Struggling with fine lines or wrinkles? Wanting to prevent aging before it dares to reach your face? You are not alone – there is a massive market for anti-aging skincare and K-beauty is dominating with well-researched, real-time effects that produce visible benefits. One of the key players is Celimax – with their ‘Honest Promise for Better Skin.’ They only formed in 2019, but already have several iconic products that are bought time and again for their soothing, repairing and caring formulas. 

Their new player on the scene is their Vita-A Retinal Shot (coming in both a serum and a booster), which promises holistic and deep wrinkle care, improved keratin pigment on skin, improved elasticity and total skin lift. Their trial runs produced a 100% satisfaction on all these criteria – so with those impressive statistics, is it worth buying and will we see any changes in two weeks? 

0.1% Retinal + Hydrolyzed sponge – This is the star ingredient in all the newest anti-aging products and it is so for a reason. Retinoids (retinol, retinal etc.) are derivatives of Vitamin A. It absorbs into the fatty layers of skin, deeply absorbing into skin cells and triggering renewal of skin growth. They prevent water loss from cells, plump up collagen and genuinely reduce rate of aging, whilst remodeling skin layers.  

Why is the sponge there? This is the source of ‘spicules’ - tiny microscopic needles that are used to create passages in the skin. It creates a ‘tingling’ effect across skin which allows retinal to penetrate far deeper and produce a stronger reaction. It is extracted from freshwater sponges and ensures deeper layers of skin receive benefits. 
 
Niacinamide – also known as Vitamin B3, it is also a favorite of almost every skincare product on the market. This is because it reduces skin cell stress and inflammation (helping calm redness and acne), but it also has been shown to refresh skin cells, partially reversing aging and it imparts a bright, characteristic glow to skin that has become addictive to users. 
 
Panthenol – also known as Vitamin B5. Panthenol is the protector of the skin barrier, helping deeply nourish and protect skin cells from water loss, improving lipid protection and reducing risk of infection and inflammation. It’s found in most sensitive-friendly moisturizers and works hard to balance and care for skin.

Olive Oil Extracts – these refer to several oils in the treatment that have been extracted from olive oil. These provide a deep hydration and stimulate tissue regeneration when applied topically. They provide nutrition to cells which help aid in repair and renewal of skin appearance. 
 
Vitamin C – The added boost of Vitamin C is also common in new anti-aging concoctions, as it provides a full bag of antioxidants which absorb into cells and provide lasting protection against environmental damage. Not only that, but it stimulates natural collagen production – providing a lift to skin. We have a full breakdown on Vitamin C to read here. 
 
Matrixyl 3000 (trio of peptides) - this is a lab-formulated trio of peptides that was famously designed in France. It contains three crucial amino acids that are mixed together to provide the framework and building blocks for cells to heal and repair. It’s found that products containing Matrixyl 3000 specifically have a better rate of healing and perform more positively than standard peptides alone.

Retinoids can be polarizing to the skin. They are an irritant that can cause redness and dryness, especially in sensitive skin. There are a few users who have used this shot to good effect even with sensitive skin, but it's important to consider trying something else if you are sensitive to retinol specifically.

The Vita-A Retinal Shot comes in a handy tube that can be applied directly to the skin in little dots. I struggle with dryness and dark circles around my eyes – so I was hoping to see some improvement with use. 

I started using it as part of my night-time routine, after cleansing in the shower. The product (and any product with spicules or exosomes) recommends you apply it directly after cleansing step – so that’s what I did too. After applying careful dots around my eyes and forehead, I would lightly massage it in. Within a few seconds of absorbing, you could feel the ‘tingling’ needles of the spicules absorbing – which makes the product feel really effective. 

Here is the before and after shot of using, for two weeks. With anti-aging products it is always hard to properly evaluate its effect – but I really felt a difference. My skin appears better hydrated, has a brighter shine (thanks to the niacinamide) and I noticed less deepening in lines around my eyes. The product was used every night for two weeks and there’s still a good amount in the tubes (despite how small the product is at 15ml) and I feel it has worked really well for my skin type (normal-to-dry). 

There was no irritation over the two weeks from the retinal (as its a stabilized, small dose) and the spicules were not irritating either. I noticed improved hydration in my day-to-day and my skin is noticeably brighter. 

This product worked really well for me – but it has had mixed reviews for different skin types. People with acne-prone skin have reported breakouts in some instances and at worst, some people have seen no improvement. It does take time for a product to work at a baseline – and especially for anti-aging (which can be slow) it's good to trial out a product for 3-4 weeks before calling it quits. If you are looking for a retinal product that is non-irritating to the general masses, isn’t super expensive and will last you a month – this is a great one to try and I’m excited to keep it in my rotation.