Medik8

Company & Product Summary

Logo for the Medik8 brand

The Medik8® brand of skincare is produced by Pangea Laboratories Ltd, founded by Elliot Isaacs.

Elliot, a graduate from The University of Leeds - Pharmacology and Physiology Department and son of a pharmacist, decided in the late 1990s to help his sister who had developed a skin redness that would not go away. One skin cream she used appeared to contain the right anti-inflammatory actives but paradoxically seemed to be causing more irritation than it calmed. Elliot decided to investigate this problem and see if he could make a better product using the small lab in his father’s pharmacy.  Weeks turned to months and with the eventual success in calming his sister’s redness, the decision to manufacture this cream formula was taken. Several years passed satisfying regulatory steps until Medik8 launched Red Alert® in 2004. Now Medik8 has a full anti-ageing range taking the philosophy of ‘results without the irritation’ to cleansers, antioxidants, lighteners, retinoids, hydroxy acids, peels and more.

Medik8 provides products suitable for sensitive skin without compromising efficacy so they may be used by everyone. It is a myth that a product designed for sensitive skin would not be as effective just because it is less irritating. It was previously incorrectly assumed that aggressive products causing significant inflammation gave the best results (the idea being that aggressive products provoke a healing response) but current opinion, based on the latest research, is that excessive inflammation can damage cells causing long term skin damage and perversely causing premature skin ageing.

The challenge for Medik8 is to make effective ingredients less aggressive without reducing potency. They do this in many ways for example using film-encapsulation, chirally correct actives, non-acid derivatives and patented anti-erythema technologies. Of course, using any effective strength actives, for example retinols and fruit acids, will cause some stinging to even the toughest skins, but Medik8 pharmacologists have minimised the degree of irritation and in some cases made it absent all together.

Medik8 only uses and formulates proven technologies that provide real skin benefits and Medik8 uses chirally correct actives wherever possible which is said to make them more active and less irritating due to the science behind the molecules. Medik8 products are specifically designed to be suitable for people with sensitive skin without ever compromising efficacy.

Medik8 will only be supplied to dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, specialist skincare doctors, medical clinicians, derma-pharmacists, qualified skincare professionals and specialist skincare retailers. Every authorised reseller must have a trained Medik8 consultant available at the point of purchase to answer customers’ skin care concerns and product queries.

The range of Medik8 products

The second npart of the Medik8 product range

Product range

FACE

Cleanse

oneCleanse™, poreCleanse™, betaCleanse™, Red Alert® Cleanse, creamCleanse™

PREVENT

C-Tetra®, CE-Tetra®, βlue AOX™, Firewall®

CORRECT

Growth Factor, Retinol Eye TR™, betagel™, Retinol 40, Retinol 3 TR™, White Balance™, Red Alert®, Firma Derma®, Dark Circles™, Light Amplifier™, Firewall®

HYDRATE

Hydr8™ Day, Hydr8™ B5, Hydr8™Night

Pretox® Range - Pretox® 20, Pretox® Infin8, Pretox® Filler, Pretox® Eyelift, Pretox® Pout

BODY

Hydr8™ Body, Red Alert®, Lipomelt Forte®, (plus combinations of Hydr8 Body™ & White Balance™, Hydr8 Body™ & Retinol 40)


What active ingredients does the Medik8 range contain?


Antioxidants

C-Tetra® - contains 3% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, the most potent and highly stable derivative of vitamin C available.  C-Tetra has been shown to have up to 4 times the potency of L-ascorbic acid and other derivatives such as MAP (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate).

βlue AOX™- the active ingredients within Blue AOX™ have powerful effects to protect the skin from environmental damage and encourage the skin’s ability to repair itself. Chirally correct copper PCA, a super antioxidant, has been developed and patented by Medik8 therefore Blue AOX™ technology is exclusive to Medik8 skincare.

Retinol - has been shown in several clinical trials to combat common skin-ageing concerns such as facial wrinkles, lines, folds and a loss of firmness by stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid production. Retinol has also been proven to improve skin clarity and texture, promote anti-pigmentation plus demonstrate anti-acne and pore-minimising effects, all leading to a more youthful skin appearance.

DMAE - the extremely effective firming activity of DMAE, a well known lifting ingredient, has an energising effect on the nerve cells preventing the muscles of facial expression from drooping and consequently the skin from sagging. DMAE increases levels of the brain neurotransmitter called Acetylcholine by acting as a precursor. Acetylcholine, in turn, causes muscles to adopt high tonic levels leading to firmness. DMAE is also an antioxidant, which promotes the cell membranes stability and shows the ability to boost the effects of other antioxidants.

