Elemis Cica Calm Collection

[samples/affiliate] If redness or irritation is an issue for your skin, cica has the reputation for being able to calm it right down. You will have seen Cica Creams around, but they’re so named because they contain Centella Asiatica, a plant widely used in both traditional medicine and skin care. Cica is the common name for this ingredient, along with gotu kola and tiger grass so I feel sure it will be already familiar to you in one form or another. Elemis’s new skin care collection is interesting because as well as cica, they’re also using another favourite now-trend ingredient – ferments.

Without having redness or sensitivities (at the moment – look what happened when I said I didn’t have an itchy, flaky scalp!) myself, I can’t assess on that front, but I’m very fond of a micellar cleanser, and this foaming version feels fresh and effective on my skin.

It’s rather a loose and wet foam – over a sink or in the shower only, I would say. I like a micellar for a TV cleanse with a cotton pad but this is more a cleansing cloth and bathroom variety. It’s more of a skin sweeper than a make-up remover but didn’t leave my complexion dry at all so to my mind, it’s an excellent, soothing morning cleanse or post gym calmer. Ingredients included are: cica, fermented green tea seed oil, fermented rice water, mango, olive, fermented agave and vegan kefir. You couldn’t make a more 2020 product if you tried! At £25 I think it’s quite pricey to be honest.

The Cica Calm Hydration Juice is cooling on contact with the skin and smells beautifully fresh. However, I just didn’t find it as moisturising as I thought I would. It feels a bit like a hyaluronic serum and despite indisputably increasing hydration, sometimes they don’t feel all that immediately moisturising either. The claim on visibly calming the skin isn’t one I can substantiate because my skin is fine but I used it under my morning tinted moisturiser and my complexion did feel exceptionally smooth. In fact, once the slight tackiness dries off (seconds) the sensation you’ll be most aware of is smoothness. In terms of key ingredients, it’s cica, organic aloe, organic cucumber, green mandarin and kiwi fruit waters… I’d probably drink that if I was served it :-). Again, I find this pricey at £40 but can see its place in the market particularly for those who don’t need or like heavier creams.

Elemis is notorious for its amazing QVC deals – I’m tempted to suggest that you hang fire until there is some sort of offer or bundle on this collection. I like it, but think you might go through it much more quickly than anticipated. I’ve got a code for 15% off – CICA15 if that’s helpful in your decision making. The collection is HERE, non affiliate HERE. I should mention that the lunch bag in the pictures is a gift from the brand and not available to buy (but who knows, it might appear on a QVC deal) but the illustrations are by Gretchen Roehrs who uses fruit and veg to create these kooky creatures. As someone who has been putting lashes on lemons since 2008, I’m all in for it!