Microneedling sounds intimidating. Needles, downtime, appointments. So when a serum promises the same thing from a bottle, it’s fair to be sceptical — and fair to want the real story before you put it on your face.
Here it is. What spicules actually are, what they genuinely do (and what they don’t), which strength suits you, and — the bit almost nobody talks about — how often is too often.
What exactly are spicules?
Reedles are microscopic, needle-like structures made of silica, sourced from Spongilla — a freshwater sponge. VT formulates them alongside their Cica complex, which is where the “Cica Reedle” name comes from.
Pressed into skin, they create temporary, very shallow microchannels in the outermost layer — thousands of tiny doors that let whatever you apply next get where it’s going.
What makes this genuinely different from clinical microneedling:
- No metal needles. No equipment, no downtime.
- The channels are temporary. They begin closing within about half an hour and are largely resealed within hours — not days.
- The spicules themselves shed naturally over 2–3 days as your skin renews. Nothing stays lodged in your face.
How they actually work
Think of your skin barrier as a brick wall — dead cells for bricks, lipids for mortar. It protects you brilliantly, which also means most of what you apply simply sits on top.
Spicules open a temporary route through that top layer. Actives pass in more easily, the gentle mechanical action buffs away surface roughness, and the channels reseal within hours.
VT Reedle Shot: which strength?
The number is the reedle count. Reedle Shot 50 has around 50,000 reedles; the 100 has 100,000; the 300 has 300,000. Higher number, more spicules, more intensity.
| Strength | Best for | VT says | We say |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 — £20 | Sensitive skin, beginners, a barrier that’s struggling | Up to daily | 2–3× a week |
| 100 — £25 | All skin types — texture, pores, early fine lines | Daily, PM | 2× a week, PM |
| 300 — £32 | Rough texture, enlarged pores, congestion, dullness | 2–3× a week | 1–2× a week, PM |
Why the 50 is gentler: it uses silica micro-spicules rather than the hydrolysed-sponge system in the 100 and 300. Smaller, rounder, less sharp particles — which is exactly why it’s our pick if you’re nervous or your barrier is already unhappy.
VT also make a 700 and a 1000. We don’t stock them — the 300 is already a serious step up, and most people simply don’t need more.
- VT Reedle Shot 50 — the gentle starting point. Sensitive or nervous? Begin here. £20.00
- VT Reedle Shot 100 — the all-rounder. Texture, pores, radiance. £25.00
- VT Reedle Shot 300 — for stubborn texture and congestion. £32.00
How to apply it
- Cleanse thoroughly. All makeup, all SPF, all of it.
- Pat completely dry. This one matters. Damp skin dilutes the serum — weaker results, more irritation.
- Press, don’t rub. Pea-sized amount, gentle pressing motion, avoiding eyes and lips.
- Expect tingling for 5–10 minutes. Normal and expected.
- Then layer as usual once the tingling settles.
- SPF the next morning. Non-negotiable.
What can you layer on top? (the bit everyone gets wrong)
Here’s what people miss: Reedle Shot isn’t merely compatible with your other serums — it’s built to carry them. Whatever goes on next gets absorbed better.
So the real question isn’t “is this allowed”. It’s what deserves that boosted absorption — and what absolutely should not have it. A gentle active becomes a great active. A harsh active becomes a problem.
| Layer after Reedle Shot? | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Peptides | Yes | This is the pairing spicules exist for. Peptides are large and struggle to penetrate — the microchannels are exactly what they need. |
| PDRN | Yes | Repair-focused and barrier-friendly. Makes full use of the delivery. |
| Exosomes | Yes | Synergistic, not conflicting — spicule delivery is the recognised route for exosomes. Introduce gradually; they’re potent. |
| Niacinamide, alpha arbutin, tranexamic acid, licorice root | Yes | Soft brighteners. No conflict, better absorbed. If you’re fading marks, this is the smart combination. |
| Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, centella, panthenol | Yes | Hydration and barrier support. Always a safe follow-up. |
| Azelaic acid | Carefully | Not a true exfoliating acid, so it’s not the same clash as glycolic. Most tolerant skin manages it with the 50 — but not on night one. Build tolerance separately first. |
| Pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) | Not same night | Potent and low-pH. Boosted absorption here is a fast route to stinging. |
| AHAs & BHAs — glycolic, lactic, salicylic | Not same night | You’re already exfoliating. Doubling up is how barriers break. |
| Retinol — including our Celimax | Not same night | Rotate them instead. See below. |
| LED masks & devices | Not same night | Give your skin the evening off. |
And never: two Reedle Shot strengths on the same day, or over broken skin, active inflamed spots or rashes. Work around a breakout, not over it.
“But you sell a retinol — and you’re telling me not to use retinol?”
Fair question. To be clear: Reedle Shot and the Celimax retinol aren’t incompatible products. They’re just not same-night products.
You rotate them. Both drive cell turnover; stacking them in one evening doesn’t double your results, it just doubles the load on a barrier that needs a night off to rebuild.
Celimax Vita-A Retinol Shot
If Reedle Shot is the absorption booster, this is the active doing the heavy lifting — fine lines, firmness, uneven tone.
- 0.1% pure retinol — vitamin A in its active alcohol form, not a gentler retinyl ester.
- Sponge spicules (Celimax call it “162,000 A-Shot”) — the same microchannel principle, used here to carry the retinol.
- 9-peptide complex — supporting firmness and elasticity.
- 1% panthenol — soothing, buffering against the irritation retinol can bring.
Is 0.1% strong? It’s a solid, meaningful strength — enough to work, gentle enough to build up to. Not your first-ever skincare product, but very much within reach with a sensible ramp-up.
