Mary & May vs VT Cosmetics — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Reedle Shot 100
9/10 · VT Cosmetics
| Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum | Reedle Shot 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Mary & May | VT Cosmetics |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8.2/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Lightweight serum | Thick, almost gritty serum with fine microneedle spicules you can feel on application |
| Finish | Absorbed smooth | smooth, slightly tingling, refreshed |
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| Verdict | Idebenone is a synthetic CoQ10 analog — a more photostable, more bioavailable version of ubiquinone that's used as a topical antioxidant in dermatology. Mary & May pairs it with blackberry (a legitimate polyphenol-rich fruit extract) and niacinamide for a budget antioxidant-forward anti-aging serum. Not SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic money, but a respectable introductory antioxidant serum. | At-home microneedling in a bottle. The spicules are made from freshwater sponges and feel like tiny prickles as you massage them in — the sensation is alarming the first time but completely normal. Over 4-8 weeks, it genuinely improves texture, reduces pore visibility, and smooths scarring. Start with the 100 concentration before graduating to 300 or 700. |
