Struggling with acne as a teenager is something many of us know all too well.
We’ve all had those mornings—waking up to find new pimples that seemed to appear out of nowhere, leaving us self-conscious and tempted to pick at them, only to make things worse.
But then, I discovered the magic of CICA. Short for Centella Asiatica, this herb is has incredible ability to reduce redness, calm inflammation, and soothe irritated skin.
Since I started using CICA products, my skin has never looked so smooth and glowing. I’m honestly blown away by the results. It’s now definitely something that I will never be able to give up.
However, choosing skincare is an investment for us, and knowing what’s good for you is hard to decide from just the package.
Over the years, this love for CICA made me try different products especially K-Beauty products. Throughout this, I have noticed the difference in quality and effectiveness between different products which led me to share this useful knowledge with you!
So, if you are struggling with acne, I have the 5 best CICA products that are not only *EFFECTIVE* but also *AFFORDABLE* for us teens.
1. Cica Skin, VT Cosmetics
photo: VT Cosmetics
The Magic of Cica Skin
If you are looking for a toner that is very hydrating but melts into your skin, this is for you. Oftentimes, oily skin can cause the pores of your skin to clog further leading to breakouts (AAD). And for those for you, finding a toner with the perfect texture that hydrates your skin but also isn’t sticky can be hard.
Well, good news! Because the CICA Skin toner has that silky and smooth texture that seeps into your skin the moment you apply it.
That’s not even the best part of this product. From my experience of using this product, the skin feels so tightened and glowy the next morning.
Secret to a Glowy Look
The reason why this toner has a glowy exfoliated effect is because the product also contains an ingredient called PHA(Gluconolactone). This performs a brilliant role in repairing your skin and exfoliating dead skin and makes your skin look less damaged (Byrdie).
Not only that it has exfoliating effects, it also removes skin impurities and excess sebum which keeps the skin clean and less oily.
photo: VT Cosmetics
This product also contains ingredients such as Triple Hyaluronic Acid, Cicaliao and Cicahyalon which enhance the moisturizing and the soothing effects further.
For You if You Have…
As mentioned, this product is especially recommended for people with oily skin. You can also use this product effectively with using other products with lower concentrations.
Looking for Affordable Products?
Even though you get so many beneficial effects for your skin by using this product, the best part about this is that it is on the market at about $25 even on Amazon. To be honest, this is a serious winning deal for me after noticing the significant benefits that this product brought to my skin. If you want to have fresh and healthy skin, check it out because it’s definitely worth it!!
2. Cica Reti-A Essence 0.1, VT Cosmetics
photo: Amazon
No More Hesitation!
If you’ve been curious about trying retinol but hesitant because of those dreaded side effects, then this is your skin’s new best friend!
Introducing the Cica Reti-A Essence, the ultimate retinol product designed specifically for sensitive skin types. This isn’t just any retinol—this is a gentle powerhouse! It features hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), a superstar ingredient that gives you all the glow-boosting, pore-tightening benefits of retinol with a fraction of the irritation. Say goodbye to redness and hello to tightened skin!
But wait, there’s more! This essence isn’t just about retinol, but also combined with the magic of CICA. Known for its soothing, calming properties, CICA works its magic to reduce redness and irritation, leaving your skin feeling balanced and hydrated.
Now that we’ve gone over the fantastic benefits, let’s dive into the textures and effects!
Texture and Effect
To kick off with, Cica Reti-A Essence has a very light texture that feels like nothing other than feathers. You will definitely be surprised when pumping out the product because it almost feels like water, yet really moisturizing on the skin. As you spread it across your face, you will notice that despite the watery texture, your skin will feel hydrated and most importantly not sticky at all.
And here’s my favorite part, the fact that it can be used for both dry and oily skin due to its watery but hydrating texture.
If you have sensitive skin, it’s a great start for you to include retinol in your skincare!!
3. Cica Vital Essense, VT Cosmetics
The VT Cosmetics Cica Vital Essence is a product designed to elevate your daily routine and enhance your skin’s health and appearance. Here’s why you should consider adding this essence to your collection!!
