Dr.Jart+ is a cult K-beauty brand, and Cicapair line got the hearts of many customers all around the world. The secret of Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream is Centella Asiatica - a herb with magic properties that speed up the healing process. Is Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream the only moisturizer you need in your skincare?
History Of Dr Jart+
Dr.Jart+ is a South Korean brand that doesn't need an introduction. Dr.Jart+ is always evolving: new lines, formulas and packaging. For example, Ceramidin looks way different than it used to. There are new series called Peptidin and Teatreetment. Sadly, the second one is available only in South Korea. But the most significant thing is how enormous Dr.Jart+ became. I feel like there's no country where you can't buy Dr. Jart+ products. Dr.Jart+ is quite a young brand. The first products got released in the year 2005. According to the Dr.Jart+ website, the brand is a collaboration between dermatologist Dr. Sung Jae Jung and architect Chin Wook Lee. If you think that dermatology and architecture don't go well together, then you're wrong! If you ever check photos or videos of Dr.Jart+ flagship stores, you'll be surprised how valuable is interior design for marketing purposes. The beauty industry is not only about technology, ingredients, policy (animal testing, supporting campaigns that have meaning for the society, etc.) or transparent marketing. Nowadays, clients look at packaging design, Instagram profiles full of photos and videos, and the one unusual element - interior design.
Cicapair series
There are differences between Cicapair series depends on your location. Let's start with the complete range which you can find in South Korea. You shouldn't expect any cleansing products from Cicapair line since Dr.Jart+ has a separate cleansing line called Dermaclear. Cicapair line contains Toner, Calming Mist, Serum, Cream, Gel Cream, Sheet Mask, a product called Sleepair Ampoule-in Mask, Correcting Treatment in a cream called Recover and Cushion. What's different for the US and Europe? Not all the products are available for these two markets. In the US stores, you can buy Calming Mist, Serum, Cream, Gel Cream and Tiger Grass Correcting Treatment in cream. There's also a liquid version of the treatment called Camo Drops and a night mask. Europe has the same line as the US, but the release of products takes more time. There's no Calming Mist in Europe, and instead of a Night Mask, you'll find a Sheet Mask. Dr.Jart+ uses a few technologies which we have to meet before we start our journey with Cicapair Gel Cream.
Centella RX
One of the solutions used by Dr.Jart+ is the use of Centella Rx. The blend of Centella Asiatica, Houttuynia Cordata, Achillea Millefolium Oil and Ilex Aquifolium should soothe your skin.
Cicabond
Cicabond is a soothing and repairing composition made out of Arabinogalactan (derived from Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract), Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Sulfate.
Jartbiome
The name of the next ingredient is unique. Just mix Dr.Jart+ and Microbiome, and you've got the name of new Dr.Jart+ patent. Four different fermented ingredients make Jartbiome. This solution should make your skin more powerful.
Why Centella?
The growth of K-beauty in Wester countries gave us many new ingredients and solutions for skin problems. One of them is Centella Asiatica. Gotu Kola, Tiger Grass, Asiatic Pennywort or just Centella. It has many different names, but the purpose is the same. The plant comes from Ayurveda, which is one of the oldest traditional medicine systems. When we think about it, we automatically think about India. Centella is a multi-tool in skincare products, but it's not a new substance. Gotu Kola is used for ages to cure skin conditions such as inflammation, eczema and wounds. It's a source of other ingredients such as Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside. It's an anti-inflammatory ingredient which can help speed up the healing process of your skin. That's why even acne-prone skin likes it.
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream - Packaging
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream comes in two boxes that stick to aesthetic to the band and Cicapair series - white, green and pink. I always wonder why this brand goes for pink in this product. It's a plastic tube which is wholly different from the cream version of Cicapair line.
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream - Texture & Scent
It has a herbal scent which is hard to compare to anything else. I would say that you can smell Lavender Oil in this product just like in Serum. It's a lightweight moisturizer, ideal for oily skin.
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream - Ingredients
Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Cetearyl Olivate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Achillea Millefolium Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Adenosine, DNA, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Panthenol, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Madecassoside, Calcium Chloride, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Magnesium Sulfate, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract
Water is an ingredient which you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent.
