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Cica & Ceramide Deep Hydration Gel Moisturizer

Cica & Ceramide Deep Hydration Gel Moisturizer

Product Description

A lightweight, fast-absorbing gel moisturizer from Skin Hero that pairs soothing Centella Asiatica (Cica) with barrier-repairing Ceramide AP and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid. Built on a minimalist 10-ingredient formula, it's fragrance-free, fungal-acne safe, and designed to calm, hydrate, and strengthen reactive, sensitive, and acne-prone skin without any heavy or greasy feel.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ P-Beauty (Filipino Skincare) ยท Made in the Philippines
โœ” Vegan โœ” Cruelty-Free โœ” Fungal Acne Safe โœ” Reef Safe โœ” Fragrance-Free โœ” Only 10 Ingredients โœ” Barrier Support
Pregnancy Safe
Yes โœ”
Fungal Acne Safe
Yes โœ”
Comedogenic Rating
1/5
๐Ÿงด
Type
Gel Moisturizer
๐Ÿ“
Size
50ml
๐ŸŒฟ
Hero Actives
Cica + Ceramide
๐Ÿงช
Ingredients
10 total
๐Ÿท๏ธ
Brand
Skin Hero

โœจ Texture & Feel

๐Ÿ’ง
Consistency
Watery gel
๐Ÿ‘ƒ
Scent
Fragrance-free
โฑ๏ธ
Absorption
Fast (~30s)
๐ŸŽฏ
Finish
Dewy
๐ŸŒฟ

Cica Soothing

A high level of Centella Asiatica (Cica) calms redness, irritation, and reactive skin.

๐Ÿงฑ

Barrier Repair

Ceramide AP replenishes the skin's natural lipids to rebuild a stronger moisture barrier.

๐Ÿ’ง

Deep Hydration

Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol pull water into the skin for a plumped, comfortable feel.

๐Ÿชถ

Featherlight Gel

Watery, oil-free texture absorbs quickly and never leaves a greasy or heavy film.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Safety & Compatibility

โœ…
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreens. All 10 ingredients are widely considered safe during pregnancy and nursing.

โœ…
Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Independently verified as malassezia-safe. No esters, fatty acids, or polysorbates that can feed fungal acne.

๐Ÿงช
Layers Well With Actives

Plays nicely with vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, and AHA/BHA. Apply it after your actives to buffer and hydrate.

๐Ÿ”ฌ
Patch Test Recommended

Fragrance-free and allergen-free, but very reactive skin should still patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours first.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Ingredient Breakdown

๐ŸŒฟ Centella Asiatica Extract (Cica) ~20% Proven

The star of the formula. Cica (also called Gotu Kola) is a Southeast Asian herb rich in antioxidants and soothing compounds like madecassoside and asiaticoside, prized for calming irritation and supporting wound healing.

  • Soothing: Well-documented anti-inflammatory action that helps reduce redness and reactivity.
  • Repair: Studies link its active compounds to enhanced collagen synthesis and faster skin recovery.
  • Hydration: A 4-week, 25-person study confirmed measurable skin-moisturizing benefits.
โœ…
Present at an estimated high concentration (~20%), making soothing one of this product's strongest benefits.

๐Ÿงฑ Ceramide AP <1% Proven

Also known as Ceramide 6. Ceramides are lipids that naturally make up about half of the "glue" between skin cells, binding them together to form a healthy, water-retaining barrier.

  • Barrier: Restores depleted lipids to firm, hydrate, and protect the skin barrier.
  • Defense: A stronger barrier shields against irritants and helps reduce inflammation.
โœ…
Ideal partner ingredient for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin barriers.

๐Ÿ’ง Hyaluronic Acid ~1-2% Proven

A humectant naturally found in healthy skin that can hold many times its weight in water, drawing moisture in to hydrate, soothe, and plump.

  • Hydration: High-molecular-weight HA is an excellent surface hydrator and skin protectant.
  • Healing: Research notes anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that aid recovery.
โš ๏ธ
Very low-molecular-weight HA can be mildly irritating for some; most users tolerate it well.

๐Ÿ…ฑ๏ธ Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) ~1% Promising

A humectant amino-acid relative and part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor. It increases surface water content and supports a soft, supple feel.

  • Moisture: Helps lift water content at the skin's surface for lasting comfort.
  • Soothing: Commonly used to calm and condition stressed skin.

๐ŸŒผ Glycerin & Chamomile Supporting Proven

Glycerin is one of the most effective humectants known, while Chamomilla Recutita (chamomile) extract adds extra calming, antioxidant support.

  • Glycerin: A 2016 study found it more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
  • Chamomile: Skin-protecting botanical traditionally used to soothe sensitive skin.
โœ…
Glycerin's low molecular weight helps pull moisture into deeper layers of the skin.

