If you’re tired of long skincare routines that drag on forever yet yield little to no results, consider switching to multifunctional products that can treat various skin concerns at the same time. Our new Cica Peptide Recovery Serum is the perfect example. Formulated with the best ingredients available, it is a well-rounded treatment product that is suitable for all skin types. Here’s everything you need to know about it:

What’s New About Our Serum? 

Skincare routines can be exhausting. Even more so if you follow ten steps to achieve the perfect skin. And while long, carefully curated routines can be beneficial, it is important to understand that skincare thrives on minimalism. Less is always more. Using ten different products can be overwhelming for the skin, resulting in irritation, congestion and breakouts. Not to mention, the entire process is time-consuming and expensive. Moreover, there are various things that can go wrong with a ten-step skincare routine, such as incorrect layering, and over-exfoliation. 

Most ten-step skincare routines include one-ingredient products, which work well in treating specific skin concerns such as acne or hyperpigmentation. However, since the last few years, skincare has advanced dramatically. You no longer need multiple one-ingredient products to target particular concerns. Instead, you can switch to cocktail serums like our Cica Peptide Recovery Serum, that treat more than one skin problem. Not only is it affordable, but it is also capable of replacing at least three products from your skincare routine. It is a calming solution that strengthens the skin barrier, combats redness and irritation, improves elasticity, reduces hyperpigmentation, and erases fine lines and wrinkles. For a better understanding, look at the detailed account of its star ingredients, given below.

What’s in It? – Ingredient Breakdown 

The Cica Peptide Recovery Serum is holistically formulated to calm inflamed, overwhelmed and sensitive skin. It is crafted using a precise ingredient list that effectively targets skin problems. Moreover, the ingredients are used at their optimal concentrations to provide their best benefits. Here are the main constituents of the Cica Peptide Recovery Serum:

5% Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a hydrophilic amide of vitamin B3. It is an endogenous substance capable of building proteins in the skin, and regulating its oil and sebum production. Niacinamide is an effective skin lightening compound. It inhibits the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes. It is suitable for all skin types, and slows down facial photoaging. This includes improving poor texture, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, and fading dark spots. The Cica Peptide Recovery Serum uses niacinamide at a precise concentration of 5%, a percentage that is clinically proven to fade hyperpigmentation and reduce blemishes. Niacinamide boosts keratin production to keep the skin firm, locks in moisture to prevent excessive water loss, and minimises the appearance of pores. It improves sallowness, and soothes the skin by reducing red blotchiness and irritation. 

Centella Asiatica Extract: Commonly known as “cica”, this ingredient is the hero of our new serum. It is a derivative of Centella asiatica, a medicinal plant known to calm inflamed and irritated skin. Cica is made of active compounds like Asiatic acid and madecassic acid. It also contains pentacyclic triterpenoids, which reduce periorbital wrinkling. Cica increases skin hydration by restoring the skin’s barrier function to regulate transepidermal water loss (TEWL). It regenerates the skin by renewing and enhancing epidermal cell turnover. Cica is rich in bioactive substances and anti-microbial activities, which enable it to combat free radicals to boost skin health. It is an anti-aging antioxidant that speeds up the body’s healing process by treating small wounds, hypertrophic scars and atopic dermatitis. 

Matrixyl 3000: Matrixyl 3000 is a combination of two synthetic peptides: palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins such as collagen. These two peptides, often referred to as matrikines, work together effectively to reduce the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles, and promote skin elasticity by boosting collagen and elastin production. They repair the skin by giving it structure, and work well even for sensitive skin types. Research shows that using Matrixyl 3000 for just two months can help reduce face wrinkles by 45%.

Allantoin: This is a naturally occurring chemical compound present in plants like comfrey, bearberry, and horse chestnut. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with eczema and acne since it soothes irritated, flaky skin, and reduces inflammation.

Argireline: Argireline, clinically known as acetyl hexapeptide-3 or acetyl hexapeptide-8, is a synthetic peptide formed from a chain of six amino acids. Its main function is to treat expression wrinkles, and it does so by paralysing muscle movement, which results in a smoother facial appearance. For this reason, argireline is known as “Botox in a bottle”. It optimises the function of collagen, and boosts its production to prevent fine lines and increase hydration levels in the skin.

Green Tea Extract: Known for its radical free properties, this ingredient is extracted from the Camellia sinensis plant. It boasts antioxidant and anti-aging properties that help age the skin gracefully. It also calms the skin by reducing redness, and is excellent for preventing wrinkles. Additionally, green tea extract protects the skin from harmful UV radiation. The tea polyphenols absorb the UV rays and alleviate the damage induced by them by repairing the skin. 

Liquorice Root Extract: Derived from the glycyrrhiza glabra plant, liquorice root extract works as an emulsifier, allowing both oil and water-based ingredients to mix effectively. It inhibits the production of melanin, an amino acid responsible for pigmentation in the skin. Because of this reason, it is beneficial for individuals with acne, since it brightens the skin, fades dark spots and reduces acne scars. Liquorice root extract also keeps the skin plump, bouncy and healthy.

Panthenol: Also known as vitamin B5, panthenol is a chemical derived from pantothenic acid. It hydrates and moisturises the skin, and works effectively to reduce redness. Panthenol is a humectant; it allows the skin to retain moisture and regulate its hydration levels. This results in a softening and soothing effect. Panthenol is also capable of restoring the skin’s barrier by enhancing lipid synthesis, which helps to lock in moisture. 

How to Use it?

The Cica Peptide Recovery Serum is a flexible product. It can be used daily for both morning and night routines. One of its biggest advantages is that it can be safely layered with actives such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), retinol, vitamin C and azelaic acid. 

If your skincare routine includes actives, use this serum after their application. For best results, use the serum on its own after washing your face with a cleanser. Then, follow up with a hydrating moisturiser.