Butylene Glycol is a moisturizer and solvent, but it's also alcohol. You see, not every alcohol in skincare is terrible. Some of them have positive effects on your skin - just like Butylene Glycol, which is a popular substance even in eco/green cosmetic products. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient which we want to see in formulas. Niacinamide is a miracle ingredient. It does lots of great work. Do you have problems with dark spots? Try Niacinamide! Acne? Niacinamide will be an ideal pick for you too! Maybe you've got issues with skin barrier? Solve it with Niacinamide! Wrinkles? You might want to try Niacinamide as well. Sensitive skin might find Niacinamide bit problematic when it's mixed with Vitamin C or used in the same routine as Vitamin C. I can't deny Niacinamide is a skincare treasure! Caprylyl Methicone is an emollient and a volatile silicone. Silicones are excellent for the skin since they work as occlusives - what they do is protect the skin from dehydration. Volatile silicones are evaporating from the skin they won't get absorbed by the skin, that's why you shouldn't be scared. If you're afraid that your skin might not stand them, then the good news is that the chance of getting allergic reactions to silicones is ultra-tiny! Still, every skin reacts differently that's why it's better to test on your own what ingredient works better for you and then decide if you want it in your makeup (or skincare) or not. Pentylene Glycol is a humectant with antimicrobial properties. 1,2-Hexanediol is everywhere, and it's not a surprise. Even if it's a solvent, it's also a moisturizer.
Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate or Sea Holly, people believe that this plant can have anti-aging and moisturizing properties. Houttuynia Cordata Extract is an ingredient which some people with acne-prone skin loves while for me, my experience was not bad but still all hail Centella! Houttuynia Cordata is a plant, which we still use in Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine, it's also known as Heart Leaf or Chinese lizard tail. Funny fact about Houttuynia - it's also called Fish Wort, Fish Leaf, etc. because it's an edible plant and it usually leaves the fishy aftertaste. I eat fish a lot, but I'm not a fan of the fishy taste of low-quality matcha (yep, I'm a tea & fish snob) so I don't think I would enjoy it, I'll stay with enjoying Houttuynia magic in skincare. Houttuynia is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Hydrogenated Polydecene or Alphaflow, it's an emollient, and it's excellent for sensitive skin. Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate are nothing else than Olivem 1000. It's a natural emulsifier. Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a powder that absorbs sebum. You can usually find it in makeup for its flawless finishing. The next ingredient on the list is quite typical for Cicapair series. Even Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Serum has it but in the form of an extract. Achillea Millefolium Oil or Yarrow Oil is a plant which many people use every single day since it can be soothing. Carbomer is a thickener and stabilizer. You can often see it in gel formulas. Tromethamine helps with the pH, to make sure your product has an ideal pH. You probably know Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract as Neem. It's a plant typical for India, Sri Lanka or Pakistan. Neem comes from Ayurveda, and it's told to have antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. We use Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract for pigment. Adenosine is another elegant ingredient. It speeds up the healing process and repairs the skin barrier. It's ideal for inflamed skin, and it might have a positive effect on skin elasticity.
DNA sounds similar - and nope, it's not about BTS song, but the DNA which you probably know from biology classes - Deoxyribonucleic Acid. In skin care, we are talking about DNA as a "skin conditioning agent". I don't want to have a biology or physiology lecture right now. The topic of DNA and beauty is fascinating, and one day I might create a post about it with a bit deeper research, in few words - UV radiation, environment and few other things have a negative meaning for our DNA. You probably know that ultraviolet radiation (UVA & UVB) is responsible for (free) radicals which is a reason for early skin ageing, that's why we need sun protection. The question is: how is it possible for them to speed up ageing process? To make it simple - radicals are destroying bonds in DNA, even if there are enzymes that "recovers" the bonds by sticking together these bonds, it has its price. To sum up, nature is incredible, radicals not really, but does Deoxyribonucleic Acid in skincare work? I would not expect miracles, but who knows. Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil is an essential oil, and even if it has calming and relaxing effects, it has a non-positive side. Some people are allergic to essential oils. Disodium EDTA is a synthetic stabilizer and preservative. It helps with the viscosity of the product. Silica is a thickener with magical properties for acne-prone and oily skin. It absorbs sebum, but at the same time, it can reflect the light to make your skin looking healthy. Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract or Ivy Gourd is a natural pigment. Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil is an essential oil. It's a phototoxic substance that's why you shouldn't use it if you plan to sunbathe. I would recommend being careful with this substance during the summer. It might have a pleasant scent, but some people are allergic to it, and if you're pregnant - it's good to avoid it.
Let me tell you something, the next ingredient we are about to see is a form of my least favourite ingredient or even my enemy. Lupine is the worst thing ever for me, that's why if you're allergic to gluten - be careful with Lupine in your food because you might end up with few more allergies like legumes and nuts (due to cross-reaction). Lupinus Albus Seed Extract is more positive in skincare since people believe it can work as botox, but don't expect impossible - it's still a natural plant extract.
