum.
This serum is design to specifically target hyperpigmentation which I suffer from.
It is a watery serum (felt almost like water), that I would tap onto the areas where I suffer from hyperpigmentation. I was very happy to see my dark spots starting to fade close to the end of my four week period (Medik8 says that the spots should fade AFTER 4 weeks).
There was hardly any scent to this product. I used this product mainly at night. However, you can use it during the day too. I think I would have seen the results earlier if I used it also during the AM routine.
It has Ultra-high concentration oxyresveratrol in Medik8's patented stabilisation system. The hydrating formula is suitable for all skin types and tones, including sensitive skins. Designed to improve the appearance of visible age spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tones and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from blemishes.
The Key Ingredients are:
1% Oxyresveratrol (Oxy-R) - One of the most powerful skin brightening agents available in skincare, which is naturally derived from the mulberry family. It helps to block the action of tyrosinase, to transform dull, uneven skin tones.
Tetrapeptide-30 - An illuminating peptide that helps to minimise the production of tyrosinase, to block the overproduction of melanin.
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine - A brightening peptide solution that works to help block the transport of melanin to the skin cell, where the overproduction of pigment becomes visible on the skin.
Hyaluronic acid - With a unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its own weight in water, hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the surrounding atmosphere into the skin, leaving the complexion feeling both nourished and supple.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 is formulated with 0.03% stabilised retinal, a powerful derivative of vitamin A. It has hyaluronic acid, glycerin and vitamin E, to hydrate skin at every level to deliver a supple, even-toned, more youthful-looking complexion. It also actively helps reduce blemish-causing bacteria.
I really enjoyed this product! I think it was the star of the whole regime for me as it helped with those acne scars/deep blind acne around my jaw. You are meant to phase in this product (apply for a few nights then increase to every night). I found it gentle enough for my skin to use it every night after night 5.
It is a light cream serum that has a citrus scent. It absorbs quickly. It did not cause any skin sensitivities.
I think I will purchase the higher strength retinals to get faster results on getting rid of the jawline acne/scars.
The Key Ingredients are:
0.03% Encapsulated Retinaldehyde – Proven to work up to 11 times faster than retinol, retinaldehyde is a revolutionary new form of vitamin A that targets fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and uneven skin texture.
Hyaluronic Acid – With a unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its own weight in water, hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the surrounding atmosphere into the skin, leaving the complexion feeling both nourished and supple.
Vitamin E – An oil-soluble antioxidant, vitamin E can quench free radicals on the skin while stabilising retinaldehyde for optimal power.
Glycerin – As a natural humectant, glycerin traps water within the skin to leave it hydrated and comfortable.
I hope you enjoyed this article! Please do subscribe to my blog (see various (they are irritating and I am sorry about that) pop up boxes or sign up in the box below). Drop me an email (tashi@teacupofmakeup.com) or DM me on my Instagram (@teacupofmakeup_bytashijadebell) and let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions for me. I always love hearing from you.
Yours Truly with Lots of Love, TeacupOfMakeup. 待会见! 可爱的小茶杯!
Disclaimer: All of the photos here are taken by me. You cannot use them without obtaining my written permission first. These are my personal views and I do not any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. These products were gifted to me by Medik8 PR for the purpose of this four week trial.
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