NEO I VIEW
Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Foam Review by Stellar

Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Foam Review by Stellar

by Stellar (ohmystellar)

This product was provided to me by Neogen for my honest review. Affiliate links are not used in this post.

You might remember that I did a review of Neogen’s Real Cica Pad a while back and really enjoyed the product. For today, I’ll be returning to that line and writing about their Micellar Cleansing Oil and the Micellar Cleansing Foam. Both of these cleansers are part of their Real Cica line, which targets both hydration and soothing for problem or sensitive skin – I’ve had good results from using Centella Asiatica products (and Cica is a version of it) so I’m pretty excited for this.

People who follow me on Instagram (or know me IRL) will know that I wear a lot of waterproof make up almost every day. It may not necessarily be heavy on my skin, but because of my allergies and being out for long hours, I will generally stick to long lasting products – foundation, eyeshadows, mascara, liner and even super heavy duty lip tints (on special days). For this reason, double cleansing is an essential part of my skincare routine and I can’t go a day without using at leastan oil cleanser.

It’s perfect, because these products that Neogen sent me had essentially completed my two step cleansing routine. I’ll discuss both of the products (and packaging) below, before delving into my own opinions on them individually. And, let’s go!

What is it?

These two cleansers are both from the Real Cica range and, while they are completely different formulas, they actually have similar descriptions. Both state that, “this cleanser includes cica, one of the biggest Korean ingredients right now, and for good reason. It’s a compressed and more concentrated version of centella asiatica and madecassoside, a popular ingredient that works to soothe inflammation and deeply hydrate skin.” You can read more about Cica as an ingredient here but, admittedly, I’m not scientific enough to know the specifics. I just know that it is really well suited for people with sensitive skin, especially those with dry skin or acne.

See below for the product descriptions taken from the Neogen Global website:

Cleansing Foam

Like a magic, it draws out all impurities, leaving the skin hydrated and healthy.
This innovative foaming cleanser with micellar technology perfectly removes away all skin impurities and makeup. Enriched skin soothing ingredients, Centella Asiatica extract and Madecassoside, combined with formula with a moderate pH (5.5-6.5), help mildly finish to a dewy and smooth skin.

Cleansing Foam acts a magnet in picking up impurities, sebum, and makeup!
Like a magnet, micellar technology captures and draws out all impurities, sebum, and dirt, leaving skin hydrating clear and soft.

Enjoy Exfoliating benefit everyday with Neogen PHA formula!
The innovative PHA formula helps very gently exfoliate even sensitive and irritated skin, while boosting skin hydration for a long-lasting dewy skin.

Cleanse skin without drying it out!
This mildly acidic cleanser helps balance your skin pH, while maintaining moisture level and skin balance

 6.76 fl.oz. / 200 ml

This product has a pH level of 6.1 (source: SokoGlam)

Whether you prefer to use oil cleansers, foam cleansers or both will be entirely up to you but I am a firm believer in double cleansing and that will always be my personal recommendation. This willalso depend on your skin type, make up routine and such.

As you can see in the above descriptions, the cleansing foam does have a pH level of 6.1. Although the optimum pH level for skin is 5.5, I have been told that the natural pH of the acid mantle can vary up to 6.2 (source). Regardless, this is a little higher than optimum but it is actually quite mild in comparison. Some foam cleansers can vary up to a pH of 9 (source) and that would definitely irritate your skin more. In using this myself, I didn’t find that this cleanser was stripping at all so I think it works pretty well!

More on that below.

Cleansing Foam – Packaging

The Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Foam comes in a standard squeeze tube with 200mL of product. The design of it is very simple and cohesive with the rest of their range (except that the pads have a reflective pink sticker). I don’t have too much to say about the packaging really. The quality is satisfactory and it’s easy to squeeze out – in part because the formula is also very liquidy. You can’t see inside of the tube, which I usually prefer, but I’m not too picky about that this time because I feel like it is easy enough to dispense and there will be no waste regardless.

The tube doesn’t come in a box but instead sealed with a plastic wrap. From both a gifting and environmental point of view, I would have preferred if they used (recyclable) paper packaging. I’m not a fan of how unboxed products look but this is personal.

Cleansing Foam – Personal Experience

I used this product as a second cleanser and, from all of the cleansers I have ever used, this feels like it is the most gentle on my skin – which is why I was a little surprised at the pH level (I was certain that it would be a 5 and not much higher). I do trust how my skin feels more than I would just judge a number though – and 6.1 is, as previously stated, still relatively low for a foam cleanser.

There is no dragging or tightness afterwards at all, and I can easily be using this every day with no irritation. After using it, skin does feel softer (though not exceptionally more hydrated) – this may be due to the gentle exfoliation. There is no manual exfoliation (i.e. no scrubs or abrasive material) in this cleanser.

As a foam cleanser, I don’t feel like it lathers up a lot so I wouldn’t use this alone to cleanse waterproof make up. It has a thinner texture that is not fully liquid (and is semi-opaque) but is also not a cream. I use around a 20 cent coin amount for my entire face. I think that it works well as a second cleanser or for people who wear less make up.

It has a light pleasant smell, but I cant exactly pick out what it is. I feel like even people who are more sensitive to scents won’t have any issue with this.

The Verdict

THE GOOD

• Easy to dispense
• Gentle on skin
• No drying, irritation or tugging afterwards
• Leaves no residue
• Light, pleasant scent

THE BAD

• Doesn’t fully remove waterproof make up
• No box packaging (not suitable for gifting)

RATINGS

• PACKAGING | 3/5
• PRICE POINT | 3/5
• SCENT | 5/5
• CLEANSING | 3/5
• MOISTURIZING | 5/5

OVERALL RATING? 7.6/10

WOULD I RECOMMEND?

I would recommend this foam cleanser for people with sensitive or dry skin, as the formula is very gentle and won’t irritate skin, but feel like it will be too gentle on its own for heavy make up wearers.