Celimax

Celimax Retinal Shot.

Retinoids

About this product

A Korean retinoid serum combining 0.1% retinaldehyde with peptides and panthenol, designed to address signs of aging including dark spots and uneven texture.

Full ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Synthetic Beeswax, Sodium Polyacrylate, Diisostearyl Malate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Arginine, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Retinal, Adenosine, Sodium Lactate, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol

Guru Score

83%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What they liked

Affordable retinaldehyde serum
Retinaldehyde more potent than retinol

What they flagged

Easy to overuse with the amount needed

What the gurus are saying

This retinaldehyde serum earns praise for packing more punch than standard retinol, with peptides and soothing panthenol built in to support the skin while it works on dark spots and texture. The price point makes it an accessible entry to retinoids, though dermatologists note that a pea-size amount is all you need, people tend to use too much simply because it's so affordable.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take June 2026

Best for

Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Vitamin C Retinoid NiacinamideVitamin EPeptides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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The Budget Dermatologist

724k subs

✓Yay

"If you want a K-beauty swap as a retinoid, try [...] the [Retinal] Shot by Celimax. It's super affordable, with 0.1% retinaldehyde, the same type of retinol that's in the Avène one, plus Matrix 3000, making it a combination peptide and retinoid serum."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

✓Yay

"The Retinal Shot from Celimax, here's why I love this product: it's a stacked retinal product, so it's more effective than retinol. Plus it has peptides, plus it has panthenol to soothe the skin. This is an incredible ingredient for dark spots, texture, tone, anything aging. It's a Korean brand that's been very viral on social media lately, though people are overusing the quantity, when you just need a pea size amount."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for dullness and uneven tone. It breaks down in light and air, so how a product is formulated and packaged matters as much as the percentage on the front.

Source: DermNet

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Celimax Retinal Shot?

A Korean retinoid serum combining 0.1% retinaldehyde with peptides and panthenol, designed to address signs of aging including dark spots and uneven texture.

Is Celimax Retinal Shot worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 83%.

What is Celimax Retinal Shot's Guru Score?

Celimax Retinal Shot holds a Guru Score of 83%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.