Cica Daily Concentrated Repair Cream
Cica Daily Concentrated Repair Cream
Product Description
Product overview
Uriage Cica Daily Concentrated Repair Cream is a rich, velvety barrier-repair concentrate that hydrates and rebuilds weakened, sensitive skin from the very first application. Powered by Uriage's 10.5% Thermal-Biotic Complex (Thermal Water + Inulin prebiotic), Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and safflower-derived ceramides, it soothes redness, refines texture and reinforces the skin barrier — all fragrance-free, 96% natural origin, and in Uriage's first-ever refillable format.
Triple Barrier Repair
The 10.5% Thermal-Biotic Complex targets the skin's physical, immune and microbiome barriers at once for a true "bandage" effect.
Texture & feel
SENSORYTriple Barrier Repair
The 10.5% Thermal-Biotic Complex targets the skin's physical, immune and microbiome barriers at once for a true "bandage" effect.
Centella + Ceramides
Centella Asiatica soothes and regenerates while safflower-derived ceramides reseal the lipid barrier and lock in moisture.
Deep, Lasting Hydration
Hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol attract and hold water to plump dehydration lines and relieve tightness.
Eco-Refillable First
Uriage's first refillable product — keep the outer case and swap in a lower-cost eco-refill to cut packaging waste.
Safety & compatibility
SAFENo retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens. Generally considered safe — confirm with your doctor.
Contains fatty-acid esters and emulsifiers (glyceryl behenate, ceramide esters, distearates) that may feed malassezia.
Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and dermatologically tested for high tolerance on weakened or stressed skin.
Pairs well with most routines. Apply after water-based serums; can buffer and follow retinol or acids at night.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract Repair complexProven
The signature "cica" actor. Rich in madecassoside, asiaticoside and amino acids, it soothes irritation, calms redness and supports the skin's natural repair process — the core of the product's barrier-rebuilding claim.
- Source: Studies show centella can increase Type I collagen by stimulating fibroblast activity.
- Source: Madecassoside has been shown to help reduce UV-induced inflammation in early research.
Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) HumectantProven
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, with a smaller molecular size that lets it sink in and hold water in the upper layers of skin to plump fine dehydration lines and relieve tightness.
- Source: Naturally present in skin; binds many times its weight in water as a humectant.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5) SoothingProven
Pro-vitamin B5 attracts and retains moisture while calming irritation, making it a staple for sensitive, compromised or post-procedure skin.
- Source: Acts as a humectant and has well-documented anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing properties.
Inulin (Prebiotic) Part of 10.5% complexPromising
A plant-derived prebiotic that, combined with Uriage Thermal Water, forms the 10.5% Thermal-Biotic Complex to help rebalance the skin's microbiome barrier.
- Source: Research suggests topical inulin can help support the skin's natural microbiota.
Squalane EmollientProven
A lightweight, skin-identical emollient that softens, reduces water loss and adds antioxidant protection — non-irritating even at high concentrations.
- Source: Research shows squalane is non-irritating and suitable for sensitive skin even at 100%.
Ceramide Esters (Safflower / Palm) Barrier lipidPromising
Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters act as a ceramide-style lipid that helps reseal the barrier and reduce moisture loss — a key reason this cream suits dry, cracked skin.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) AntioxidantProven
A fat-soluble antioxidant that defends the skin's lipid barrier against free radicals and helps stabilise the rest of the formula.
- Source: Vitamin E supports the lipid barrier and offers mild added protection against UVB damage.
24 ingredients
1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEUse as your final moisturising step, after serum, morning and night. In the AM, always finish with sunscreen.
How to use
HOW TO USECleanse
Start on clean, dry skin to give the cream a fresh canvas to work on.
Treat
Apply any water-based serums or targeted treatments first and let them absorb.
Apply a Thin Layer
Warm a small amount between fingertips and press into the face and neck using gentle upward motions. Avoid the eyes.
Protect
In the morning, always follow with a broad-spectrum SPF as your last step.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You have dry, sensitive or sensitised skin
- Your barrier feels weakened, tight, red or reactive
- You want a fragrance-free, high-tolerance moisturiser
- You like the idea of eco-friendly refillable packaging
- You're recovering from over-exfoliation or harsh actives
Consider alternatives if:
- You're prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
- You have very oily skin and want a lightweight gel
- You're on a tight budget (premium pricing)
- You want active exfoliation, retinol or strong actives
- You prefer a fast, matte, weightless finish
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESRich, ceramide-loaded texture deeply nourishes and relieves tightness and flaking.
Fragrance-free, allergen-free and dermatologically tested for high tolerance.
