Medik8 Exfoliators & Toners

Medik8 replaced the harsh scrub with the daily acid toner, and Press & Glow is the product that did it: a gluconolactone PHA that exfoliates gently enough for every morning. Epios Skin stocks the Medik8 toner range as an authorised Australian stockist, Press & Glow and its refill for brightness and texture, Press & Clear and its refill with salicylic acid for congestion, and the alcohol-free Daily Refresh Balancing Toner for skin that wants hydration rather than exfoliation. Below is which to choose and, more importantly, how often.

Crystal Retinal Retinol & retinal Vitamin C Serums Cleansers Moisturisers Eye creams Peptides Exfoliators & toners Kits & sets

5 products

Save $13.00

Medik8

Press & Glow

$52.00

$65.00

Save $8.20

Medik8

Daily Refresh Balancing Toner

$32.80

$41.00

Save $12.20

Medik8

Press & Clear Refill

$48.80

$61.00

Save $13.80

Medik8

Press & Clear

$55.20

$69.00

Sold out

Save $11.80

Medik8

Press & Glow Refill

$47.20

$59.00

Which Medik8 toner for your skin

Dull, uneven or dehydrated skin: Press & Glow, a polyhydroxy acid that exfoliates and hydrates at once. Refill available.
Oily, congested or breakout-prone skin: Press & Clear, salicylic acid with the same no-sting delivery. Refill available.
Sensitive skin, or days without acids: Daily Refresh Balancing Toner, alcohol-free and soothing.

How often to exfoliate with Medik8

Press & Glow is designed for daily morning use; its PHA molecules are too large to penetrate fast, which is what makes it gentle. Press & Clear is daily for oily skin and two to three times a week for everyone else. If you use Crystal Retinal or Intelligent Retinol at night, keep acid toners to the morning, so the two never meet on the skin. The sign you are overdoing it is tightness or a sheen that is not glow; drop back a few days and the barrier recovers.

Toner in the routine

After cleansing, before serum: press the soaked pad over the face rather than wiping, which is where the name comes from. Follow with vitamin C in the morning. Daily Refresh Balancing Toner can go on any time skin feels tight, including over the day as a mist of hydration before moisturiser.

Medik8 toner questions

Can I use Press & Glow and Crystal Retinal together?

Yes, but not at the same time. Press & Glow in the morning, Crystal Retinal at night.

Press & Glow or Press & Clear?

Press & Glow for most skins; Press & Clear if blackheads and breakouts are the main concern. Some people use Press & Clear through the T-zone and Press & Glow elsewhere.

Are the refills the same formula?

Identical. The refill pouch decants into the original bottle at a lower price and a fraction of the packaging.

Is Epios Skin an authorised Medik8 stockist?

Yes. Every Medik8 product we sell comes through the authorised Australian supply chain, so it is genuine, in date and stored correctly. Epios Skin is run by a doctor-led skin clinic in Sydney, and Medik8 is the range our clinical team reaches for most.

Brand quick facts

Founded

2009

Origin

London, United Kingdom

Key technology

CSA Philosophy · Crystal Retinal

The approach

Medik8's CSA Philosophy is the clearest organising idea in skincare: vitamin C and sunscreen by day, vitamin A by night. Three ingredients, two steps, applied consistently.

The reasoning is that these three have more independent clinical evidence behind them than anything else available without prescription, and that most routines fail from complexity rather than from missing ingredients.

The brand's other distinguishing choice is retinaldehyde, usually shortened to retinal. Where most over-the-counter products use retinol, which converts to retinoic acid in two enzymatic steps, retinal sits one step closer. That means it acts faster at equivalent concentration. Medik8 pioneered its use in mainstream skincare and their Crystal Retinal range is built on it.

Formulations are developed and manufactured in-house at their innovation centre outside London. The brand is B Corp certified.

What to know

Medik8 is widely available. Unlike some of the ranges we carry, Medik8 sells directly in Australia and through a number of retailers. We stock it because it fits alongside what else we hold, not because it is hard to find.

Retinal is not retinol. They are different molecules at different points in the same conversion pathway. Retinal is closer to the active form, which generally means faster results and, at equivalent strength, a similar or slightly greater adjustment period. Comparing a retinal percentage to a retinol percentage is not like for like.

The range is deliberately simple. Fewer products, clearer roles. If you find multi-step routines difficult to sustain, that structure is the point rather than a limitation.

L'Oréal acquired a majority stake in 2025. The founder remains involved and formulation continues in-house, but the brand is no longer independently owned. Worth knowing if that matters to you.

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