Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Serum Review
I purchased the redness rescue kit recently to try out the Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream (review here) and was not disappointed with the line! Keep reading for the full review of just the serum.
Quick facts:
Formulated without: Sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban
Potential irritants: Lavender oil (very low amount though, under 1%, so should be okay)
Price: $52 USD for full size, 30ml
Where to purchase: Sephora, Dr.Jart, StyleVana (best pricing, sometimes only $37!!)
Scent: Light herbal scent, no synthetic fragrance added
Packaging: Glass pipette to dispense product
Main pros: The serum has a light texture and works well with the cream to combat redness and skin sensitivity.
Main cons: The star Centella Asiatica ingredient is far too low on the ingredient list to be really effective. I prefer the 100% Centella Asiatica serum from SKIN 1004 over this (listed on my favorites page).
Verdict: 7/10, does the job but I prefer the cream over the serum for calming redness/irritation.
What does the Dr. Jart Tiger Cicapair serum do?
This daily soothing serum for sensitive skin or sensitized skin helps relieve the appearance of redness as it strengthens skin’s protective barrier to help prevent future irritation. It leaves skin looking softer and healthier. Dermatologist tested.
The key ingredient is the Tiger Grass (aka Centella Asiatica or Cica), an herbal remedy tigers in the Asian wetlands have rolled around in for centuries to help heal their wounds, Niacinamide and a moisturizing humectant.
I've written a lot about Centella Asiatica on this review here, but essentially this is a medicinal ingredient that has been tested (and used for hundreds of years in asia) for treatment of irritated skin. It's extremely soothing and anti-inflammatory.
Ingredients
Full ingredients list below, but you can also read our in-depth guide on how to read skincare ingredient labels to see if the formulation would be right for you.
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. SEPHORA.com
As you can see above, Centella Asiatica Extract is actually listed as one of the last ingredient on the list, and likely below the 1% line, which means it doesn't actually make up a lot of the product. I was disappointed to see this since this product had worked well for me, but more about that below!
Is Cicapair serum good for acne?
In short, no. Generally, this is more of a skin-soothing product. If you have fungal acne, do not use this at all. The Cicapair tiger grass serum and cream combo or just the cream itself is good for inflamed/irritated skin or occasional acne as the ingredients help to soothe the skin. You could pair this in rotation with something that fights acne (those products tend to be harsher on the skin, so this could soothe the skin during the day or the night after).
How to use the Dr. Jart Cica Tiger Grass Serum
- Cleanse your face, pat to dry.
- Shake the serum well and apply 2-3 drops to skin after cleansing and toning.
- Follow with your favourite moisturizer or with the Dr. Jart Cica Tiger Grass Cream (review here) - It is suggested to apply a pea-size amount to skin but I typically require more for areas that have redness or are experiencing sensitivity (a thin layer all over my cheeks and T zone).
Summing up this Dr. Jart Cica Tiger Grass Serum review
Using the Cicapair serum and cream combo together reduced my redness and skin irritation SO MUCH, just overnight, but I felt like just using the cream from the line is enough for me. The serum also doesn't have a high concentration of the Centella Asiatica star ingredient, so I don't think you're getting the most value from this product.
I would definitely recommend trying the cream out first if you're looking for something soothing. Just be sure to purchase through StyleVana or another kbeauty retailer since Sephora marks it up a lot (Sephora is $52 USD where as I saw it on StyleVana for $37).
Let me know if you end up trying it in the comments :)!
-Tia
*This post may contain affiliate links but all opinions are my own and products are purchased by myself.