VT Reedle Shots Explained: Which One Is Right for Your Skin?

What Are Reedle Shots?

VT Cosmetics’ Reedle Shots are a novel “microneedling-in-a-bottle” (or “microneedling-inspired”) skincare booster. The idea is that they deliver active ingredients more deeply into skin by using micro-spicules (tiny, pointed particles) that physically disrupt the very surface layer of the skin to improve absorption and mildly stimulate renewal. VT markets these under the name Cica Reedle™ (or simply “Reedle”) technology.

You’ll sometimes see them described as “spicule microneedling serum” or “microneedling booster.”

Because they use physical microroughness (spicules) rather than metal needles, they’re gentler than in-office microneedling — though they still produce a tingling or prickly sensation (for many users) as part of the effect.

In effect, Reedle Shots sit somewhere between an exfoliant (mechanical/physical) and a delivery booster — their main goal is to help your subsequent serums and creams penetrate more effectively, while also giving a mild textural refinement effect.

How Do They Work?

Here’s a breakdown of the mechanism and rationale behind these Reedle Shots:

1. Spicules / Micro-spicules: The key ingredient is a micro-sized, pointed particle (often derived from silica or similar material) that lightly abrades or “pricks” the stratum corneum (outermost skin layer). This micro-disruption helps open microchannels or reduce resistance to penetration.

2. Increased absorption: With the barrier slightly loosened, active ingredients (like centella, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, collagen fragments, etc.) can be delivered more deeply or more efficiently. VT claims that the Reedle technology enhances “ingredient absorption, depth, and speed” of delivery.

3. Mild stimulation: The mechanical “pricking” can act as a micro-stimulus, encouraging skin renewal and turnover (in a much gentler way than full microneedling). Many users report a tingling or light prickling sensation when applying.

4. Supporting actives: Beyond the delivery mechanism, each Reedle Shot formula is enriched with soothing, hydrating, or functional actives (e.g. centella asiatica, low molecular weight HA, collagen fragments, milk proteins, etc.) to support barrier health, calming, or targeted effects.

Because the spicules are fairly small, the effect is not as deep or controlled as professional microneedling. Dermatologists have pointed out that such topical spicule serums behave more like a mechanical exfoliant in many respects.

Still, for many users, the balance of mild stimulation + enhanced absorption + convenience is attractive as an at-home booster.

Comparison of Different Reedle Shot Types / Strengths

VT offers a number of Reedle Shot variations, differing in intensity, frequency, and targeted benefits. According to VT’s official site and its retail partners, here are the ones you may come across:

Reedle Shot Strengths

VT Cosmetics’ Reedle Shots come in different strengths — 50, 100, 300, and 700 — which represent the concentration of micro-spicules (the tiny “needles”) in each formula. The higher the number, the stronger the exfoliating and penetration-boosting effect. Reedle Shot 50 is the gentlest version, ideal for sensitive skin or beginners, and can be used daily. Reedle Shot 100 is the standard daily formula for general brightening, hydration, and texture care. Reedle Shot 300 has a higher concentration of spicules, making it more intensive—best used every 3–5 days to target rough texture, pores, or pigmentation. The most potent, Reedle Shot 700, delivers a powerful “at-home treatment” effect similar to a professional micro-stimulation session and should only be used once weekly to avoid irritation. As the number increases, so does both the strength and the need for recovery time between uses.

🛍️ Buy Now: Original Cica Reedle Shot

Reedle Shot Variations & What They Target

Big picture: all Reedle Shots use VT’s micro-spicule (“Cica Reedle”) delivery to gently stimulate skin and boost penetration of actives. Choose your variant by concern, then slot it in as “Step Zero” after cleansing, before serums/moisturizer.

🛍️ Buy Now: Red Booster Reedle Shot — calm & protect (stressed, acne-prone, sun-exposed skin)

Formulated for antioxidant/soothing care to help relieve inflamed, acne-prone, and “sun-stressed” skin while smoothing texture. Think: calm redness, support recovery, refine pores. Use daily or every other day as tolerated.

🛍️Buy Now: Black Truffle Reedle Shot — elasticity & radiance (early aging, dullness, uneven texture)

A premium anti-aging booster with Italian black truffle extract and 24K gold; positioned for elasticity, nourishment, and refined texture/glass-skin look. Use 3–5x/week or daily if your skin tolerates it.

🛍️Buy Now: Collagen Reedle Shot — bounce & cushion (loss of firmness, dryness)

Daily care with collagen/milk protein/Vitamin E to support elasticity and hydration while the Reedle system enhances delivery. Great if your skin feels “deflated.”

🛍️Buy Now: Reti-A Reedle Shot — re-texturizing (roughness, fine lines, pores)

Pairs Reedle tech with retinol + bakuchiol to smooth uneven texture and refine pores—use at night, 2–4x/week to start, then increase as tolerated. Avoid layering with strong acids the same night.

🛍️Buy Now: Vita-Light Reedle Shot — tone & glow (dullness, uneven tone)

Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), Vitamin E and MELAZERO® V2 in a jelly serum with visible vita capsules to brighten, even tone and add luminosity. Use AM/PM (with SPF in AM).

🛍️Buy Now: PDRN Reedle Shot — renewal & resilience (weakened barrier, fine lines)

Combines Reedle with vegan PDRN (from Korean ginseng) to promote glow, elasticity and nourished, refined skin; designed as a fast-absorbing “Step Zero.” Use daily or 3–5x/week.

🛍️Buy Now: Hydrop Reedle Shot — deep hydration (tight, dehydrated skin)

Built around ultra-low molecular weight HA (~300 Da) and HA nano-capsules to saturate parched skin and boost dewiness. Great before humectant serums or a barrier cream.

🛍️Buy Now: Pro-Cica Reedle Shot — sensitive-skin soother (easily irritated, reactive)

A microneedling-style solution tuned for stressed/sensitive skin with VT’s Cica complex to refine texture while keeping things calm. Ideal entry point if you’re worried about irritation.

How to Incorporate Reedle Shots into Your Routine

Because these are essentially “penetration boosters with light mechanical stimulation,” you want to be careful about layering them with other active or irritating ingredients. Here’s a suggested guide for integration:

Suggested Order in Routine

A typical evening routine might look like:

1. Cleanse

2. Reedle Shot (on clean, bare skin)

3. Wait a moment / pat (so it absorbs)

4. Optional: gentle toner / pH balancing mist

5. Follow with your actives / serums / treatments

6. Seal with moisturizer / comforting, barrier-supporting products

VT explicitly states that Reedle Shot 100 should be applied to a “bare face” after cleansing, and after it’s absorbed you follow with your moisturizing or treatment steps.

Because Reedle Shot enhances absorption, it's often used before other serums or actives to help them penetrate better.

Wrap-Up & Caveats

VT’s Reedle Shot line is an interesting and innovative take on “microneedling-inspired” skincare — by using micro-spicules, they aim to bridge the gap between surface treatments and deeper penetration. If used thoughtfully, they can act as powerful absorption boosters while giving some mild texture refinement.

However, they’re not a total substitute for in-office microneedling or professional treatments. Dermatologists caution that topical spicule serums are more akin to mechanical exfoliants and may not provide the same depth or consistency as true microneedling procedures.

If you decide to try them, proceed gradually, monitor your skin, and tailor the frequency and strength to your skin’s tolerance and goals.