Cica Barrier Relief Serum

After trying the Nuna triple clay mask recently, I wanted to try more of their products. I was happy when I was offered to try this Cica Barrier Relief Serum. I have dry aging skin that has remained sensitive over the years. My discovery of Centella Asiatica in the past couple years has been a great thing - I wish I could tell younger me. This barrier relief serum comes has a centella asiatica complex which sooths red and irritated skin and provides moisture to the skins barrier. It also contains Zinc PCA, which is a must try for anyone with acne prone skin. The zinc regulates sebum production and kills acne killing bacteria. L-PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and this is the key molecule in our skin that helps with the processes of hydration and energy. Not only does it hydrate the skin, but it helps increase the efficacy and bioavailability of zinc. The listing for this product (not the photos, but the words) states it contains Niacinamide, which is generally a must for me. However, it does not contain it, at least not according to the box, nor is it mentioned in the product photos. I have plenty other products that do, as well as a serum that is pure niacinamide so it's not a deal breaker, but that should probably get fixed. It does have licorice root extract which can provide some of the same soothing and skin brightening effects. It also has houttuynia cordata, another antioxidant plant extract, that like cica can help reduce inflammation, control redness, and decrease sebum and acne. You may know it as Heartleaf instead, it is frequently combined with Cica in Korean products for sensitive skin. The serum is marketed as a gel. I was expecting it to be a little bit heavier to be honest. I have another K-beauty Cica/Heartleaf gel from a K-beauty brand at this same price point (a bit high for K-beauty in my opinion) and it is thicker and more gel like. I do like this formula. There is dual hyaluronic acid hydration. The hidden little standout ingredient here is HPR. I don't see this often. I avoid retinol for the most part, but this is the newest member of the retinoid family. It is supposed to be a gentle sister to tretinoin. So there is the possibility of some wrinkle reduction and improved skin tone over time with continued use. I do want to add, this means one should be extra proactive about wearing sunscreen as well when using it. Although we already should be. The main thing I do not like about this serum is not the weight/texture of it, it is the smell. As you can see in the ingredients it has an added fragrance and why? Our faces do not need to smell pretty. They just need to look pretty. I get it, the serum is full of acne-fighting ingredients, but why shake the bear?

(Update: changed the rating from 3 to 5 stars as this serum has been amazing across the board, I love it so much I'm repurchasing, all the complaints I had about pale into insignificance for how it has helped my skin). This serum gave me one of the most beautiful finishes I have ever seen from a skincare product. The immediate hydration is excellent, the skin looks smooth, fresh, refined, and very polished, and the texture is an absolute pleasure to use. There is real quality to this serun. Unfortunately, the formula also contains two decisions that make no sense for the role this product is trying to fill. The inclusion of a retinoid is my biggest problem. A retinoid is not niacinamide. It is not an ingredient that belongs in every formula simply because it looks attractive on the box. I already use dedicated retinoids at controlled strengths and on a deliberate schedule. I do not need another unknown retinoid dose quietly added to a serum I purchased for soothing and skin repair. Fragrance creates the same contradiction. The scent is extremely subtle though, almost undetectable, yet its presence remains unnecessary. A product aimed at irritated, reactive, or compromised skin should remove avoidable variables. My skin irritates easily, and I could not confidently use this during the exact periods when I need a truly calming serum. That is the most frustrating part: the rest of the product is amazing. It hydrates immediately, leaves the skin looking exceptionally healthy, and has one of the most elegant finishes I have experienced. I genuinely loved what it did on application. I eventually moved it from my face to my hands because my face needs complete predictability right now. The price makes the compromises harder to accept. At around $40, this enters a category filled with excellent soothing serums that do not sneak in a retinoid or fragrance. I should not have to work around the formula at this price. This could easily be a five-star product for someone actively looking for a gentle retinoid serum, unbothered by a small amount of fragrance, and comfortable paying $40. For me, it is a gorgeous product trapped inside a few wrong choices.

I’ve been using this serum consistently for about a month now, and I can definitely see a difference in my skin. My skin feels smoother, more hydrated, and overall looks healthier and more refreshed. I also love how soothing and lightweight it feels—it absorbs nicely without leaving my skin feeling greasy or sticky. After several weeks of regular use, my skin looks more even and feels softer, and I’ve noticed less dryness and irritation. A little goes a long way, so the bottle should last quite a while. I’m really happy with the results so far and will definitely continue using it!

I received the NUNA Cica Barrier Relief Serum and I thought it was a nice serum but not a must. I took it travelling since I was planning to use it in combination with the Nuna Double Phase cream. My skin is normal to oily, 40 yro with wrinkles and fine lines, and I use actives. So, I traveled to a cold, windy, and dry location and my skin felt very dry at times, so I started using the serum and then moisturizer on a damp skin, but I honestly felt I could do without the serum since I felt it wasn’t adding much. Don’t get me wrong, it is a nice thin serum, with a pleasant, floral scent, not overpowering that doesn’t peel (which sometimes happens with HA products in my experience) but this serum absorbs well, it just didn’t add enough moisture during my trip so I mostly stuck to the cream. Now that I am back in a humid/hot climate and my skin is back to normal, the serum works better but still I don’t feel it is special enough for me to want to repurchase. Now, the Double Phase cream is a WINNER and I recommend that for anyone dealing with dryness.

I am very impressed with the performance of the NUNA brand of skincare. I have a few of their products now and really love the effects on their skincare. At first I was concerned about this Cica barrier relief because it just seems so watery, but after using it just a few times I immediately saw a difference in the smoothness and brightness of my skin. I thought this serum would be more "gel like" but it's pretty loose. It is easy to get the product out with the pump. It is very lightweight. It glides onto your skin smoothly and begins absorbing right away. It doesn't leave any residue or greasy feel on my skin. Although this is advertised as having fragrance, I did not notice any kind of smell. I really appreciate that because I have very sensitive, acne-prone skin and am also very sensitive to smelly products. This serum did not cause any adverse reactions or skin breakouts when applied to my face. I really like the ingredients in this product and think it does an effective job at smoothing out sensitive skin as well as boosting hydration and providing skin barrier protection!

I’m happy I was able to try this product. It works well, and somehow the intersection between quality and beauty seems to exist here. I am, and have been, in need of barrier support. My skin doesn’t just balance itself without help. I have also been noticing that my skin can often default to dull if I’m not careful. This product doesn’t disturb the good and helps with factors that can lead to unbalance, dull complexion. I especially like the work it does on my clogged pores. I am always trying to make my pores live an unsullied, innocent existence, but that just isn’t realistic. This has helped purge impurities and make my skin less dulled by those very impurities. I see my sensitive skin a bit calmer, with less redness, due to irritation. My skin is far from perfect but I do see the “support” LOL Easy to apply, no irritation to skin, good quality pump dispenser, subtle fragranced and in a beautiful frosted wide bottom bottle that looks graceful on the vanity. Brava