Worth knowing: Celimax also make a separate “Retinal” Booster, using retinaldehyde. Different product, different active. This one is retinol.
How to use it
- Cleanse and dry completely.
- Start low. First few weeks: once or twice a week, pea-sized, pressed gently in.
- Build only if your skin asks. Two to three nights a week is a perfectly good long-term rhythm. If you’re also using Reedle Shot, stay at the lower end.
- Seal with a rich moisturiser.
- SPF 30+ the next morning. Retinol speeds turnover and increases photosensitivity.
The yellow tint is the retinol and beta-carotene in the formula, not a fault. It washes off by morning.
What to expect, honestly
- Weeks 1–2: mild tightness, tingling, perhaps a little flaking. Adjustment, not failure — but a reason to go slowly.
- Weeks 3–4: texture typically improves. Fine lines soften.
- Weeks 6–8: tone evens. Skin tends to look firmer.
Retinol works gradually but steadily. If a brand promises dramatic results in a week, they’re overselling.
- Celimax Vita-A Retinol Shot Tightening Serum — 0.1% pure retinol with peptides and panthenol, delivered by spicules. £22.90
How often is too often?
This is the section we care about most, and the one you won’t find on the box.
Your barrier repairs itself overnight — and it can only do that on a night it isn’t being resurfaced. Cumulative actives (spicules, retinoids, acids) increase water loss through the skin and, used too often, impair its ability to rebuild. Tip into that, and recovery takes weeks, not days. The cruel irony: a compromised barrier makes everything look worse — more redness, more sensitivity, marks that linger.
- Reedle Shot only? Two to three nights a week is plenty. Genuinely.
- Reedle Shot and retinol? Pull the Reedle Shot right back — one night a week is enough.
- Sensitive or already struggling? The 50, once a week. Build only if your skin asks.
If Reedle Shot is your only active
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reedle Shot | Recovery | Recovery | Reedle Shot | Recovery | Reedle Shot (optional) | Recovery |
If you’re using Reedle Shot and the Celimax retinol
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retinol | Recovery | Reedle Shot | Recovery | Retinol | Recovery | Recovery |
What’s a recovery night? Cleanse, hydrate, moisturise, sleep. No actives. That’s it — and it’s doing just as much work as the active nights. This is the step people skip, and it’s the reason their skin stalls.
This is more cautious than VT’s label, and that’s deliberate. Follow the manufacturer if you prefer — but this is what we’d tell a friend.
More frequency doesn’t mean faster results. It means a slower, more painful road, because you spend half your time repairing damage you caused. The people with the best skin aren’t the ones doing the most.
For your skin type
Oily skin
Reedle Shot 50 or 100 suits you well; the 300 once or twice a week if congestion is stubborn. Follow with lightweight hydrators, not heavy creams.
Dry skin
Stick to the lower end of our frequencies — your barrier needs the recovery time more than most. Always follow with a rich moisturiser, and a facial oil if you like it.
Sensitive skin
Start with the 50, once a week. The silica particles are genuinely gentler. Patch-test on your jaw or behind the ear for 24 hours first. There is no prize for rushing.
Acne-prone skin
Reedle Shot helps with congestion, texture and post-spot marks — but work around active, inflamed spots, not over them. Pressing spicules into an angry breakout will not help it. Don’t stack with your acne treatment on the same night; rotate. And SPF is extra critical, because post-spot marks darken in the sun.
Melanated skin
Both products suit deeper skin tones, and retinol is genuinely useful for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which tends to be more persistent. Because PIH is the concern, the priority is avoiding irritation — go slowly, don’t over-exfoliate, be religious about SPF. Irritation is what causes the marks in the first place.
Your questions, answered
Can I use Reedle Shot and retinol on the same night?
No. Alternate nights instead. VT specifically advise against doubling up on the same day.
Will my skin become dependent?
No. Your skin won’t “need” them. You may well want to keep the results — that’s preference, not dependency.
What if my skin reacts badly?
Stop. Gentle cleanser, rich moisturiser, calming serum. Give it 3–5 days, then reassess — lower strength, lower frequency, or decide it isn’t for you. All valid.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
Topical retinol isn’t recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding — skip the Celimax. Reedle Shot has no known contraindication, but check with your midwife or GP before starting anything new.
Can I use these with benzoyl peroxide or a prescription treatment?
Not on the same night. Rotate — acne treatment Monday and Thursday, Reedle Shot midweek, for example.
How long before I see results?
Reedle Shot: 1–2 weeks for texture and pores. Retinol: 3–4 weeks for texture and fine lines, 6–8 weeks for tone. Patience is the ingredient nobody sells you.
Do I need both, or can I pick one?
Pick one, honestly. Reedle Shot is for the surface — texture, dullness, congestion, and making your other products work harder. Retinol is for the deeper work — lines, firmness, tone. Different goals. Choose the one that matches yours.
The bottom line
Spicules aren’t magic. What they are is a clever, well-evidenced way of getting your actives past a barrier designed to keep things out — plus a gentle resurfacing step in their own right. That’s genuinely useful, and it’s enough.
Patch-test. Start low and slow. Take your recovery nights. Wear your SPF. And remember — the best routine is the one you’ll actually stick to.
- VT Reedle Shot 50 — sensitive skin and beginners. £20.00
- VT Reedle Shot 100 — the all-rounder. £25.00
- VT Reedle Shot 300 — stubborn texture and pores. £32.00
- Celimax Vita-A Retinol Shot — 0.1% retinol for lines and firmness. £22.90
Your radiant skin is waiting. Let’s go.