DR.JART+ CICAPAIR AND CERAMIDIN

I was first introduced to Dr Jart+ by my girlfriend Stephanie Nicole in an LA Sephora over four years ago. It featured in one of my Empties videos in May 2017 and I haven't stopped having at least 3 or 4 items of it in my collection ever since.

Dr.Jart+ was founded in 2004 and has gone on to become one of the most successful exports into the Western skincare industry from Korea. It has multiple franchises within the main range, two of my favourites and most-used being Cicapair and Ceramidin.

The Cicapair™ range is designed to soothe the look of skin experiencing visible irritation, whether that's caused by lifestyle factors such as pollution or weather changes, or genetic factors that lead to redness and inflammation. It combines Tiger Grass, otherwise known as Centella Asiatica, with other skin-boosting compounds to soothe the skin and reduce redness.

The centella asiatica plant, which you may have also seen as gotu kola, contains four main active ingredients known as terpenoids, including asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside. Between them these ingredients have been shown to improve fine lines, aid pigmentation, give your collagen synthesis some support and act as an antioxidant through their antibacterial properties.

Cicabond: A moisture-barrier replenishing complex includes arabinogalactan, CaC12, MgSO4 and glycerin.
Jartbiome: This is Dr.Jart+’s original probiotic ferment ingredient to help rebalance skin and strengthen its natural moisture barrier.
Centella CX: A reparative blend of Tiger Grass (centella asiatica extract aka CICA) and its active components, plus four traditional herbs (fishwort, holly, yarrow, and sea holly).

Those ingredients are all well and good, but what do you actually need for your skin?

The Cicapair range includes: Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser: This is not your average 'foaming' cleanser. Its second ingredient is glycerin, and it doesn't contain SLS, immediately lifting it out of the no-go zone for me. It's designed to soothe irritated and sensitive or sensitised skins, and does so without causing any further damage. I would use this as a skin cleanser, so either AM or second cleanse.

HOW TO USE:

Use daily AM and/or PM.
If your skin is irritated or reddened, dampen it before applying the cleanser.
Apply a 10p sized amount and massage through.
Again, if you are sensitive, a flannel may cause further irritation, so this is totally suitable for rinsing with clean, lukewarm or cold water.

INGREDIENTS: Water/Eau, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Coco-Betaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Peptide, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Aspergillus Ferment, Triticum Aestivum (Wheat) Seed Extract, Hdera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxypropyl Startch Phosphate, Coco-Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextrin, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, Ethylhexlglycerin, Lipase(0.2ppm), Protease(0.2ppm), Dipropylene Glycol, Calcium Chloride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Madecassoside, Magnesium Sulfate, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Masecassic Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA.

Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Mist I've probably used this more than anything else. It's an extremely fine, hydrating and calming mist that soothes your skin to give immediate relief at any time. I use it after cleansing, after acids, after retinoids, it never disappoints. I used this religiously through the entirety of lockdown to counteract the irritation from wearing masks. HOW TO: Close eyes and mist over entire face, as needed. Is particularly good after cleansing. You absolutely do not have to store it in a fridge but if heat is one of your main complaints, it will definitely feel better for it. INGREDIENTS: Water/Eau, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Erythritol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, C12-14 Pareth-12, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract/Extrait de canne à sucre, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Adenosine, Glycerin, DNA, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Carbomer, Triethylhexanoin, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Calcium Chloride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Magnesium Sulfate.

Cicapair Tiger Grass Re.Pair Serum Containing the highest percentage of the actives, as you would expect, the serum is probably where you should go first if you are new to the range and want immediate results. Soothing, calming and hydrating, it's the perfect base for the rest of your routine. HOW TO USE: Apply half to a full pipette into the palm of your hand, do the therapist swipe and get it straight onto your face. Do not rub your hands together for five minutes to 'warm it up'. Unnecessary and a waste of product. INGREDIENTS: Water/Eau, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Oil, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, C12-14 Pareth-12, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract/Extrait de canne à sucre, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Madecassoside, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, DNA, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Asiaticoside, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Calcium Chloride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Magnesium Sulfate.