10 ingredients

Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide AP, Hyaluronic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Propanediol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Leucine

FREE FROM: Fragrance, essential oils, harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones, and sulfates.

๐Ÿ”„ Where It Fits in Your Routine

1
Cleanser
2
Toner
3
Serum
4
This Moisturizer
5
Face Oil (PM)
6
Sunscreen (AM)

Use morning and night. Because it's a lightweight gel, very dry skin can layer a richer cream or facial oil on top at night to lock in hydration.

๐Ÿ“ How to Use

1

Start With Clean Skin

Cleanse and tone as usual so the gel can absorb into freshly prepped skin.

2

Apply Your Treatments

Layer any serums or actives (vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol) and let them settle first.

3

Press In the Gel

Take a pea-sized amount, warm it between fingertips, and gently press over the face and neck.

4

Seal & Protect

In the morning, follow with sunscreen. At night, add a richer cream on top if your skin needs more.

๐Ÿ‘ค Who Is It For?

โœ… Perfect for you if:

  • You have sensitive, reactive, or easily irritated skin
  • You're prone to fungal acne and need a malassezia-safe option
  • You want a lightweight, fragrance-free gel for daytime
  • You have oily or combination skin that hates heavy creams
  • You prefer a short, minimalist ingredient list

โŒ Consider alternatives if:

  • You have very dry skin and want all-in-one hydration
  • You prefer a rich, occlusive night cream
  • You want a pump dispenser (this formula is quite runny)
  • You're seeking active anti-aging ingredients like retinol
  • You dislike a slightly dewy, shiny finish

๐ŸŽฏ Skin Type Compatibility

Oily Skin โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… Excellent

Oil-free, watery gel hydrates without adding grease or clogging pores.

Combination โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… Excellent

Hydrates dry zones while staying light enough for an oily T-zone.

Sensitive โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… Excellent

Fragrance-free and cica-rich; users report it calms redness without stinging.

Acne-Prone โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… Excellent

Non-comedogenic and fungal-acne safe; a favorite for breakout-prone skin.

Dry Skin โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜† Moderate

Soothes and hydrates but is light; very dry skin should layer a cream on top.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Results Timeline

Immediately

Instant Comfort

Skin feels hydrated, cooled, and soothed the moment it absorbs. Tightness and dryness ease.

90% noticed
1โ€“2 Weeks

Calmer, Less Reactive

Redness and irritation begin to settle as the cica and chamomile work over consistent use.

70% noticed
4 Weeks

Stronger Barrier

Ceramides and hyaluronic acid help skin retain moisture better and feel more resilient.

60% noticed
8 Weeks+

Balanced & Healthy

With ongoing use, skin looks more even and comfortable, with fewer flare-ups.

55% noticed

โญ Ratings by Platform

๐Ÿ  SkinSort
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.0
Rating
Verified
Ingredients
โš ๏ธ Main complaint: Very watery, runny texture that can be hard to control.
๐ŸŒธ Picky Community
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.0
Rating
Absorbs Well
Top Praise
โš ๏ธ Main complaint: Too light to use alone as a night moisturizer for dry skin.
๐Ÿ›’ Lazada
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.3
Brand Avg
Hydrating
Top Praise
โš ๏ธ Main complaint: Bottle packaging isn't a pump, which is awkward for such a runny formula.

โš–๏ธ Pros & Cons

โœ… Praised

  • Genuinely fungal-acne safe with a clean, short ingredient list
  • Doesn't sting, burn, or cause breakouts on reactive skin
  • Very lightweight and absorbs quickly
  • High level of soothing cica for redness-prone skin
  • Fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe

โŒ Criticized

  • Watery, runny texture can be tricky to dispense
  • Too light on its own for very dry skin
  • Packaging isn't a pump bottle
  • Finish can look slightly shiny rather than fully matte
  • Limited international availability outside the Philippines

๐Ÿ’ฐ Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)

82% Match
Celeteque Hydration Facial Moisturizer
~$4 Budget Pick

Another lightweight Filipino gel-moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and a low price. Less cica and no added ceramide, but a solid everyday hydrator.

68% Match
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
~$8 Budget Pick

Affordable, fragrance-free, and barrier-friendly with amino acids and HA. Richer cream texture and no cica, but great for sensitive skin.

75% Match
Meebak Cica Gel Moisturizer
~$13 Similar Formula

Shares the cica + hyaluronic acid gel concept. Free from harsh alcohols, oils, parabens, and sulfates, with a similarly light, soothing feel.

