celimax RETINAL SHOT for oily skin
Retinal
Panthenol
Matrixyl 3000Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 moderate anti-aging benefits for your oily skin, as retinal and Matrixyl 3000 work to minimize fine lines and wrinkles by regulating desquamation and supporting collagen production. Panthenol further aids in hydration and barrier repair, complementing the retinal's action.
- While the ingredients provide general skincare benefits, they are not specifically targeted to address oily shine, offering supportive rather than primary effects for this concern.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
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
How well does celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster work for oily skin?
celimax RETINAL SHOT works moderately well for oily skin by offering anti-aging benefits and hydration, though it does not specifically target oily shine. A treatment for this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and pores, along with soothing extracts and lightweight hydrators.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Retinal, Matrixyl 3000, and panthenol make this serum a good fit for oily skin by offering moderate anti-aging benefits, supporting collagen, and aiding hydration without irritation. To better fit oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide or ferulic acid that control sebum production and manage excess oil.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
What does Retinal do for oily skin?
Retinal helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and clearing clogged pores when used daily. This ingredient is well-suited for managing breakouts while keeping skin smooth and calm.
What does Panthenol do for oily skin?
Panthenol helps balance oily skin by regulating sebum while keeping it hydrated and calm. It also improves skin comfort and reduces redness with excellent suitability for sensitive skin types.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before your moisturizer. It works well for your oily skin without causing irritation, though a product specifically targeting oily shine may suit this skin better.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment at night, as using both at the same time may cause irritation. This approach allows you to get the benefits of both ingredients safely while keeping your skin calm.
How often should I use this serum?
Apply this treatment in your evening routine, using it once a week at first and carefully building up frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Retinal helps smooth fine lines while panthenol and Matrixyl 3000 support hydration and collagen, though this oily skin type also needs ingredients that specifically target oily shine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause harsh irritation or breakouts on oily skin, as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients. However, because it encourages faster skin renewal, you may notice some initial flaking or tingling as your skin adjusts. Oily skin often benefits from products that specifically target excess shine and regulate oil production alongside anti-aging care.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
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 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, 2015A 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, 2025Twice 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, 1999Topical 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, 2002Moisturizer 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, 2000Chronomodulated 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
Why other serums fit oily skin better
Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.