I’ve been quite fascinated by Centella Asiatica and wondered how my dry and sensitive skin will benefit from it. But I didn’t want my first foray into it to be a splurge. So it’s great that I found the Face Republic Cica Gel Moisturizer (P360). It’s a bit pricier than what some Filipino beauty brands offer but it’s definitely on the more affordable side when it comes to K-beauty. It’s also the least expensive Cica-infused product I’ve seen so far. But does it really work? Find out more in this review.
Packaging
The Face Republic Cica Gel Moisturizer comes in a tube with a white body and a green cap. It has a no-frills, almost clinical design that fans of minimalist design (like me) would find pleasing. I prefer moisturizers that are in tubes or pump bottles because I find them more sanitary than those in jars, so this definitely is great in my book.
Texture, color, scent
The moisturizer has a white gel-like texture but it’s unlike other gel products I’ve tried in the past. It’s a bit thicker than the Celeteque Hydration Facial Moisturizer and it’s a bit closer in texture to the iWhite Pro Niacin Moisturizer but has a heavier consistency (if you want a comparison, it’s a bit like paste minus the stickiness).
However, it gets absorbed into the skin pretty quickly. Massaging it on feels soothing too. You get a whiff of something botanical while you’re at it, which I think adds to the experience. (That may be a downside, though, if you don’t like things that smell like plants.)
Claims
It’s a daily moisturizer that promises to soothe the skin while giving it the moisture it needs. It also claims to be good at repairing damaged skin and keeping the skin’s oil and water balance. It’s said to be perfect for those with acne-prone skin.
Face Republic Cica Gel Moisturizer ingredients
If you’re a bit of an ingredient nerd (high five!), here’s what comes in every tube of this moisturizer.
Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Allantoin, Betaine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pantolactone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate, Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan, Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol
Results and final thoughts
I’ve been using the Face Republic Cica Gel Moisturizer for a month now, and I really like it. This did not pose any kind of problem on my dry sensitive skin and it also moisturized it really well. I enjoy applying it day and night because its texture is quite soothing on the skin.
When I apply it in the morning, it keeps my skin hydrated till I’m ready for my nighttime routine — thanks, glycerin, betaine, and more.
I haven’t had a major breakout this year, including the time I was testing this out, so I can’t really say much about its soothing properties for acne-ridden skin. If the ingredients list is the only thing we’re basing it on, though, I’d say this would work great.
Aside from centella asiatica, it also has allantoin that’s great for calming the skin from inflammation too. There’s also tea tree oil, which is a known anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredient.
With all of these good stuff in it, I think it has a fair price. Just don’t go overboard on applying it too much because you don’t need so much of it to moisturize your skin anyway — this way, you get to save up on the product and save money too.
Now, you may be wondering what the final verdict is. Well, this has dethroned my go-to moisturizer, and I’m sure I will purchase a tube of this again.
If you want to try it too, you may buy them through the links below!