celimax RETINAL SHOT for dry sensitive skin
Retinal
Panthenol
Matrixyl 3000Caution
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for dry sensitive skin; the serums alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers some skincare benefits for your dry or flaky skin due to Panthenol and Matrixyl 3000, but the presence of Retinal poses major risks of worsening your dry and sensitive skin.
- Panthenol offers humectant action for moderate suitability for dry skin, but the formula lacks sufficient emollient ingredients to fully address dryness.
How to apply
- Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
- Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this booster treatment is highly praised for its ability to rapidly smooth skin texture and refine pores. Users frequently report a 'glass skin' effect and improved makeup application. The unique tingling sensation from the spicules and the small tube size are common points of discussion.
Highlights
Smoother Skin Texture Mostly Mentioned
- “glass-like smoothness”
- “refined pores”
- “softened roughness”
Visible Firming & Anti-Aging Often Mentioned
- “plumper skin”
- “faded fine lines”
- “improved elasticity”
Prickly/Tingling Sensation Often Mentioned
- “stinging”
- “zap-like”
- “prickly”
Small Quantity Often Mentioned
- “tiny”
- “finishes too fast”
- “expensive per ml”
Better Makeup Application Sometimes Noted
- “foundation sits better”
- “creases less”
- “looks flawless”
Fast Absorption Sometimes Noted
- “lightweight”
- “non-greasy”
- “melts instantly”
Initial Irritation Sometimes Noted
- “redness”
- “dry patches”
- “mild purging”
Yellow Residue Rarely Noted
- “slight yellow tint”
- “stains pillowcases”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, celimax.us, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with the celimax Retinal Shot for dry sensitive skin?
Lovi advises caution because Retinal poses major risks of worsening your dry and sensitive skin. While Panthenol and Matrixyl 3000 offer some benefits, the formula lacks enough ingredients that soften and lock in moisture to properly care for dry skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Which ingredients make this treatment a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?
Retinal makes this treatment a poor fit for dry sensitive skin because it poses major risks of worsening dryness and irritation. A product for this skin needs rich moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and nourishing components that provide deep hydration and skin barrier support without irritation.
What does Retinal do for dry sensitive skin?
Retinal may help smooth fine lines and improve skin texture, but for dry and sensitive skin it is unlikely to be a good fit on its own. This skin type needs products that include gentle hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier.
What does Panthenol do for dry sensitive skin?
Panthenol helps soothe dry sensitive skin by calming redness and keeping it deeply hydrated. It improves moisture retention and supports skin barrier recovery, making irritated skin feel much more comfortable and soft.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer, though it poses major risks of worsening dry and sensitive skin. To safely address this skin type, products need soothing hydrators like panthenol alongside rich, softening ingredients that lock in moisture and prevent irritation.
Can I use this treatment with vitamin C, and in what order?
You should use caution combining this treatment with vitamin C on dry and sensitive skin, as it may easily cause irritation and worsen dryness. When using both, apply vitamin C in the morning and this treatment at night, making sure to follow with a rich moisturizer that provides heavy softening ingredients to protect your skin barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
How often should I use this treatment?
This treatment is a poor match and poses major risks of worsening your dry and sensitive skin. When used on this skin, a product of this type needs rich moisturizing and softening ingredients to prevent irritation and fully address dryness.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores, but the Retinal in it may cause purging or initial irritation on dry sensitive skin. A product of this type needs rich emollient ingredients and soothing agents like Panthenol to keep dry skin comfortable and calm.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
What the research says
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Twice daily application of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams for 3 months improved skin texture and hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 40 female Korean volunteers, with only the 0.1% cream significantly improving the melanin index.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018Topical retinaldehyde demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, leading to decreased bacterial counts without inducing resistance.
Dermatology, 2002Topical 0.05% retinaldehyde applied over 1 year significantly increased epidermal thickness of the temple and cutaneous elasticity compared to an emollient control group in 40 aging skin patients.
Dermatology, 1999Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Ingredients
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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