Panthenol is nothing else than Pro-vitamin B5, a soothing moisturizer with positive meaning to the skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract has antibacterial properties. Turmeric in products for acne skin is not a surprise for me, but what does Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract do in other products? Turmeric has wide use in traditional medicine - not only Ayurveda but Chinese Traditional Medicine. It's an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, that's why it works so good on acne. It might help with pigmentation, but if you have post-acne inflammation, then using soothing ingredients and substances that speed up wound healing helps with redness left after acne. Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract aka Holy Basil is a source of eugenol, linalool, rosmarinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid and more. It's another ingredient used in traditional medicine. In skincare products, Holy Basil has anti-inflammatory effects. Algae in the beauty industry exist in many different forms. Corallina Officinalis Extract is an antioxidant and colourant.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is an emollient. Madecassoside is an active compound of K-beauty famous Centella Asiatica. It is not a surprise why Madecassoside, as well as Gotu Kola, are so common in skincare - they have wound healing properties. The boosts healing process which makes them ideal for acne-prone, sensitive or inflamed skin. Madecassoside is an antioxidant which you have to try! Asiaticoside has its roots in Centella Asiatica. It's one of the triterpenoid saponins, that support wound healing. Asiatic Acid derives from Centella too, and it has the same properties. Magnesium Sulfate or Epsom Salt is an ingredient with a history. The name Epsom Salt comes from city Epsom in England, but you can call it bath salt as well. It works as a stabilizer. Madecassic Acid is an active compound of Centella Asiatica - a famous K-beauty ingredient. Even if Madecassic Acid is not as popular as Madecassoside, it's still a great healing ingredient. Centella Asiatica Extract is an ingredient that stays in skincare trend. Lots of ingredients used in skincare have a long history of use in medicine. This ingredient isn't different because Centella is a part of Ayurveda, a traditional (or if you prefer - alternative) medicine used by people for ages. Nowadays we associate it with India. Centella is a herb primarily applied in skincare for its healing properties. It speeds up the healing process, and that's why acne-prone skin loves it. If you're pregnant or you plan pregnancy, then try to find body care products with Centella Asiatica because it can have a valuable meaning on skin elasticity as well as stretch marks.
How does Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream work?
Cicapair series is one of two most popular Dr. Jart+ skincare series, the main target of it are people with sensitive skin, but also acne-prone skin. It has sense since acne-prone skin goes through a lot - retinoid treatments that can cause dry and sensitive skin that needs a bit of support during the recovery. There are a few things that I don't like about this cream, but let me tell you a bit about how I was testing it. I ended the first tube of Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream, and is this my last tube or not? For a while, I won't repurchase it - unless I find it at a good price, but I'll share with you comparison post with Cream version and few other cica creams. Instagram loves to hide my account and now even instastories, so if you follow me there then you probably don't know that I'm on Aklief treatment, which is a 4th gen retinoid. Call me a bad esthie, because I don't remember the name of this substance - my brain just can't process more information lately. I started to use Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream before treatment, but once I started the treatment I was using it for 2 weeks od the treatment or even less.
At first Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream seemed to be ideal, maybe the scent was a little bit too much even if I'm a fan of herbs - hopefully, it goes away quickly. It's a nice, lightweight moisturizer which in my opinion fits oily skin during the summer well. It goes well with makeup - spoiler alert: regular Cicapair Cream doesn't go well with foundation - so what else do you need? I'll tell you what - lack of essential oils because once you start retinol treatments your skin will get sensitive, and believe me every use of this cream during Aklief treatment was pure pain and suffering. Essential oils can be good for oily skin like rosemary oil or tea tree oil, but allergies are common in our society - we are living fast lives, our environment is full of pollution, and so our immunity system is challenged. Essential oils can be dangerous if you're allergic to them. Normally, I would enjoy it, but since my skin acts differently now, and sadly for me - sensitivity to essential oils and citric acid might stay with me for a while. Still, I believe that for some people Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream will be a great choice.
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream - Price & Where to buy it?
You will probably find Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream at local Sephora, but the price is different to what you can find if you order products from South Korea, for example on Jolse Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream costs $29.75 for 80 ml, on Stylekorean Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream costs $24.50 and on Yesstyle - $30.31. If you need a comparison then Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream costs $48 at US Sephora.
OTHER CICAPAIR PRODUCTS
I made few reviews in the past of Cicapair products which you might want to check:
To sum up, Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream is way different from his older sibling, but it might find lots of fans.
Have you ever tried Dr.Jart+ before?
Post a Comment