Hydrating and balancing, though the rich texture may feel like a lot on oilier zones.
Comfortable daily moisturiser with barrier and antioxidant support.
Low comedogenic risk, but oil-based esters make it not fungal-acne safe; a lighter gel may suit better.
Results timeline
8+ WEEKSComfort & Soothing
Skin feels instantly calmer and more comfortable, with reduced tightness from the first application.
91% noticed improved skin qualitySmoother, Calmer Skin
Redness and rough patches begin to settle as the barrier starts to rebuild with daily use.
Most users report softer skinRepaired & Even
After the 28-day use test, tone looked more uniform and texture more refined.
83% saw more even tone & textureResilient Barrier
With continued use, skin feels stronger against daily aggressions and stays hydrated for longer.
Sustained barrier supportRatings by platform
710+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Fast, visible soothing of redness and irritation
- Fragrance-free and very gentle on reactive skin
- Ceramides + centella + HA in one barrier cream
- Non-sticky, comfortable velvety finish
- Refillable, eco-conscious packaging
Criticized
- Premium price for a 50ml size
- Not fungal-acne (malassezia) safe
- Rich texture may be too much for oily skin
- Refill stock can be inconsistent by region
- No active exfoliants or anti-aging actives
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPESPanthenol + madecassoside soothing balm with shea butter. Thicker, more occlusive and great value, but lacks the ceramide and prebiotic complex.
Soothing repair cream with copper-zinc and centella. Lighter and cheaper, but less focused on long-term barrier and microbiome support.
Postbiotic C+ Restore complex with copper-zinc for irritated, post-procedure skin. More healing-focused; lacks hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDEDr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream
Storage & shelf life
6 MONTHS6 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
Recyclable refillable tube with eco-refill insert.
Yes — 50ml fits within carry-on liquid limits.
Frequently asked questions
FAQYes, it is generally considered pregnancy- and breastfeeding-friendly. It contains no retinoids, no salicylic acid, no hydroquinone and no chemical sunscreen filters. The only acid present is citric acid, which sits at the end of the list as a pH adjuster rather than an active exfoliant. As always, check with your doctor about your full routine.
No. The formula contains several fatty-acid esters and emulsifiers — glyceryl behenate, pentaerythrityl distearate, polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate and the safflower/palm ceramide esters — that can feed malassezia yeast. If you're prone to fungal acne, a simpler gel or a fungal-acne-safe moisturiser may be a better fit.
Yes. Because it's a gentle, fragrance-free barrier cream, it pairs well with most actives. It can be layered over a vitamin C or hyaluronic serum, and it makes an excellent buffer or "after" moisturiser following retinol or AHA/BHA at night to reduce irritation. Introduce new actives gradually and patch test.
It's best for dry, sensitive, sensitised or barrier-compromised skin that needs soothing and repair. Normal and combination skin will also enjoy it, especially in colder months. Very oily or fungal-acne-prone skin may find the rich, ceramide-heavy texture less suitable.
Comfort and soothing are often felt immediately — Uriage reports 91% of users saw improved skin quality after a single application. Visible improvements in tone and texture build over about four weeks, with 83% reporting more even tone and refined texture in the brand's 28-day use test.
Use it as your moisturising step, after cleansing, toner/thermal water and any serums. Apply a thin layer morning and night. In the morning, always finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen as the final step.
Its comedogenic risk is low, around 1 out of 5. The main emollients (squalane, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dicaprylyl ether) are generally non-pore-clogging. Note that "low comedogenic" is not the same as "fungal-acne safe" — this cream is low-comedogenic but not malassezia safe.
Plan to use it within about 6 months of opening (the typical PAO for this style of barrier repair cream). Always refer to the period-after-opening symbol on your specific packaging, store it cool and dry, and keep the lid closed to protect the formula.
Verdict: Uriage's Cica Daily Concentrated Repair Cream is a thoughtfully formulated, fragrance-free barrier repair cream that brings centella, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, ceramides and a prebiotic microbiome complex together in one rich, comforting cream. It excels at soothing and rebuilding dry, sensitive and stressed skin, and the refillable packaging is a welcome eco-conscious touch. The main trade-offs are a premium price for 50ml and the fact that it's not fungal-acne safe — but for dry, reactive or barrier-compromised skin, it's a standout French-pharmacy choice.
Product Overview
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.
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.
Quick Product Notes
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 «promises» 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.
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
Notable Effects & Ingredients
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.
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!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
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.
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.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
1,2-Hexanediol
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Viscosity Controlling, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming
|
|
|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 1 |
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Perfuming, Emollient
|
|
|
| 1 |
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
|
Promotes Wound Healing
|