Cicapair Tiger Grass Re.pair Cream: This is a softer cream that moisturises and soothes a drier, sensitive or sensitised skin. HOW TO USE: After cleansing, and misting if desired, apply a 10p amount onto your face and gently massage in. It absorbs nicely and shouldn't be a lot of effort to work it through. The less contact with a sensitive skin the better. INGREDIENTS: Aqua, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-8, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Beeswax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Asiatic Acid, Polyisobutene, Asiaticoside, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Spirulina Platensis Powder, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ceramide Np, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Limonene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Disodium Edta, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, D-Limonene, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycerol Formal, Centella Asiatica Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Madecassoside, Citric Acid, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Sucrose Laurate, Sodium Glycerophosphate, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Potassium Magnesium Aspartate, Lysolecithin, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum

Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream This is an ultra-light calming gel cream that is more suited to a skin that is oilier, but still sensitive and/or reddened. I use this one in hotter months or climates. It contains all three compounds including Jartbiome, Cicabond and Centella rx to help strengthen, balance and improve the skin barrier and protect from external stressors. Works well under makeup and plays well with others.

HOW TO USE: As with the Re.pair Cream, after cleansing, and misting if desired, apply a 10p amount onto your face and gently massage in. This one absorbs almost on contact due to its lightweight texture and instantly feels cooling on your face.

INGREDIENTS: Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Cetearyl Olivate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Achillea Millefolium Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Adenosine, DNA, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Panthenol, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Madecassoside, Calcium Chloride, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Magnesium Sulfate, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract. Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment A green-to-beige skin color-correcting cream treatment that corrects redness and helps protect skin from environmental aggressors. This skin color-correcting cream forms a dust barrier to protect the skin from the environment while enhancing the skin’s viability. It strengthens the skin and is infused with sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium to help improve the skin’s moisture levels while restoring fatigued skin with a gentle, healthier glow. For caucasian skins.

HOW TO: After moisturising, apply a small amount to start with, adding more if necessary. The cream will change from green-to-beige to correct any redness and even out skin tone. You can pair the cream with the Tiger Grass Serum or Cream to maximise the soothing and repairing effects even further.

INGREDIENTS: Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Beeswax/Cire D'abeille, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Pan-Thenol, Diglycerin, Iron Oxides, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethi- Cone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Chromium Oxide Greens, Triethyl Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Alcohol, Asiaticoside, Aden- Osine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Boron Nitride, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, 1,2- Hexanediol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polysorbate 20, Aniba Rosodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Sodium Glycerophosphate, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Potassium Magnesium Aspartate, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Madecassoside, Magnesium Gluconate, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide. Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask A soothing, moisturising mask that improves skin texture and radiance while you sleep for soft, glowing skin. This refreshing, intensive gel treatment moisturises, boosts radiance, and improves skin elasticity after a single use. Strengthening the moisture barrier with intense hydration, it leaves tired, stressed skin looking healthy and revitalised. Specially formulated for sensitive skin.

HOW TO: As the last step of your night-time routine, apply a thin layer evenly on the face. Let absorb into the skin for 20 minutes before bed. Rinse your skin with lukewarm water the next morning, mist, serum and moisturise.

INGREDIENTS: Water/Eau, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanedoil, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Vinyle Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Diltrate, Fusidium Coccineum Ferment Filtrate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) Leaf Extract, Diethiconol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Achillea Millefolium Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Methylpropanedoil, Adenosine, Melisa Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Sorbitan Oleate, Bamboo Vinegar, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Peptide, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Madecassoside, Ethylhexlglycerin, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Tumeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Meaongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Carallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Olefiera Seed Oil, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Calcium Chloride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Magnesium Sulfate.

I couldn't talk about Dr Jart+ without talking about Ceramidin. The Cream was the product that got me hooked onto the brand and I always have one in my stash.

Ceramidin is a better choice for you if your skin is dry, but not so sensitive. I love and use all of the range, especially the Cream, Eye Cream and Cream Mist. The name refers to the numerous ceramides found in the range, all designed to help strengthen and restore the skin's barrier while simultaneously rehydrating and moisturising it.

Brilliant for quenching a parched skin, the Cream Mist can be used all over, as and when, and on top of your makeup.

The Liquid is the first step of moisturising, or second if you are applying after the Cream Mist. Drop some into the palm of your hand, do the therapist swipe, and 'place' it on your skin as opposed to heavily rubbing it in. It absorbs almost instantaneously.

Dr Jart+ make brilliant, affordable eye creams and this is no exception. Apply a little over your fingertips, rub together and apply in a circular motion around the entire eye area.

OK this is for you if you like layering, and need more than the Liquid, but don't want to just use a cream. Like Cicapair, this is the highest concentration of ceramides and will give you the quickest boost of moisture in the quickest period. You can use it after the Liquid and under the Cream for maximum moisturising benefits.