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If you’re a fan of Centella Asiatica, then you’ll be very excited about the Cica Care Collection from VT Cosmetics! I was first introduced to the brand via their makeup but it didn’t exactly blow me away. I’ve been looking to give them a second chance though and I’m pleasantly surprised this time! This collection is all about Centella (also known as Cica) – it’s one of my favourite soothing skincare ingredients and I’m always working it into my routine.
The Cica Care Collection is actually quite extensive but I’ll be reviewing four products: the Cica Daily Soothing Mask, Cica Cream, Cica Skin and the VT Cica Sleeping Mask. All of these are available on the StyleKorean website but I would actually recommend checking out the main VT Cosmetics page instead – they are so many other products ranging from masks to sun care.
I’ve been using these products since December last year, so it’s been a decent amount of time now. Let’s get into this review!
Cica Daily Soothing Mask | USD$16.90 (discounted from USD$24.20)
This is absolutely perfect for sheet mask fans and, once you’ve got your hands on this, there’s no excuse not to mask on the daily. This is essentially a box of 30 masks and aims to provide quick, basic skincare for those with busy lifestyles.
According to the product description, this claims to deliver moisture and soothing benefits to your skin, as well as helping in oil rebalancing. contains both Cicaliao and Cicahyalon, which are trademarked VT Cosmetics ingredients. Ingredient claims are:
- Cicaliao: to soothe dry and tender skin
- Cicahyalon: containing triple hyaluronic acid to help strengthen the moisture barrier, soothe weakened skin and also supply ample moisture to dry skin
This mask is suitable for use both day and night. It also claims to have a smooth fit that assists in the absorption of the essence, a firmer material to minimise ‘sagging’ (or stretching) and to be super thin – 0.2mm in thickness. This usually allows for a mask to adhere really well.
Packaging
I was a bit confused with the packaging at first. There’s a foil wrapper on the base that is really tempting to peel – but don’t do that! Instead, the inner plastic opening needs to be pulled open and the tweezers can be stored against the top lid. The box functions almost like a tissue box so it’s very convenient. The top lip also had a raised middle section which fully seals the opening, allowing the product to stay fresh for longer. Hypothetically, this should also prevent spillage if you are using this for travel but I haven’t been able to test that out.
Overall, I’m really happy with the packaging. Although a bit confusing at first, it’s highly functional and the quality feels great too. In comparison to individual sheet masks, I also feel that this is much more environmentally friendly (even if it still uses plastic).
The visual design of it is quite simple, using a dark green colour that’s cohesive across the entire line. It isn’t exciting really, but gives off a mature and classic vibe.
Personal Experiences
I love the concept of this and think that the execution is almost perfect. Although I’m a big fan of sheet masking, I often forget to because all of my masks are stored separately to my skincare products (due to the sheer number of them). With the Cica Daily Soothing Mask though, I can keep the entire box right on my vanity and it’s so convenient. I can reach for it almost like I would a cotton pad.
The actual sheet mask fits to my skin perfectly. I don’t really need to fold down the edges and, as the material is super thin, it also adheres really well. I like to use this while I’m working and don’t have any issues with it slipping off at all.
However, my main criticism of this is that the thinness of the mask makes it dry quicker than many of the other masks I’ve used. It’s recommended to leave this on for 10-15 minutes, but the sheet is actually quite dry once you get to the end. It would recommend to stick to 10 minutes unless you are in a more humid environment, as dry sheet masks may cause dehydration.
Aside from that, these do a great job of hydrating my skin and soothing any redness. It’s a good, simple product for every day use even if not revolutionary.
Here’s the verdict!
SO WHAT IS IT?
A box of 30 sheet masks, with hydration and soothing benefits
THE GOOD
- Good price point
- Less waste
- Highly functional and convenient packaging
- Hydration lasts through the day
- Immediately soothes skin
- Good adherence and fit
- Light and fresh scent
THE BAD
- Sheet masks dry fairly quickly
- Very slight tackiness after use
RATINGS
- PRICE POINT | 4/5
- PACKAGING | 5/5
- ADHERENCE/FIT | 5/5
- LONGEVITY | 2/5
- EFFECTIVENESS | 5/5
- SCENT | 5/5
OVERALL RATING? 8.7/10
THOUGHTS? Honestly, I am very happy with these sheet masks and think that this is a great concept. I hope more companies will come out with these ‘boxes’ because it will reduce so much waste!
The benefits are quite basic, so it’s anything remarkable, but it does deliver on all of the product claims. My only issue is with the longevity of these masks but, since it’s a ‘daily’ product, I can work with the shorter application time.
Definitely pick up the Cica Daily Soothing Mask while it’s on sale for an exceptionally great deal too!
Cica Cream | USD$20 (discounted from USD$28.60)
This is one for fans of gel formulas and deep hydration. The Cica Cream is described as a gentle, soothing formula and comes in a metal tube packaging. As with the previous sheet masks, this also contains the trademarked Cicaliao ingredient.
