Now, we all know that a good old belly laugh among friends is the fastest way to forget your troubles. We’d be the first to prescribe it when you’re feeling in a funk. ‘Laughter lines’ and ‘smile lines’ are an unmistakeable sign of a life well-lived, but if they bother you and you feel they’re ageing you prematurely, help is at hand, courtesy of Medik8.
The new Medik8 Liquid Peptide Advanced Serum claims to make a difference to crow’s feet and feint lines in less than 10 minutes – and it’s also said to seriously soften deep-set wrinkles in the space of two months. We obviously couldn’t wait to see if it lived up to its billing.
We asked a group of cynical writers, spanning different skin types, ages and sensitivities, to trial this skin-firming elixir and see what all the fuss is about. We’ve also chatted to Daniel Isaacs, co-founding partner and chief product officer of Medik8, to get the goss on why the brand thinks this serum truly breaks the mould and fills a genuine gap in the market, and delve into the detail behind this skincare sorcery.
And we enlisted the help of our resident cosmetic scientist and beauty testing manager, Maria Kumar, to demystify some of the ingredients and technology in this potent formulation. Sitting comfortably?
What are peptides?
”Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are used in many skincare products as they’re thought to encourage the production of elastin, hyaluronic acid and collagen in skin, making it more bouncy,” explains Maria. “The 30% complex of peptides in this serum means it has a strong capacity for working with cell receptors to firm and plump skin, providing a (far more subtle) filler-like effect.”
Why launch Medik8 Liquid Peptide Advance Serum?
“Our journey with Dual MiniProteinsTM began when we discovered their huge potential for advanced wrinkle reduction,” Isaacs tells us. “Now this world-first technology powers our new Liquid Peptides Advanced MP. Precision-engineered over 18 months, through seven independent studies, and over 40 formula variations in one UK lab, our next-gen scientific innovation is set to redefine wrinkle reduction.
“We wanted to set a new standard in wrinkle-targeting science, and after clinically trialling the formulation ourselves, we found it diminishes the appearance of expression lines in just 10 minutes and deep-set wrinkles in eight weeks. We had to bring it to market.”
What’s different about Liquid Peptide Advance Serum to other anti-ageing products?
“Proteins have the potential to be skincare powerhouses, delivering age-defying results, but their large size and complex structures make it difficult for them to penetrate the skin topically,” Isaacs tells us. “Enter: MiniProteinsTM, a groundbreaking innovation bringing pharmaceutical-grade precision to skincare. These expertly engineered molecules are designed to be small enough to penetrate deep into the skin, yet powerful enough to unleash the power of full-size proteins.
“Their precisely crafted 3D shape unlocks the full potential of the skin’s natural age-defying process, helping to reveal visibly smoother and firmer skin with every application. No other anti-ageing product has access to this patented technology.” Ok, sounds interesting…
Who is it designed for?
“Liquid Peptides Advanced MP is ideal for anyone wanting to target both fine lines and deep-set wrinkles and advanced signs of ageing,” explains Isaacs. “We clinically and consumer tested it on all skin types and tones, so in theory, it really is for anyone from their 20s and above.”
So, what did our team think?
Alison, dry skin, 40 years old
First impressions
Packaging: “The packaging is smart, chic and looks like it means business, which is exactly what I want from a serum. I’ve used Medik8’s products before – and love its C-Tetra Luxe vitamin C serum – so I had pretty high expectations.”
Formula: “It’s pretty unassuming. I did two pumps (I looked for any instructions on how best to apply and couldn’t see any so just went with it) and it spread easily on the skin. It doesn’t leave you feeling greasy or sticky, which I liked.”
Skin feel: “As the formula is lightweight, I was concerned it would do nothing for my poor parched skin (I used to be more combination but have found it’s got dryer as I’ve got older), but I was pleasantly surprised. It leaves your skin feeling instantly tightened and smooth without being uncomfortable. And because it dries at speed, you can quickly layer your moisturiser over the top.”