Cusodase-P™- Firewall comprises this new unique patent-pending anti-ageing complex, a blend of actives including the Firewall breakthrough antioxidant molecule that’s 40 times stronger than vitamin C in the Total Antioxidant assay test, yet remains stable. It includes:

  • Anti-ageing Copper Chelates
  • Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase mimetics
  • New high-penetration vitamin C lipid-derivative antioxidant
  • New vitamin E-style antioxidant recycler
  • Two anti-ageing peptides including Pentapeptides
  • Firewall `Inert-Base` with dual-chamber separation and Nanosonic® penetration technology   

This combination of ingredients at optimised concentrations, produces a very powerful and stable antioxidant serum with great anti-ageing benefits.

Pretox

Pretox - contains an inoffensive hexapeptide composed of natural amino acids to reduce the depth of the wrinkles in the face caused by the contraction of the muscles during facial expression, especially in the forehead and around the eyes. Hexapeptide prevents the ageing of the skin induced by repeated facial movements caused by excessive catecholamine (neurotransmitter) release. Unlike Botulinum Toxin type A (such as Botox®), Pretox® does not paralyze the muscle completely. Instead it gently and temporarily reduces the strength of specific muscle contractions, thus the formation of new lines and wrinkles is reduced and old lines appear much less prominent - leaving you with smoother, younger looking skin.

The main active ingredients in the Pretox® range include Hyaluronic Acid, Dermis Repair Peptide, Collagen Plumping Peptide, Brighteners Peptide, Argireline Hexapeptide and Infin8 Octapeptide.


What do they claim to treat?

Products within the Medik8 range claim to be able to address a number of issues within the skin.

Free Radical Damage
The Medik8 range has antioxidant serums that help combat sun-induced and environmental free-radical damage to the skin. Vitamin C has been shown to trigger collagen synthesis, increase the skin’s elasticity and density as well as improve the skin’s texture and brighten the complexion, whilst preventing skin photo-ageing, fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

Ageing
The Medik8 Correct Range is a collection of treatment products formulated to help restore youthfulness to the skin by working on the signs of ageing. Retinol products address skin-ageing causes, including photo-ageing and collagen damage. Melanin inhibitors combat hyperpigmentation. Telomere extenders tackle redness and Peptide fragments engage dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.

Hyperpigmented Skin and Photo-ageing (Sun Damage)
Hyperpigmented skin on the neck, body and backs of hands can now be targeted with the combination of Medik8’s White Balance Serum and Hydr8 Body. You can protect your skin from photo-ageing (ageing caused by exposure to the sun) and hyperpigmentation with Medik8 broad spectrum sunscreen protection moisturisers. Professional strength products formulated to ‘hydr8’ the four main skin type, from combination to mature skin types. Hydrating dry, tired skin and relieving sunburn whilst restoring suppleness and softness. Formulated to intensely condition and re-hydrate dry and chapped skin, with superior moisture control using their trademarked “Moisture Magnet™” technology.

Redness
Red Alert® helps to fade and clear thread veins, skin redness and bruises by promoting anti-oxidation, vein-wall strengthening and enhanced coagulation (blood clotting at the site of capillary damage). There is no stronger topical formula for cosmetically managing skin redness according to Medik8.

Cellulite
Lipomelt Forte is designed to trigger the initiation of fat break down, stimulate cell metabolism, improve skin firmness, diminish the appearance of orange peel skin (from cellulite) and effectively detoxify the skin cells. The product contains Serilesine® Hexapeptide, carefully blended Xanthines and other clinically proven actives, formulated to high concentrations to stimulate substantial Lipolysis which is the dermaceutical key to cellulite breakdown and a slimmer silhouette. Proven results in 6-8 weeks if used as directed according to Medik8.

Uneven Skin
Wrinkled, lack-lustre skin on the body, neck and hands can now be targeted with the combination of Medik8’s Retinol 40 Boost and Hydr8 Body. Retinol has been proven to help the synthesis of collagen, whilst helping to increase the thickness of the epidermis; leading to fresher, more supple skin.


Reported side effects

Retinol use can cause side effects if used incorrectly. To build up skin tolerance to Retinol, allow 3 day intervals between applications for a minimum of 2 weeks. When using this product care is needed. Consult with your GP before commencing a Retinol regime if pregnant, breast feeding, undergoing skin peeling procedures or taking prescription medication for acne such as Tretinoin (Roaccutane®).


Costs

Retail prices for the various products within the Medik8 range start from £30.00.

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