Wondering what in the world a cica balm is? We’ve got all the details about it for you here!
Cicapair and Cica balm are two terms have been popping up like crazy lately in the skin care world. But do you actually know what they mean?
These trendy products contain a blend of compounds found in the medicinal herb Centella Asiatica. They claim to fight acne and soothe redness and inflammation, making them the perfect product for those with sensitive skin.
What is cica balm?
Cica balm is actually a moisturizer-like product that contains centella asiatica and its more concentrated compounds—asiatic acid, madecassic acid, madecassoside and asiaticoside. Centella Asiatica (AKA Gotu Kola or Tiger grass) has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb that helps to soothe and repair the skin.
Numerous studies have shown that when applied topically, Centella and its compounds help to increase the healing of burns and wounds by reducing redness and inflammation, as well as increasing collagen production.
What makes cica balm so special is that it uses these different extracts from centella to create a highly concentrated treatment that helps to heal skin quickly and effectively, making it perfect for those with inflamed acne or highly sensitive and reactive skin. I particularly think it would also work well if you have a damaged moisture barrier since the centella extracts will help to repair and reduce inflammation while also deeply hydrating your skin.
Product recommendations:
Despite the similar names of cica balms, not all the ingredients are the same. The Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream, for example, contains all four compounds of centella, the asiatic acid, madecassic acid, madecassoside and asiaticoside. Along with this centella complex, it contains niacinamide to brighten, panthenol to moisturize, and resurrection plant, houttuynia cordata, and yarrow to enhance and reinforce the skin’s barrier. This balm has a thick, emollient-rich texture, making it perfect for those with drier skin, especially with the dropping temperatures fall and winter bring.
The A’Pieu Madecassoside Cream is another great choice if you’re looking to try out a concentrated cica balm. This one contains 0.1% of madecasside along with 40% centella asiatica leaf water, which work in tandem to treat and soothe acne by speeding up the healing process. It’s also formulated with antioxidant-rich green tea extract, allantoin, and witch hazel to balance the skin. This has a much thinner formula, which would work well for normal to oily skin types.
If balms aren’t your thing, don’t feel like you can’t get in on the cica action. You can also get concentrated centella formulations from a variety of different products. The Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream is an excellent treatment that uses centella and guaiazulene extract to hydrate skin and help relieve irritation and redness. The same goes for the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum, which contains centella extract, licorice root, and a slew of calming plant extracts to brighten and soothe the skin. If you’re looking to incorporate cica throughout your skin care routine, the Dewytree Cica 100 Essence and the Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad are great choices as they both work to calm acne, helping blemishes to heal and disappear faster.
Bottom line:
If you suffer from sensitive, acne-prone skin it may be time for you to invest in a cica balm. Not only are they effective at soothing the skin but they also help your acne to heal quicker. What more could you ask for?
