If you love Korean skincare and follow its trends religiously, you've probably heard of VT Cosmetics' Reedle Shot Line. This viral Korean treatment is one of my favorites right now for its innovative approach to skincare and exfoliation—it's gentle, hydrating, softening, and barrier-repairing—what more could you ask for? I first discovered it after having a conversation with my aesthetician Varuni Palacios. She's always giving me A+ product recommendations, but this one really took the cake. It's an affordable at-home version of Korean liquid microneedling—an in-office treatment I can't get enough of.
At just $21 a bottle, VT's Reedle Shot 100($21) is exactly the daily product I've been looking for. It's easy to use, isn't painful, and improves dark spots, acne, and texture so fast. If you're interested in trying a treatment like this, but don't have the budget to shell out hundreds for an in-office liquid microneedling treatment, you're going to want to keep reading. I'm sharing my full review of VT's Reedle Shot 100 below.
How does Reedle Shot work?
To give you a bit more info on this technology, VT's Cica Reedle Shot products use spicule technology—tiny and extremely thin needle-like particles that are 14 times thinner than pores. The use of spicules helps skin absorb active ingredients better, allowing them to penetrate more deeply into the skin. Palacios also gave a bit more insight. "Spicules are easily my most favorite treatment coming out of South Korea right now," she says. "They're ideal for total skin rejuvenation——softening, brightening, skin barrier strength building, hydrating, and firming. I can't get enough. I offer a clinical-strength treatment in my clinic, but love that VT's Reedle Shot offers a gentler yet effective format for at home use, because consistency is key and consumers love to get their hands on anything they can do on their own. VT's Reedle Shot comes in various strengths and I've been using the 300 for months. My acne-prone, pigmented skin has never looked better. Brighter, smoother, clearer.
"VT's Reedle Shot is a skin exfoliator, meant to be used immediately after cleansing for best results," she explains. "The innovative formula incorporates liquid microneedles (or spicules) that are naturally derived to exfoliate the skin alongside centella asiatica extract, three different weights of hyaluronic acid, and green propolis extract to repair, hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier. You apply the product as you would any other corrective serum after cleansing and follow up with a hydrating moisturizer for skin barrier benefits."
The great thing about VT's Reedle Shot Line is that it comes in different strengths: 100, 300, 700, and 1000 which indicate the amount of spicules in the formula. 100 is the only one that's for daily use. Honestly, I thought I would start with 100 and see how my skin did, but I truly love this daily formula and was actually surprised how well it worked for my skin after just one use. I'm talking clearer, calmer, more hydrated skin. I asked Palacios for a little advice on how to use it and she had a few suggestions. One, you should always cleanse and then use Reedle Shot first before any other serums or moisturizers—this will ensure that the rest of your routine penetrates the skin better.
In terms of using it with another exfoliant like IS Clinical's Active Serum (which I use), Palacios says you can use the two of them together, but proceed with caution here. Although Reedle Shot is incredibly gentle, you might be a little tight or dry if you over do it by using another exfoliator on top so start small. You also shouldn't combine Reedle Shot with a retinoid. I honestly got away with using both the Active Serum and Reedle Shot 100 together, but I probably won't do it often, it did make my skin a little dehydrated so if you also have ultra sensitive skin like I do, try just using Reedle Shot on its own first.
Trust me, I wasn't sure Reedle Shot 100 alone would be enough for my acne-prone skin, but it really gets the job done. I noticed a big improvement after just a few days of use. As you can see in the photo above, I'd been struggling with some post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne brought on by a recent chemical peel that I did (better out than in, I guess). Reedle Shot not only calmed the inflammation, but worked wonders for my barrier damage and both the acne and scarring started to improve on some stubborn spots after a few days. It did, however, also cause some major purging so be prepared for that if you have super reactive, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. It almost acts as a deep clean for your skin by refining texture and pushing any old congestion out of your pores fast. Purging isn't exactly fun, but as my aesthetician always says, sometimes you have to just take it on the chin for the sake of clear skin.
Reedle Shot has been a game-changer for me though and I can't believe this product is only $21. It's the perfect solution for anyone who wants to try out spicule technology, but can't afford a pricy in-office treatment. It does feel like tiny little pokes when you apply the product to your face, but I didn't find it uncomfortable at all and my skin is super sensitive. Compared to an in-office liquid microneedling treatment—this is a walk in the park.
Here's what my skin looked like after a couple weeks. Using this product in combination with a retinoid makes me feel like I've found my holy grail skincare routine. It's the perfect exfoliant for sensitive, acne-prone skin because it still works incredibly well, but doesn't come with the dryness that a lot of other acne medications do. I can't recommend it enough if you have similar skin and I completely get why this is so viral in Korea right now. Below are a few more products I can't wait to get my hands on from the brand.
The Rest of My VT Cosmetics Wishlist
The brand recommends pairing Reedle Shot with this super hydrating essence containing vegan PDRN. It hydrates, firms, and gives the Korean "glass skin" effect when the two are used together.
I'm obsessed with the original Reedle Shot 100, but I can't wait to give this antioxidant- and arbutin-rich formula a try next. It also features dragon's blood and ceramides to enhance skin elasticity and repair the moisture barrier.
My skin is super sensitive so I really appreciate that the brand's Glucamune line contains a short list of ingredients, but is still super hydrating and gives the skin a healthy glow. This essence works even better when paired with the cream.
Reviews describe this cream as having an almost sticky and tacky texture before you apply it, but once you do, it just melts into the skin. It repairs the skin barrier, soothes redness, and best of all, doesn't cost a fortune.
I absolutely love Korean sunscreens and this cica-rich formula is high on my list of ones I need to try. Cica is such a great ingredient for acne-prone skin because it calms inflammation and redness in a flash.
Infused with milk protein extract, collagen, and vitamin E, this version of Reedle Shot is great for boosting moisture and plumping the skin. I truly can't decide which one I want more—Collagen Reedle Shot or Red Booster Reedle Shot.
This cream is another great option because it contains a host of brightening ingredients perfect for anyone who struggles with hyperpigmentation like me. The formula is also super lightweight and gives your skin such an incredible glow.
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