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“I never knew exfoliants could be so hydrating!”

I had just swiped one of the Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pads on my face for the first time and now I couldn’t stop touching it. It was THAT soft.

A couple of days later, I caught my reflection in the mirror. “Look at that glow,” I thought. “My skin’s behaving so well lately. Am I doing something different? Oh yeah, I’ve just started using the Neogen pads!”

This is an exfoliant on steroids, I tell you. If you’ve got dry skin, you’re in for a treat…

Key Ingredients In Neogen Dermatology Real Cica Pad

Lactobionic Acid and Gluconolactone To Exfoliate Skin

Lactobionic acid and gluconolactone are two members of the Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA) family. Rumour has it, they’re as effective as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (think glycolic and lactic acids) but less irritating. Is that true?

Like AHAs, PHAs dissolve the “glue” that hold skin cells together so they can slough off. Once those old cells are off your face, your whole complexion looks smoother and brighter.

The difference? PHAs have a larger molecular structure, so they can’t penetrate skin as deeply. That’s not a bad thing. Less penetration = less chance of irritation.

FYI, Gluconolactone isn’t much smaller than glycolic acid. It’s a little less likely to cause irritation, but if your skin’s sensitive, that’s still a possibility.

I also don’t recommend PHAs for oily skin. I don’t care what Neogen says, your skin needs an exfoliant that can penetrate into your pores. That’s a job for salicylic acid.

But if you’ve got dry skin and want something a little gentler than glycolic acid? PHAs – and Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad – may just be your new BFF.

Related: How To Choose The Right Exfoliator For Your Skin Type

Centella Asiatica To Soothe Skin

Cica is the Korean nickname for Centella Asiatica, also know as Gotu Kola and Indian pennyworth. Seriously, how many names does this plant have?!

Centella Asiatica is loaded with antioxidants and healing agents. The main ones are:

• Asiaticoside
• Asiatic Acid
• Madecassic Acid
• Madecassosside

These 4 ingredients give Cica its cicatrising and healing abilities. Studies show they help speed up wound healing, heal scars, prevent hyperpigmentation and reduce crow’s feet. They also help soothe any potential irritation from the exfoliation.

Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad contains a huge dollop of Centella Asiatica. It also gives you Asiaticoside & co. Look at the ingredient list. The whole crew is there!

Related: I Tried A Centella Asiatica Facial And Here’s What Happened

Hyaluronic Acid To Hydrate Skin

Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet on steroids: it literally attracts moisture from the air and binds to your skin. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Can you imagine how happy your skin is with all that extra moisture? It plumps up, so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. It gets softer to the touch. And it just glows!

P.S. Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad has 3 forms of Hyaluronic Acid. That’s moisture galore!

Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type

Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion

Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad are just that: textured pads soaked in hydrating essence. One side is slightly more textured than the other but they’re literally dripping with so much essence, you’ll hardly notice the difference.

Heck, you won’t even feel it. The pads feel so smooth when I swipe them all over my face. FYI, I’m using the plural here, but you only need one pad for each application. They’re not too big but more than enough to cover the entire face.

The essence itself is thick and gel-like. It takes a minute or so to absorb, but once it does, it leaves no sticky residue behind.

I can tell the difference immediately. Straight after application my skin feels super soft and intensely hydrated. Then I go to bed (for me, exfoliation is a night job only).

When I wake up in the morning, my skin has a dewy glow that lasts well into the evening. I just look healthy and radiant for the whole day.

And that’s just the exfoliation part! These pads are so gentle, you can use them daily (I alternate them with retinol because I don’t like to use too many actives at once).

While I wouldn’t recommend them for acne-prone skin (get salicylic acid!), they’re great for soothing post-breakout redness… or any type of redness, for that matter.

The best part? The jar is huge. You’ll fine 90 pads inside! That’s enough to last you for 3 months if you use them daily – way longer if you don’t.

If you’ve got dry or sensitive skin that can tolerate acid exfoliation, you must try Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad. I don’t use the word “must” lightly but these pads have really blown me away. I’ll be repurchasing for sure.

Available at: $20.00/£19.01 at Soko Glam and Yes Style

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Have you tried Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Lactobionic Acid, Gluconolactone, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Octyldodecanol, Ceramide NP(Ceramide 3), Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Allantoin, Betaine, Panthenol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Diglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Ready to bust some pore myths?

Like it or not, your pores are here to stay. There’s no way to get rid of them completely – unless you Photoshop them away.

That’s a good thing. You have pores for a reason. Their job is to allow sebum (your skin’s natural moisturiser) to reach the surface of your skin and keep it soft and healthy. Without it, your skin would be a mess.

But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to large pores. You can make them look smaller… if you know how.

Here are some common pore myths that get in the way of flawless skin (and what to do instead):

Pore Myth #1: Cold Water Can Close Pores…

Pores aren’t doors. They can’t open and close at will.

