We can thank our beauty-obsessed Korean friends for introducing us to countless skincare ingredients (snail slime!), products (cushion compacts!) and additional steps (essences!) we didn’t know we needed—and cica cream is one of them. When you see “cica” on a label, this is short for a specific herbal active ingredient called centella asiatica, which has long been used in Eastern traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Rich in antioxidants, amino acids and fatty acids that provide anti-aging effects as well as a major helping hand for acne as well as dry and sensitive skin, everyone needs a cica cream in their skincare stash.
IOPE Derma Gentle Cica Cream
Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, this intensive cica cream treatment features madecassoside (a molecule derived from centella asiatica), panthenol and cypress tree extract to soothe and smooth rough, damaged skin and reinforce the skin’s barrier to improve dryness. Effective yet mild making it ideal for all skin types, this formula is free of 10 common questionable ingredients (such as parabens, artificial colors, fragrance, mineral oil, silicones and more). It’s also been tested and proven to be safe for sensitive, reactive and allergy-prone skin, as well as being non-irritating on the eyes.
Bioderma Cicabio Crème
Dry, irritated, post-procedure and otherwise off-kilter skin can benefit from this French-pharmacy favorite brand’s soothing, reparative cica cream. In addition to centella asiatica-derived madecassic and asiatic acid extracts, this comforting treatment also contains antibacterial copper and zinc as well as Antalgicine to reduce itching and discomfort—plus hyaluronic acid and other moisturizing ingredients that create a breathable barrier on the skin to help protect against further irritation.
Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Centella Cica Cream
Designed to repair and protect the skin’s barrier—and provide long-lasting hydration—this facial cica cream moisturizer can improve redness and the look of fine lines due to dry skin within three days. Formulated with panthenol (vitamin B3) and madecassoside sourced from Madagascar, it’s fragrance-free, alcohol-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and basically a must for sensitive and compromised skin.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm
If winter has your skin in a tizzy and it just can’t hang on until spring, consider this balm your skincare savior. Perfect for use on dry, irritated skin from head to toe, it’s as rich as rich could be without leaving a greasy residue. Free of parabens, fragrance and anything else that might aggravate sensitive skin, the matte-finish cica cream formula also features shea butter, glycerin, panthenol and La Roche-Posay’s soothing thermal spring water to restore moisture and skin comfort for everyone in the family (as long as they’re over one week old).
Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
This one product serves up the skin-soothing benefits of centella asiatica along with redness-alleviating color-correction thanks to a subtle green hue that instantly neutralizes the appearance of blemishes—and that’s just the beginning. You also get SPF 30 and a physical barrier that protects your skin from dust and other environmental pollution, plus plenty of skin-friendly ingredients that balance moisture levels and breathe new life into fatigued skin—without parabens, sulfates or phthalates.
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