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celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster vs Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum

These are two different jobs. The celimax Retinal Shot is an anti-aging booster built on 0.1% retinal, 3% Matrixyl 3000 and 1% panthenol, aimed at firmness and fine lines. The Celimax Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum is a soothing, oil-free hydrating serum for redness, blemishes and sensitivity. Owners rate the Cica serum higher (4.8 from 399 ratings vs 4.3 from 334), and it suits sensitive skin and daily use better. The Retinal Shot is the stronger pick only if your goal is wrinkles and tightening and your skin already tolerates retinoids.

  • Choose the celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster if your main concern is fine lines, firmness and texture and your skin is used to retinoids.
  • Choose the Celimax Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum if you have redness, breakouts or sensitive skin and want a gentle, oil-free serum for day and night.

Prices

  • celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster: $9.00 at eBay (checked today)
  • Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum: $13.50 at eBay (checked today)
  • Difference: the celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster is $4.50 cheaper than the Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum today
celimax
celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster

celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster

4.3(334 ratings)
$9.00at eBayObserved at 7:23 AM
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Pros
  • Real retinal at 0.1% plus 3% Matrixyl 3000 for firmness
  • Fragrance free and odourless
  • Panthenol and vitamin E soften the retinoid edge
  • Targets wrinkles and hyperpigmentation together
Cons
  • Small 15 ml tube with a 6-month PAO
  • Retinal can cause peeling and redness at first
  • Not ideal for very sensitive or reactive skin
  • Lower owner rating than the Cica serum
Celimax
Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum

Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum

4.8(399 ratings)
$13.50at eBayObserved at 7:24 AM
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Pros
  • High 4.8 rating from 399 owners
  • Oil-free and made for sensitive skin
  • Niacinamide plus centella for redness and dark spots
  • 40 ml, used day and night
Cons
  • Not a retinoid, so little firming effect
  • Niacinamide can sting some very reactive skin
  • No anti-wrinkle actives
  • Larger bottle means a longer commitment to one serum

What separates them

celimax Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterCelimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum
Primary jobFirming and anti-wrinkle booster with retinal and peptidesCalming and hydrating serum for redness and blemishes
Key actives0.1% retinal, 3% Matrixyl 3000, 1% panthenol, vitamin ENiacinamide, centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, allantoin, beta-glucan
Size15 ml tube40 ml bottle
Texture and finishGel-cream booster, fragrance freeLight serum, oil-free, no greasy residue
Sensitive skinRetinal can irritate; needs a slow startFormulated for sensitive skin
Use timingBest at night; PAO 6 monthsDay and night
Owner ratings4.3 from 334 ratings4.8 from 399 ratings
Routine roleTreatment step after toner, before moisturizerEveryday serum step after toner

Price history

$19.90$16.20
Nov 2Nov 9
  • celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster: lowest $16.20 on Nov 9 at Luxiface.com.
  • Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum: lowest $19.07 on Nov 2 at Skinseoul; $19.90 on Nov 9.

Prices at every store

celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by celimaxReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $17.00Observed at 7:24 AM
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by misskitty8697 (100% positive, 487 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $9.00+ $5.79 shippingObserved at 7:23 AM
    Visit eBay
  • Luxiface.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $16.20Observed at 12:02 AM
    Visit Luxiface.com
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $18.29Observed at 7:24 AM
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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All 16 stores and price history →

Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum

  • Luxiface.comNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $17.55Observed at 7:24 AM
    Visit Luxiface.com
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by abbeycakesllc (96.9% positive, 281 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $13.50Free shippingObserved at 7:24 AM
    Visit eBay
  • SkinseoulNew

    Availability unknown

    $19.07Observed Nov 2, 2026, 5:03 AM
    Visit Skinseoul
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $19.90Observed at 7:24 AM
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 13 stores and price history →

Specs compared

Speccelimax Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterCelimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum
size10.00040 ml
Skin typeAllAll skin types
TextureLiquidNo greasy residue
Active IngredientsRetinol, Peptide complexSodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, As…
count_per_pack1—
Item volume15 Millilitres—
Item weight15 Grams—
Item formGel—
ScentOdourless—
Retinal concentration0.1%—
Panthenol concentration1%—
Matrixyl 3000 concentration3%—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
Speccelimax Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterCelimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum
A-Shot count20,250 A-Shot™—
Made inSouth Korea—
Fragrance FreeYes—
Weight (oz)0.5—
ContentRetinol, Peptides, Retinal, Vitamin E—
PackagingTube—
Skin ConcernWrinkles, Hyperpigmentation—
No. of Pieces (pcs)1—
Volume (fl oz)0.5—
Gender

What reviewers say

celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster

  • 4.3 / 5334 ratings

Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 334 ratings, buyers mostly report smoother texture and firmer-feeling skin after several weeks. Complaints center on the small bottle and on irritation when it is used too often or without moisturizer.

What people mention
  • TexturePraisedUsers say the gel sinks in fast and does not leave a heavy film.
  • FirmnessPraisedMany report tighter, smoother skin after a few weeks of use.
  • IrritationMixedSome get redness and flaking early on, while others tolerate it well.
  • Bottle sizeCriticisedBuyers find 15 ml small and say it runs out fast with nightly use.

Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum

  • 4.8 / 5399 ratings

With 4.8 out of 5 from 399 ratings, buyers mostly report that the serum calms redness and absorbs quickly without stickiness. Complaints are few and tend to focus on the small bottle and on niacinamide sensitivity.

What people mention
  • CalmingPraisedBuyers say it reduces redness and soothes active breakouts.
  • TexturePraisedIt is described as watery and fast-absorbing with no sticky or greasy finish.
  • HydrationPraisedUsers find it adds light moisture without clogging pores.
  • Bottle sizeCriticised

Questions and answers

Which is better for fine lines and firmness?
The Retinal Shot. Retinal and Matrixyl 3000 are the firming actives here; the Cica serum has none.
Which suits sensitive or acne-prone skin?
The Cica Niacinamide serum. It is oil-free, built around centella and allantoin, and rated higher by owners. Retinal often causes irritation on reactive skin.
Can I use both?
Yes, but not in the same step. Use the Cica serum in the morning and the Retinal Shot at night, and start the retinal two or three nights a week.
Which lasts longer?
The Cica serum, at 40 ml against 15 ml. The Retinal Shot also has a 6-month period after opening, so a little goes a long way.
Is the Retinal Shot worth stepping up to?
Only if wrinkles and firmness are your priority and your skin handles retinoids. For redness, breakouts or daily hydration, the Cica serum does more.

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  • Celimax The Real Cica Niacinamide AC Calming Serum vs Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best Celimax Korean skincare products
Female
—
Main PurposeTightening—
Period After Opening (PAO)6M—
IngredientsGlycerin—
Volume0.5 fl oz—
FormulationCream—
Body AreaEyes, Face—
Body Part—Face
Form—Serum
Key Ingredient—Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyalurona…
Skin Concerns—AC
Acne Treatment Type—AC
Subtype—Hydrating serum
Type—Serum
Face Treatment Type—Serum
Contains—Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyalurona…
Free Of—Oil-free
For Babies—No
For Kids—No
Some owners say 40 ml empties fast when used morning and night.