I Tried the Celimax Retinol Shot with Micro-needles - Here's My Honest Review

Hello everyone who's stopped by to check out this review!

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I'm super excited to share my thoughts on the Celimax RETINOL SHOT with retinol and micro-needles. I know a lot of people have been talking about this little gem, and I'm no exception. I listened, listened, and eventually bought it for myself - not just once, but with a cream to match. At the time, I was really keen on getting my hands on this particular product from this brand, and now I have a whole collection of their stuff.

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Packaging and design.

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When I first opened the squalane serum, it came in a sealed box with the same design as the tub. But, of course, I tossed the box - I didn't plan on writing this review back then, and I'm not one to keep packaging around. Fast forward six months or so, and I decided I wanted to share my thoughts on the product.

Celimax RETINOL SHOT with retinol and micro-needlesThe serum itself looks pretty great - minimalist, yet luxurious. The dropper is hidden under a lid that closes tightly, keeping dust and dirt out. Retinol Shot by Celimax I've got to say, the packaging was a bit different from what I'm used to for serums - instead of a pipette, it comes with a thin nozzle with a built-in dosing mechanism that you need to press. And I'm happy to report that it doesn't get clogged even after a while, which is a common issue with this type of dosing system. I think it's because the serum itself has a relatively liquid texture.xa0

Where I bought it and the price.

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I actually purchased it from the 'Podruzhka' online store, where it's usually priced at 2740 rubles. Of course, you can find it for 1300 rubles if you're willing to look for deals. I managed to snag it when they had a 2-for-3 promotion on all their products, so I got one free with my purchase.

I've also seen it on other popular platforms like Wildberries and Ozon, but be sure to check the sellers, as there are some fake versions floating around.

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The manufacturer's claims and my expectations.

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I've got combination skin that can be a bit finicky, but I've used retinol-based products before, so I was willing to give it a shot. Plus, there are heaps of positive reviews out there. I do get breakouts and flakiness, especially in areas where my skin tends to get oily.

Retinol Shot by Celimax with Micro-needlesI was super excited to try out Celimax's Retinol Shot, and I'm glad I did. This stuff is a game-changer. With its unique formula combining retinol and micro-needles, it's like a wake-up call for my skin. The lightweight texture glides on effortlessly, providing intense hydration without leaving me feeling greasy. I love the matte, smooth finish it gives me, as it helps to regulate my oil production and prevent acne.

The retinol in Celimax's Retinol Shot really gets to work, stimulating cell turnover and making fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable. It's also got anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce excess oiliness and leave my skin looking smoother and more even-toned. The micro-needles are what really set this product apart, though - they deliver active ingredients deep into my skin, gently exfoliating and improving texture.

Another key player is the tripeptide, which boosts collagen production and gives my skin a more supple, elastic feel. Plus, it's got pantothenol, which helps to repair and soothe my skin, and even speeds up the healing process.

I was looking to get a more even skin tone, reduce oiliness and redness, and get rid of those pesky breakouts. And, of course, I wanted to do it all without drying out my skin or making it look unnatural.

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Ingredients.

Celimax Retinol Shot with Micro-Needles I'm not going to get too deep into the ingredients, but you can see that retinol, panthenol, peptides, and those micro-needles are the main players here. They're supposed to help the formula penetrate deeper into the skin. Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, PVM/MA Copolymer, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glucose, Retinol, Undecane, Tridecane, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-1, Dipeptide-2, Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA

There's a lot of science going on here, but the key players are the retinol, panthenol, peptides, and micro-needles. I'm not here to promise you a natural product - I'm here to tell you what works, so let's get down to business.

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Expiration dates, storage info, and other important details.

Retinol Shot by Celimax One thing I noticed about this serum is that it needs to be stored in the fridge. Trust me, it's worth keeping it chilled - it works way better when you do. In fact, you should always store it in the fridge when you're not using it. Store at 3–10 °C.

I really appreciate that the expiration date is clearly marked on both the box and the bottom of the bottle. That way, I don't have to worry about throwing away the packaging and trying to remember when I bought it.

The packaging includes all the necessary info, including the manufacturer and importer details, contact info, and more. It's all in English, which is convenient. The product is made in South Korea, which is reassuring.

How to use it and what it feels like.

Retinol Shot by Celimax The texture of this serum is really smooth and liquidy, not at all oily or greasy. It's got a strong yellow color, which is pretty noticeable. When I apply it, I don't really notice a smell, but it's definitely there for a second or two. It's a light, neutral scent that I actually kind of enjoy. After I've applied it, the smell disappears pretty quickly. Apply it at night after you've cleaned your face, gently massaging it in with your fingertips until it's fully absorbed. Finish off your routine with a moisturizer. Don't forget to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 50 during the day!

Start with 2-3 applications a week and gradually increase the frequency. If you experience irritation, reduce usage. Avoid the eye area if you're sensitive.

Celimax Retinol Shot Face SerumIt's crucial to follow the instructions to the letter, or you risk damaging your skin with retinol burn. Make sure to apply it at night, and even in the morning, use a broad-spectrum SPF moisturizer if you're going outside, as your skin becomes extremely sensitive to the sun.

Celimax Retinol Shot Face SerumWhen first starting out, use it every other day, not daily. xa0

My experience with application, effects, and overall impressions.

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Given its fairly liquid texture, the serum spreads incredibly well.

When massaging it in, you might feel a slight tingling sensation from the micro-needles, and your skin might slightly redden, but that's about it.

RETINOL SHOT by Celimax with Retinol and Micro-needles I used this serum in combination with the matching cream, and at first, my skin took on a yellowish hue due to the product's color, but that faded away over time. It absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue or film on my skin. The 'prickling' sensation went away almost instantly.

RETINOL SHOT by Celimax with Retinol and Micro-needlesAfter using it, my skin felt softer, more matte, and less oily. It even gave me a subtle lifting effect, and my pores seemed to shrink. My skin looked smoother, and the flakiness disappeared. One thing to note is that after applying it in the morning, I needed to follow up with some intense moisturizing products, as retinol can be drying. I usually stick to hydrating and restorative creams for dry skin.

RETINOL SHOT by Celimax with Retinol and Micro-needlesBut when the treatment course was over, and my skin was looking great, I stopped using the serum, and by the afternoon, my skin started flaking up in certain areas, and no cream could help.

It also seemed that when I used a toner on those areas, I got redness and small 'burns' that flaked and itched.

RETINOL SHOT with Retinol and Micro-needles I have to admit, the first few days of using this product were pretty harsh. The initial irritation was intense, and I wasn't sure if I'd made a mistake by switching from a moisturizing cream to this serum.

The packaging is super convenient; The scent is really nice; It glides on smoothly; I can feel the micro-needles when I apply it; My skin looks smoother and more even-toned; The dry patches and redness have all but disappeared.

When I stopped using it, I got some pretty nasty burns and dryness.

Final Verdict.

Despite the initial struggles, I still highly recommend this product. It really delivers on its promises, and I've seen some amazing results. However, I'm docking two stars because of the reaction I got when I stopped using it. It's clear that this product needs to be used with care.

Thanks for reading, folks! I hope this review was helpful. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

You can also check out my reviews for other Celimax products:

Pleasant peeling peds from Korean top-chic Celimax.

On the score of light texture and illumination, I'd say the plus points in this cream outweigh the minus ones.

How I learned to love my solo product after a month of using it