The three key selling points for the Cica Cream are:
- Has three types of ‘care’ (Calming, Moisturising and Hydrating) through three ingredients: Beta-Glucan for hydration, Ceramide NP to improve water retention and Panthenol (B5) for calming benefits
- Using a Layering Moisture System to provide maximum moisture to the skin, deeply hydrating in a lightweight formula
- A non-greasy formula to balance and keep skin hydrated
Packaging
As previously mentioned, this cream comes in a metal tube packaging (very similar to Dr Jart) which I personally find really convenient. The tube stands easily on it’s own, so I can keep it upright on my vanity. It’s also very minimalist and lightweight, so very easy if you’re looking to travel with it.
I also really like the material of the tube. Although this type of packaging has the tendency to get a little ugly when it’s half used, being able to retain shape makes it easier to guess how much product you can left. These are also a lot easier to fully finish up – I usually fold the tube down from the end so I know that I’ve gotten full use of the contents.
From a design perspective, the print is fairly average. It uses the deep green and white colour scheme with a hint of pink, as well as very simple typography and the Cica Care illustration up top (which is like the ‘logo’ for this whole collection). It’s not exactly exciting, but it’s easy on the eyes and I like the simple aesthetic.
Personal Experiences
This cream has a gel formula with a light green colour, but applies on clear. It has an immediately soothing effect and is great for giving an instant boost of hydration to skin. It also forms a sort of moisture barrier over the skin, so the benefits are quite long lasting. This sort of finish would work very well underneath makeup too, and the non-greasy formulate won’t break up your foundation.
That being said, it might feel a little bit tacky if you’re not used to it and it takes quite a long time to somewhat absorb into skin. I think that this is great for combination and dry-leaning skin types, but those with oily skin might prefer a formula that is faster absorbing. In addition to this, I also feel that this hasn’t done much for me in terms of skin rebalancing (as I still have an excess of sebum production) so that’s a shame.
Overall though, the immediate benefits from the Cica Cream are good and this is something that I would reach for often as my pre-makeup skincare routine. Here’s the verdict!
SO WHAT IS IT?
A gel-type cream with soothing, hydration and moisturising benefits
THE GOOD
- Light, fresh scent
- Convenient and easy to use packaging
- Immediate soothing benefits
- Smoothes on easily over skin
- Deeply hydrates with longer lasting effects
THE BAD
- Slight tacky finish
- Slow to absorb
- No noticeable skin re-balancing benefit
RATINGS
- PRICE POINT | 3/5
- PACKAGING | 4/5
- FINISH/TEXTURE | 3/5
- SOOTHING | 4/5
- HYDRATION/MOISTURE | 4/5
- OIL REBALANCING | 1/5
OVERALL RATING? 6.3/10
THOUGHTS? There are definitely pros and cons to this product and it really comes down to your skin type. As someone with combination-oily skin, the finish of this is a bit too much for me to use alone. However, it does a great job beneath make up as it locks in hydration for a long time.
The main issue is that it just doesn’t deliver on the claim of oil rebalancing. Aside from that would, I would still be recommending this for combination or dry-leaning skin.
Cica Skin | USD$21.50 (discounted from USD$30.80)
Toner is easily one of my favourite steps in my skincare routine. This Cica Skin fit in perfectly to my routine and worked well both day and night. In fact, I often use toner alone in the mornings and simply layer it up.
According to the product description, this product claims to refine skin texture, as well as provide soothing and moisturising care. It’s intended to use as the first step to your routine (after cleansing) and makes use of a Water Capture System to create a long lasting hydration effect. In addition, this claims to have a ‘4-out’ function, with a gentle formula that is free of ‘frustration’ (which I interpret as irritation), heaviness, stickiness or greasiness.
The key selling points are:
- Gives a fresh finish by hydrating and soothing skin
- Contains PHA (Gluconolactone) to remove skin impurities and excess sebum for a smoother and clearer complexion
And of course, this also contains the trademarked Cicaliao ingredient.
Packaging
The packaging for the Cica Skin is simple, but it’s very pretty! In fact, this is probably the prettiest one out of the three that I tried. The battle is a fairly standard shape and is made from a frosted plastic. It has a gradient design that moves from the opaque dark green to a lighter green tint. The translucency makes its easy to see the product inside and also adds a point of interest to the design. The hint of silver is really pretty too.
I personally really like the material of the packaging. It’s lightweight but feels to be of a nice quality. In comparison to some frosted glass bottles (such as the Missha First Treatment Essence), this is just a lot more travel friendly and much less prone to fingerprints too.
The shape of the bottle is fairly standard – you essentially just pore it out of the bottle. Since the formula is quite thin, it’s easy to use too. There’s a a risk of over dispensing it, but it isn’t too hard to control since there’s a small cap over the opening.
Personal Experiences
So as you most likely already know, I really enjoyed using the Cica Skin. I definitely felt that my skin looked smoother while using this and it helped soothe some of the break outs along my jaw too. The formula has a light green tint as well as a thin, watery texture. It’s best applied by patting it into skin, though you can also saturate a cotton pad with it too.
In general, the biggest strength of this product is in the hydration – it really deeply hydrates but doesn’t leave any stickiness. It’s lightweight and easy to layer up too, which is why I love using this in the mornings.
I’m not totally sure if I see much of a skin refinement benefit though. It’s possible that this is something that will take longer to become visible though.