So why do pores look smaller after you splash your face with cold water? Simple: the colder temperatures make your pores constrict so they look smaller.

You’ve guessed it, the effect is only temporary. If you’re trying to shrink pores, this ain’t the way to go about it.

Related: 3 Ways To Shrink Large Pores (That Really Work)

Pore Myth #2: …And Hot Water Can Open Them

These two myths go hand in hand. And why not? If cold water could close pores, it’d made sense for hot water to have the opposite effect.

But you can’t close pores… and you can’t open them either. Not with hot water or with anything else.

All hot water (or better, the steam from hot water) does is to melt away the impurities lodged into your pores, so it’s easy to remove them. That’s why aestheticians often steam your face during facials.

Before you rush to steam your face, hear this: heat and hot water can dry out skin. If you like to take boiling hot showers in winter (or is that just me?), you know what I’m talking about.

Steaming your face may be ok in moderation. Just don’t make it into a regular habit.

Related: Steam Facials: Do They Help Or Harm Skin?

Pore Myth #3: Your Pore Size Never Changes

The size of your pores is genetically determined. Nothing you can do can make them smaller than that.

But if your skin pumps out way more oil than it needs, you use comedogenic ingredients or don’t remove makeup at night, all that gunk can end up in your pores and clog them up.

Overtime, these clogs get so big, they stretch your pores wide, making them look bigger than they naturally are. That’s a job for exfoliation. Doing it regularly can keep your pores clean and small.

Your pores can get larger as you get older, too. When your skin’s natural production of collagen slows down, your pore walls can slacken and look bigger.

Retinol’s your BFF. This form of Vitamin A fights large pores on two fronts: it boosts collagen production and speeds up the skin’s exfoliating process. Oh, and it reduces wrinkles, too.

Best Picks:

Related: The Complete Guide To Retinol: What It Is, What It Does & How To Use It

Pore Myth #4: Blackheads Are Dirt Stuck Inside Your Pores

Blackheads ain’t dirt. Unless by dirt you mean the mix of excess sebum and dead skin cells that’s stuck in your pores.

When this sticky mix reaches the surface of the skin and comes in contact with air, it can oxidise (i.e. turn black). It usually happens on the t-zone (you have more sebaceous glands there), but if your skin’s very oily, they can pop up anywhere.

You can wash your face all you want, but you’ll only manage to dry it out. Your blackheads will stay put, as if nothing happened.

The only way to get rid of blackheads is to use a salicylic acid exfoliant. Also called BHA, this exfoliant gets inside your pores to remove all the gunk from within.

Best Picks:

Do you know of any other pore myths that need busting? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Sunscreen gave you a bad rash?

Still got a sunburn after a few hours in the sun?

So many sunscreens aren’t up to the job. Their UV filters are either irritating as hell or are so unreliable, they stop working within a couple of hours.

But how can you tell which ones you can trust? Don’t worry, I’ve done the work for you. Below, you can find the best (read, gentlest and most stable) sunscreen ingredients. Look out for them on the label:

Zinc Oxide

What it is: a white mineral. Friends call it ZnO.

What it does: it protects, on its own, from the entire UV range. It works by absorbing and transforming most UV rays into a less damaging form of energy (heat) and scattering away the rest.

Side effects: it’s thick and can leave a white cast behind.

Where to find it: EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF47 and MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UVA-UVB Sunscreen

Related: Why Zinc Oxide Is The Best Sunscreen Ingredient Ever

Mexoryl

What it is: a chemical sunscreen ingredient developed and patented by L’Oreal. It’s also called Ecamsule.

What it does: it protects from all UVA and some UVB rays  It’s very photostable, so it doesn’t degrade (and lose effectiveness) too quickly when exposed to sunlight.

Side effects: irritations are rare.

Where to find it: La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+

Related: What Are The Best Sunscreens With Mexoryl?

Tinosorb S and Tinosorb M

What they are: two chemical sunscreens widely available in Europe and Asia, but not yet approved for use in the US. Tinosorb S is also called bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine and Tinosorb M hides under the name methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol.

What they do: they protect from all UVA and some UVB rays. Both are photostable and help prevent other UV filters, like Avobenzone, from degrading and losing their effectiveness too soon.

Side effects: irritations are rare.

Where to find it: Eucerin Sun Allergy Protection Sun Creme-Gel SPF 50

Titanium Dioxide

What it is: a white mineral.

What it does: it protects from all UVB and some UVA rays. Like zinc oxide, it absorbs and transforms most UV rays into a less damaging form of energy and scatters the rest away.

Side effects: it can leave a white cast behind.

Where to find it: EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF47 and Replenix Sheer Physical Sunscreen Cream SPF 50

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The Bottom Line

Plenty of UV filters are unreliable. Stick to the ones above and you’ll be safe both from sun and irritations.

What active sunscreen ingredients do you prefer to use and why? Let me know your faves in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.