VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot Universe

Where I got it

I won this PR box from a competition held by Hikoco and VT Cosmetics (very grateful). I am not obligated to create any content as a result of this prize, but I do enjoy VT Reedle Shot products and I am excited to try other versions of this amazing product.

I thought this was not available for purchase, but I actually found it on StyleVana (it was called a variety set). I bought it before I knew I won the Hikoco x VT Cosmetics competition, so now I have 2 sets! These are so good for travelling.

*I’ll provide a link and prices at the end of this blog post*

What I got

This is the VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot Universe PR box. It contains 9 versions of the Reedle Shot serum VT cosmetics currently have and each box contains 10 single-use sachets, so it is not a full-sized bottle in each box.

The following Reedle Shot versions are:

1. Mild Reedle Shot 50. Mildest version of the original Reedle shot, can be used AM and PM, on a daily basis and is suitable for all skin types.
2. 100 Reedle Shot. Step up from 50, 100 is slightly prickly, but also suitable for daily use.
3. 300 Reedle Shot. Step up from 100, 300 is even more prickly and can be used to alternate with 100 or 1-2 times a week.
4. 100 PDRN Reedle Shot. Plant-based PDRN extracted from wild ginseng. Intensive care boosts inner radiance.
5. 100 Pro Cica Reedle Shot. Provides intensive soothing care with VT’s main proprietary ingredient Cicahyalo-gene.
6. 100 Collagen Reedle Shot. Elasticity intensive care with low molecular weight collagen and elasticity synergy ingredients. 
7. 100 Vita-Light Reedle Shot. Contains British vitamin C and synergistic ingredients for intensive brightening care.
8. 100 Reti-A Reedle Shot. Provides intensive pore care with Reti-A, a stabilised form of retinol.
9. 100hL Hydrop Reedle Shot. Provides hydration radiance care with nano-sized capsules of ultra-low molecular hyaluronic acid.

How I find it

First of all, the box is so pretty, it is exactly like a box that a Reedle shot serum comes in but mega-sized. There is an information pamphlet inside, providing information on the Reedle technology, a brief explanation of each version, and the awards they have won in Korea, etc.

The Mild Reedle Shot 50 is very mild which you can use in the AM and PM, twice a day and suitable for sensitive skin. I do not have sensitive skin so I wouldn’t usually go for something so mild. I have just tried one sachet of this to see the texture, but I will probably give this to a girlfriend who has sensitive skin.

100 and 300 Reedle Shots are just the same as the ones I have been using AND loving for at least 3 months. In conclusion, the original reedle shots are very versatile because you can use whatever serums and concentrates you want on top.  300 is obviously more noticeable on the skin but it feels OK once you get used to it. I find that alternating 100 and 300 really improved my skin in the long run. If you want to keep using your tried-and-trusted serums and concentrates, but also want to add the reedle shot in intensify the results, go with the original.

Next, let’s have a look at the PDRN reedle shot. PDRN is currently the buzzword in the K-beauty skincare community. PDRN, is also known as polydeoxyribonucleotide. Consists of DNA fragments mainly extracted from the sperm cells of salmon trout or chum salmon. I think the hype also came from how people are freaked out because people think we are literally putting salmon sperm on our skin. However, there are vegan alternatives and VT Cosmetics uses vegan alternatives and this PDRN is plant-based and extracted by wild ginseng. The texture of this reedle shot is quite different to the other versions. It has a milky-white colour, the consistency is more of a thick milk than a gel cream. It feels a little thick on the skin, but it also sinks in fast. Quite an interesting texture that I like and I think I will continue using the rest in the box.

Next up, the Pro Cica reedle shot. This is infused with VT’s proprietary cica ingredient CICAHYALO-GENE and beta-glucan and allantoin to soothe, hydrate, nourish, protect and condition the skin. Even though all the other reedle shot versions contain Centella Asiatica (cica), this one is like a booster when you need extra care. Again, I do not have sensitive skin, but my skin loves a good soothing product when I have these acne flare-ups from overusing acids and/or new retinol products. I used to use aggravating or drying products over acne flare-ups to try and resolve it, but the more I attack it, the worse it gets. I often have to just tone down my spot treatments and just nurse my skin barrier back to health and let my skin return to normal.

The next one is the Collagen reedle shot. This has a lightweight texture, very similar to the original version. Now I am not a big fan of skincare products touting the benefits of applying collagen from the surface of the skin. I would use products with other ingredients to promote the production of collagen, but I do not believe applying collagen on the skin would increase my collagen deep down in my skin. However, I would still use this as a normal reedle shot because it still contains the cicahyalon ingredient as well as 3-types of hyaluronic acid to plump up the skin. However, I don’t think I would go out of my way to grab another bottle of this.

The next one is the Vita-light reedle shot. This is the brightening reedle shot infused with vitamin C capsules, and vitamin E to increase skin radiance level and improve uneven skin tone. The texture of this one is gel-like with little yellow/orange coloured capsules suspended in the serum. From the ingredients list, I could see skin brightening ingredients such as niacinamide, turmeric root extract, and ascorbic acid.

Second to last one we have the Reti-A reedle shot. This one has retinol so you need to be careful if you are new to retinol because the ingredient could be irritating to some people, especially with the reedles. The reedles should allow for the ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin, hence intesifying the effects of the retinol. I am an avid user of retinol already and have rarely experience any adverse effects even with tretinoin, my skin tolerated this very well. This has Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) which is a new member in the retinoid family and is gentle but effective. This also has retinol which is also a well-known, proven anti-aging ingredient. From what I see, this formulation would be really gentle on the skin with relatively new technology to ensure low irritation.

Last but not least, the 100hL Hydrop reedle shot. I have a full size bottle of the 300hL Hydrop which is a step up from the 100. This is a hydrating serum combined with the reedles to allow for the hydrating ingredients to penetrate deeper. Contains a plethora of hydrating ingredients like Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, etc.

Overall

I am again very thankful for Hikoco for this lovely set. This is so good for someone who is new to the reedle shot serums or if you go travelling. I think 100 is a good starting point for most skin types, but the set also has 50 which should be suitable for all skin types. There is at least 2 versions that I want to get a full-size bottle, and possibly the 300 version just because my skin can tolerate it.

This set is available at StyleVana for NZD$71.09 (on sale currently, but without sale, it is around $100). The set isn’t the most affordable, but to be able to try 9 of these without committing to the full-sized bottle, it is a good investment. Otherwise, you can find the bottles on sale from time to time on a number of different platforms.