Here’s the verdict!
SO WHAT IS IT?
A lightweight toner to soothe and hydrate skin
THE GOOD
- Very pretty and good quality packaging
- Deeply hydrating formula
- Lightweight texture that is easy to layer up
THE BAD
- Skin refinement isn’t very visible
RATINGS
- PRICE POINT | 3/5
- PACKAGING | 5/5
- ABSORPTION | 5/5
- SOOTHING | 4/5
- HYDRATION | 5/5
- SKIN REFINEMENT | 1/5
OVERALL RATING? 7.7/10
THOUGHTS? I really enjoyed this product even if it’s didn’t especially deliver on the skin refinement claim. Aside from that, I loved the hydration benefits from this as well as the watery texture (which is perfect for the 7 skin method). Even if the overall rating didn’t get as high, I would still be highly recommending this product to people. I think that people with combination to oily skin will love this best!
Cica Sleeping Mask | USD$24.60 (discounted from USD$35.20)
As the last step of your skincare routine (but definitely not the least), there is the Cica Sleeping Mask! These are unique in that each application is packaged separately (kind of like coffee sticks) which makes these perfect for travel and overnight trips. Each box comes with thirty tubes, so hypothetically a month’s worth (though I personally think it can be stretched to two – more on that later)!
According to the product description, this claims to penetrate deeper into tired skin, forming a moisture film for hydration throughout the night – just like you’ve had a wonderful night’s sleep. As with all sleeping masks, this is meant to be applied at night as the last step to your skincare routine, and then simply washed off in the mornings. I love using sleeping masks on nights when I know I won’t be catching enough sleep, or when my skin is so tired that it needs deeper hydration.
This Cica Sleeping Mask contains Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella 4X Complex, Green Propolis Extract and Triple Hyaluronic Acid. The key selling points include:
- Promotes skin vitality, replenishing with deep moisture.
- This is a daily care formula with skin soothing benefits too.
- Gives a moisturised and glowing look, for that dewy skin look!
Of course, this product also contains the Cicaliao and Cicahyalon ingredients to strength the moisture barrier and also care for dry skin.
Packaging
Out of everything, the most unique thing about this product is the packaging. The little coffee sachets are so cute. They are all in paper/foil packet so it’s perfect for travelling as you can just take how many ‘nights’ you need – no concerns about decanting or spillage. In addition, it helps to keep the product ‘fresh’ for as long as possible (since they are all sealed until use).
I like the locking box design too, even if the print if rather plain – consistent with the rest of the collection but not too exciting.
However, there are two main downsides that I see to this product:
- Convenience: I feel that tubs are a lot easier to use on a day-to-day basis. The added step of having to open a sachet may mean that this goes neglected.
- Packaging waste: this just uses a lot more than having a single tub. This could be perfected if they switched to eco-friendly paper and print coating too.
Personal Experiences
I love using sleeping masks, especially those with more soothing benefits. One of my top favourites is the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask so the standards are high.
This formula is a bit thicker than I expected, with more of a milky gel consistency. It’s soothing on application and hydrates fairly well. However, the thicker formula doesn’t absorb as thoroughly; it isn’t greasy or heavy but leaves a slight film the next morning. It’s important to fully wash it off the morning after.
One sachet also contains quite a lot of product! I end up using it down my neck and even onto my shoulders so I think it’s possible to use one sachet for two applications.
Overall, this is a decent product and the approach is unique too. It mostly delivers on the product claims, although the benefits are quite basic. Efficacy-wise, I think that the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is still my personal favourite. I found the individual sachets rather inconvenient but can see myself using this more once I start travelling again though.
Here’s the verdict!
SO WHAT IS IT?
Individually packaged sleeping masks with hydrating and soothing benefits
THE GOOD
- Formula stays fresh until use
- Travel friendly with lightweight packaging
- Quite a generous amount of product per sachet
- Soothing and decent hydration benefits
- Easy to layer over other products
THE BAD
- On the expensive side compared to other sleeping masks
- Packaging waste
- Inconvenient for daily use
- Leaves slight film on skin by the next morning
RATINGS
- PRICE POINT | 2/5
- PACKAGING | 2/5
- ABSORPTION | 3/5
- SOOTHING | 4/5
- HYDRATION | 4/5
- SKIN SMOOTHING | 3/5
OVERALL RATING? 6/10
THOUGHTS? I think that this is a unique product that I would likely enjoy more in other circumstances. The packaging, although very practical, can also be inconvenient and I often forget that I even have this. In comparison to some other more reputable brands (such as Laneige and COSRX) it’s also on the more expensive end of the scale.
All in all, I still prefer to use my Laneige, but I think this is a good travel option.
And those are the products that I’ve tested out from VT Cosmetics! Have you used any of their skincare before? Although I’m a huge fan of Cica products, I feel like this collection is a bit hit-or-miss for my skin type – it seems to be largely targeted towards dry skin though they are versatile enough that I can still use them.
I’m definitely a fan of the Cica Daily Soothing Mask and also enjoy using the Cica Skin as well – if you’re looking to try it out, I would definitely recommend those two!
