“What was that?” asked my colleague after I applied the Korean favourite, VT Cosmetics’ Reedle Shot 100, as part of my al-desko testing. She was intrigued not just by the medicinal-looking packaging, but also by how glowy my skin appeared after use.
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I first stumbled across this innovative product during one of my marathon TikTok doomscrolls. The name alone was enough to pique my interest, but after reading more about it, I was completely fascinated.
Described by the brand as “micro-needling in a bottle”, the idea that you could recreate the intensive treatment beloved by Hailey Bieber, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham without triggering (and instead soothing) the skin was more than enough to land it in my skincare routine.
The beloved K-beauty formula is a “0-step” product, which means it doesn’t replace any existing stage. It is designed to be used directly after cleansing to encourage better absorption for what follows. So with that in mind, it can be layered up with serums like vitamin C or retinol, depending on your concerns, to enhance their efficacy – just beware that sensitive skin types may see irritation for the latter.
My skin type is prone to sensitivities, and this is a gentle alternative to microneedling, which has, after clinic treatments, left my complexion red, stressed and inflamed. The trademarked Cica Reedle technology is unique and very effective. With 95,000ppm micro-sized needles made from hydrolysed sponges, shaped into tiny spikes and infused with cica and hyaluronic acid, it creates micro channels in the skin to improve texture and tone, while leaving skin moisturised and hydrated, especially when followed with the appropriate supercharged serums. The needles are naturally shed along with dead skin cells, leaving the complexion soothed, and the skin barrier strengthened. Some TikTok users rave about the impact it makes on cystic acne.
The VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot comes in four strengths. I went for 100 to begin with, which you can use daily (or nightly to be more precise), and it leaves my skin smooth and soft, while combating irritation with the inclusion of centella asiatica. It also made a huge impact on post-blemish discolouration. As you progress through the strengths (which contain more spicule needles) to the Reedle Shot 300, experts recommend that you decrease the frequency of use to just three times a week, while the Reedle Shot 700 is a weekly targeted spot treatment to release impurities from an active blemish.
If you have seen this product used on TikTok, you may be familiar with the interesting way that creators are applying it – dotted all over the face. But then, gripes come about residue when moisturising. The packaging details using “an appropriate amount”, and in my case, I found a pea-sized quantity was sufficient. For best results, tap the serum in even dots across the skin and lightly press without rubbing for better absorption.
So rarely is a product universally raved about on social media, and in just a few weeks of use, it is clear why this glass skin-giving formula has the seal of approval by even the most provocative of skinfluencers.
There are also different colours – silver is the original, while across the collection, there are targeted solutions like green for texture and pores, orange for hyperpigmentation, red for anti-ageing and blue for hydration.