Cica: The Miracle Ingredient in Korean Skincare

Centella asiatica, also known as "cica", "tiger grass" and "the herb of longevity", is a herb that grows in tropical regions. Cica is pretty much a staple in the formulae of many K-beauty products recently, quickly gaining popularity as a favourite Korean skincare ingredient. But what's the secret behind this fabled herb? Keep reading to uncover the skincare benefits of cica and a series of cica product recs handpicked by Pretties HK.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ① VT Pro Cica Reedle Shot 100

The viral Reedle Shot often found sold out at Olive Young stores in South Korea, with accumulative sales having surpassed 3.3 million units! The high cica content and rich array of skin soothers in this cica version of the Reedle Shot help to moisturise while delivering powerful calming effects for compromised and irritated skin, boasting excellent anti-inflammatory and repairing effects. Having completed skin irritation test and been certified as hypoallergenic, it's a Reedle Shot safe even on sensitive skin.

The Reedle Shot comes in varying levels of intensity, from 50 to 1000, and with different functional ingredients like collagen, vitamin C and hydrating hyaluronic acid, to suit different needs and conditions.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ② MIXSOON Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence

This cica serum features a minimalistic formula of 100% cica extract, with no other potentially irritating unnecessary ingredients, nourishing irritated skin with just one core ingredient. It doesn’t just temporarily relieve redness – expect visible and lasting change to your skin over time as you stick with this serum.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ③ Farmstay Cica Farm Recovery Ampoule

High-concentration centella asiatica essence with a refreshing texture. Calms and soothes sensitive skin, hydrates and strengthens your protective barrier, and helps restore elasticity to prevent skin aging.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ④ PURITO Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented

This unscented cica serum is imbued with cica ingredients extracted at low temperatures to preserve as much active ingredients as possible. Working in tandem with nano-ized cica derivatives and TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica, enriched with 4 types of Centella actives), it instantly soothes, reduces redness and enhances the skin's resistance to external stimuli.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ⑤ Jumiso Super Soothing Cica & Aloe Facial Serum

In addition to soothing with cica extract, this serum also fully hydrates each layer of your skin with 7 kinds of hyaluronic acids and 17 kinds of amino acids, helping to repair damaged barriers and improve tired and fragile skin.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ⑥ celimax Jiwoogae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad

A toner pad for sensitive acne-prone skin enriched with a patented concoction of 7 botanicals to effectively cleanse skin waste and residual impurities, prevent clogged pores from worsening skin problems, and tighten pores. Skin irritation test completed so that sensitive skin types can use it with confidence.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ⑦ VT Cica Mild Toner Pad

This double-sided toner cares for your skin with cica extract, BHA and 3 kinds of hyaluronic acids. The embossed side can be used for double cleansing, gently exfoliating and removing extra sebum with BHA ingredients, whereas the smooth side can be used as a toner pack to calm, hydrate and relieve redness.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ⑧ SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad

Each piece of cotton pad is soaked with 10 EWG Green Grade soothing ingredients. The triple-layered embossed design holds more essence than your average toner pad, providing optimum comfort and calming effects for your skin in just 3 to 5 minutes.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ⑨ Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask

Rich in cica and hyaluronic acid, this mask holds intensive moisturising abilities and calms sensitivity, redness and other signs of instability, restoring health and nourishment to compromised skin.

Cica Skincare Recommendation ⑩ Abib Gummy Sheet Mask - Madecassoside Sticker

Each sheet of the Abib madecassoside gummy sheet mask is enhanced with a whole bottle of serum's worth of essence, while the unique gummy-like texture hugs the curves of your face comfortably. It hydrates and calms your skin, soothing in as little as 10 minutes thanks to cica ingredients.