Learn more about the superstar K-beauty ingredient and brands that can soothe the skin and reveal a true glow.
Related: Get That Korean, Glass-Skin Look With These Local Beauty Brands
With the oversaturation of skincare products in the beauty market, it could be difficult for people, specifically those with sensitive skin, to navigate their way through it all. But if there’s one beauty tip that will always hold true is that ingredients never lie. If you’ve been obsessed with K-beauty skincare and how it focuses on giving the skin a glass finish, you’ll probably notice that an ingredient commonly found in their products is “Cica”. Its scientific name: Centella Asiatica has been used for centuries to treat wounds. A fun fact is that tigers rub their wounds on the Asian leafy green herb to help heal their wounds—hence its other well-known nickname, tiger grass.
When used in skincare, cica is proven to restore skin compromised by redness and sensitivity since it’s packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This makes it great for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and scarring.
Here are three brands to try out and experience the wonders of Cica:
DR. JART +: CICAREPAIR COLLECTION
International skincare brand, Dr. Jart+ garnered a fanatical following after launching their original Cicapair™ collection. Top beauty influencers would share online how the products would instantly neutralize redness and leave behind an even-toned complexion. The line consists of 8 products but some of their best-sellers are the Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 35 and Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Cream, a sunscreen and moisturizer respectively that cancels out redness and repairs dry skin caused by external stressors.
Dr. Jart is available online via sephora.ph
SKINRX LAB: MADECERA RE-TURN LINE
This trusted beauty brand from Korea has finally arrived in the Philippines. If you’re not a fan of the 10-step Korean skincare routine, SkinRx Lab is known for providing a no-frills beauty routine while still providing the same glowing results. The brand is also made by a team of expert dermatologists so that each product is multifunctional but effective.
One of their main lines in the “Re-Turn” which focuses on nourishing tired skin and returning its healthy glow. Its star ingredient is MadeCera, an ingredient composed of the ideal ratio of madecassoside and ceramide. Madecassoside is an inflammation-fighting compound that calms sensitive skin and natural-fermented ceramide that strengthens the skin barrier against damage with better penetration. My personal favorite and popular product with over 1.5 million sales globally is their MadeCera Cream. Aside from being housed inside a pretty pink tube, it’s one of the most hydrating, non-greasy lotions I’ve used. Alongside cica, it also has niacinamide which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. I also use it alongside their Mild Whipped Cleanser, that’s perfect for deep cleaning. Together, they bring out a luminous and healthy glow.
Skin RX Lab PH is available online via Lazada and Shopee. For more updates, follow them on Instagram.
HAPPY SKIN: CALMING AND SOOTHING SERIES
Powered by 5-Cica Complex, a combination of five kinds of Centella Asiatica, the new skincare line from Happy Skin can help you look easily fresh everyday. It includes an Overnight Calming Cream which is great for skin that tends to be exposed to environmental stressors or experience breakouts. It’s made with calendula, niacinamide, and hexanediol, which is known to boost the antimicrobial properties of other skincare ingredients. Plus, despite being an overnight cream it doesn’t feel heavy or leaves a film-like texture on the face. They also have Calming Glow Drops that provide essential sun protection with SPF 35 while hydrating and correcting redness with the use of hyaluronic acid and cica for a naturally radiant look.
Happy Skin is available online via their official website, Lazada, Shopee, Zalora and BeautyMNL.