๐Ÿ”„ Comparison with Competitors

COSRX The Ceramide Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream

~$25
Hero Actives Ceramides + Cholesterol
Size 80ml
Texture Rich cream
Fungal Acne Safe No
Fragrance-Free Yes

Thank You Farmer Phyto Relieful Cica Cream

~$24
Hero Actives Cica + Ceramides + HA
Size 60ml
Texture Soothing cream
Fungal Acne Safe Varies
Fragrance-Free Yes

Dermedic Hydrain3 Ultra-Hydrating Cream-Gel

~$20
Hero Actives Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E
Size 50ml
Texture Cream-gel
Fungal Acne Safe Yes
Fragrance-Free Mostly

๐Ÿ“ฆ Storage & Shelf Life

๐Ÿ“…
Period After Opening (PAO)

12 months after opening

๐Ÿ 
Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; keep the cap closed tightly.

๐Ÿ“ฆ
Packaging

Squeeze bottle (note: formula is runny, so dispense slowly)

โœˆ๏ธ
Travel Friendly

Yes โ€” at 50ml it's under the 100ml carry-on limit

โ“ Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The formula contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreen filters โ€” the ingredients usually flagged during pregnancy. Its 10 ingredients (cica, ceramide, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, glycerin, chamomile, and supporting bases) are generally regarded as safe. As always, check with your doctor about your full routine if you're pregnant or nursing.

Yes. It has been independently verified as fungal-acne (malassezia) safe. It contains no esters, fatty acids, or polysorbates that can feed malassezia yeast, which is why it's a popular pick for people managing fungal acne breakouts.

Yes. This is a gentle, soothing gel with no actives of its own, so it layers well over vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, or exfoliating acids. Apply your treatment first, let it absorb, then press this moisturizer on top to hydrate and buffer potential irritation.

It performs best on oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin thanks to its lightweight, oil-free, fungal-acne-safe formula. Dry skin types can use it too, but may want to layer a richer cream or oil on top, especially at night.

Hydration and a soothed, calmer feel are usually immediate. Reduced redness and reactivity tend to show within 1โ€“2 weeks, while barrier strength and overall resilience build up over roughly 4โ€“8 weeks of consistent twice-daily use.

Use it as your moisturizer step โ€” after cleansing, toning, and any serums or treatments, and before sunscreen in the morning. At night it's your final hydrating step, though very dry skin can seal it with a heavier cream or facial oil.

No. With an estimated comedogenic rating of around 1/5, an oil-free gel base, and no pore-clogging ingredients, it's considered non-comedogenic and breakout-friendly. Multiple users specifically note that it doesn't cause clogged pores.

It has a Period After Opening (PAO) of about 12 months. For best results, use it within a year of opening and store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
4.0 out of 5

Verdict: The Skin Hero Cica & Ceramide Deep Hydration Gel Moisturizer is a standout budget-friendly, fungal-acne-safe option for sensitive, oily, and breakout-prone skin. Its short, clean 10-ingredient formula delivers genuine soothing from a high level of cica plus barrier support from ceramides and hyaluronic acid โ€” all in a featherlight, fragrance-free gel. The main trade-offs are its very watery texture and non-pump packaging, and the fact that very dry skin will likely want something richer on top. For anyone who struggles to find a calming moisturizer that doesn't trigger breakouts, it's an easy, affordable recommendation.

Product Overview

question
lightbulb What are Quick Product Notes?

Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.

Awesome, I Understand!

Quick Product Notes

Click on icons for more information
question
lightbulb What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?

Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging ยซpromisesยป it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.

We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.

Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you

Awesome, I Understand!

Notable Effects & Ingredients

anti-aging Anti-Aging from 3 ingredient(s):
Centella Asiatica Extract Ceramide AP Hyaluronic Acid
brightening Brightening from 2 ingredient(s):
Hyaluronic Acid Glycerin
wound Promotes Wound Healing from 3 ingredient(s):
Centella Asiatica Extract Hyaluronic Acid Glycerin
question
lightbulb What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?

Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.

We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.

One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!

Awesome, I Understand!

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Click on icons for more information
dry-skin Dry Skin
1
oily-skin Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
sensitive-skin Sensitive Skin
question
lightbulb What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?

Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.

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Ingredient Safety Breakdown

EWG Health Ratings
Low risk
Medium risk
High risk
Unknown risk
60% 40%

Product ingredient list

Showing first 5 of 10 ingredients
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1 Unknown
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
1 B
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic
anti-aging Anti-Aging
Promotes Wound Healing
Redness
Irritation
0 Unknown
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
anti-aging Anti-Aging
Hydrating
Irritation
0 Unknown
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning
brightening Brightening
anti-aging Anti-Aging
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
0 A
Pantothenic Acid
Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning
VIEW ALL INGREDIENTS