Did it suit your skin type and sensitivities?
“Yes, my skin is pretty dry (have I mentioned that?) and I was worried it would only make the situation worse, but I haven’t experienced any negative impact. I didn’t really expect to outside of the dryness, to be fair, as my skin is adept at dealing with whatever I throw at it. I am the opposite of a sensitive skin type – do I have insensitive skin?!”
The bottom line
“I’m impressed. I have lines around my eyes (all that lol’ing I do), and while I wasn’t sure it was having much of an effect, when I looked back at the before and after pictures, I do think it’s minimised them a bit. Not bad for 10 minutes’ work. I’ve been using it religiously (day and night) for about a month at this point and while I don’t think it’s done loads to my wrinkles yet, my skin looks clearer and feels smoother, which is a definite win for me. My only negative? The cost, because I fear I’ll be restocking a lot!” — Alison Lynch, Head of Content at the GHI
Maria, sensitive skin, 36 years old
First impressions
Packaging: “I always love the simple, no-frills Medik8 branding – I also like when a product full of actives has opaque packaging, as it shields the formula from sunlight, which could lead to degradation.”
Formula: “This formula is cooling and easy to apply – the serum is not so thin that it runs off the face and hands, but it has great spreadability and no tackiness. I can get good coverage after just two pumps, so hopefully it’ll last me a while.”
Skin feel: “The dry down is quick, which means layering products is easy and the formula sits so comfortably on my skin. Although glycerin is quite high up in the formula, I would still use a moisturiser on top of this, as its not super-hydrating. My skin definitely feels smoother and firmer after only a few uses, though.”
Did it suit your skin type and sensitivities?
“I have super sensitive and dry skin, so I do have to be careful when using actives, but after a few days of consistent use I’ve experienced no irritation whatsoever. The formulation is gentle and fragrance-free, which is always a plus for me and my temperamental skin.”
The bottom line
“This is a great product to introduce growth factors into your skincare routine if you haven’t already. For the sensitive girlies who are afraid to use retinol, it’s a good option to tackle those wrinkles and fine lines. I’ve noticed my skin feels plumper immediately after use but, in all honestly, I didn’t see any obvious reduction in fine lines ten minutes after application. That being said, I will definitely continue using this in my routine and reassess after eight weeks, as it has all the initial hallmarks of an efficacious serum.” — Maria Kumar, Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager
Florence, combination skin, 29 years old
First impressions
Packaging: “The bottle is dark to keep the light out, which tells me (I mean, I already knew, because it’s Medik8) that this brand knows a thing or two about stabilising its serums. It pumps out easily and is less than 100ml, so I can bring it with me as my lucky plus one on work trips.”
Formula: “It feels oh-so-silky and spreads easily, without dripping all over my face. As most of my fine lines sit on my forehead, I hate it when a serum is too thin and drips down – I may have bushy eyebrows, but they don’t like having to work twice as hard to keep a watery serum from going into my eyes, so this one gets the green light on the consistency front.”
Skin feel: “I’d say this is top tier for me when it comes to how it sinks in and feels on the skin. It makes my complexion feel immediately silky and soft without any leftover tackiness – there’s nothing worse than trying to sleep with a sticky face.”
Did it suit your skin type and sensitivities?
“To be honest, this trial has taught me that I’m not doing too bad on the fine line front. I have a couple on my forehead and one stubborn one between my eyebrows, but no crow’s feet or laughter lines (yet). I did notice that the crease above my nose softened slightly after putting this on, but I couldn’t really capture it in the pictures. As you can see, my main skin goal is getting my uneven texture sorted, so although I do think the peptide complex worked to smooth lines, I may revisit this serum in a few years once my texture is evened and preventing wrinkles is my main goal.”
The bottom line
“I loved everything about it but think I’ll use it as more of a preventative measure around my eyes and in targeted areas – the plumping effect it had on the line between my eyebrows has definitely piqued my interest!” — Florence Reeves-White, Senior Beauty Writer
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