Soothing + More Benefits!
The essence is full of soothing ingredients that help calm irritation and redness. The Cica extract not only hydrates but also promotes healing and skin barrier repair which is what we exactly want!
You might think that it only has soothing benefits, but that’s not the case for thie one!
Formulated with Cicahylon, a blend of Cica extract, and three types of hyaluronic acids. This essence provides full hydration, ensuring your skin stays moisturized and plump all day long.
Not only soothing benefits, infused with Vitamin C, this product works to brighten your skin, giving your skin a youthful glow that will illuminate it.
Why You Need This Product
photo: nugu
The Cica Vital Essence has a thick yet lightweight texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple without any greasy residue.
It also has a soft but fruity yuzu scent that will take your skincare experience to the next level!
And yet, with a generous 100ml bottle, this essence offers great value for money, allowing you to enjoy its benefits for an extended period without frequently repurchasing the product.
Believe me, you will NOT WASTE MONEY on this product! It took me 5 months to use it all up when used every night.
4. Bifida Cica Herb Toner, Manyo
photo: ebay
The Manyo Bifida Cica Herb Toner is a remarkable addition to any skincare routine, especially for those seeking to enhance their skin’s health and appearance. Here’s why you should consider making this toner a staple in your regimen:
Perfect for Your Oily Skin
This product includes not only Cica but has an ingredient called Bifida which provides protection against UV damage and supports your skin barrier protection. If you don’t want to make your acne situation worse, then this function is very beneficial for you.
Moreover, the appealing point about this toner is that it has 12 different kinds of herbs such as chamomile and lavender that further promote the soothing function and give it a natural and refreshing scent.
Overall, using this product will give you the healthy herbal protection you need to protect your skin from environmental stressors and soothe your skin.
photo: Korea Cosmetics Bn
Why You’ll Love It
Personally, my favorite thing about this toner is how light the texture is. Although it has a watery consistency, it absorbs really quickly and you can even layer it depending on your preference. lt leaves your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated without any sticky residue.
However, compared to the Cica Skin from VT Cosmetics, it feels less moisturizing.
You can also pour some of the product onto a cotton pad and wipe your face if you want some refreshment.
So, I strongly recommend this to those of you who have really oily skin, yet want soothing effects and minimal hydration.
5. Madecassoside Ampoule, A’pieu
The A’PIEU Madecassoside Ampoule is a highly effective skincare product designed to soothe, hydrate, and rejuvenate sensitive skin. Here’s why you should consider adding this ampoule to your routine:
Key Features
The amazing thing about this product is that the ampoule is formulated with 99.9% Cica extract. On top of this, it is also infused with madecassoside, also called, “tiger-grass” which is THE key ingredient in performing anti-inflammatory benefits that stimulates collagen production to improve your skin elasticity.
Not like others, this product has a very high concentration of 1,000 pm of this ingredient making it more potent in performing these dream functions.
In addition to all these great benefits brought to our skins, this product has a water-like consistency which will give you instant hydration without any greasiness left on the skin.
How to Use it Effectively
The official A’pieu webpage has introduced 3 ways that we can use the ampoule more effectively.
- Apply a drop of the ampoule after cleansing your skin and applying toner. Use it everyday in order to feel the effects.
- Layer the ampoule 2-3 times, especially on irritated and sensitive parts of your skin.
- Apply the product onto cotton pads, and place them on your skin for an SOS treatment.
I highly recommend this to those of you who have sensitive skin since this ampoule is formulated with only 2 ingredients with no colors or scents added.
Use CICA and Say Bye to Acne!!
Here were the 5 best acne products I’ve used that I was especially impressed by its benefits and effectiveness!!
I understand that many teenagers across the world is struggling with acne, but CICA is a GAME CHANGER. You will most likely feel the effects if you level up your skincare routine by using one of these products!!
Thank you for reading until the end and please comment down here↓↓
