MediCube Super Cica Pads Versus MediCube Red Cream
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningBletilla Striata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicMadecassoside
AntioxidantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-26, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Bletilla Striata Root Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid
Glycerin
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDimethyl Sulfone
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial4-Terpineol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantColloidal Sulfur
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientGlucose
HumectantCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantLauryl Alcohol
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingArachidic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentDecyl Glucoside
CleansingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantGlycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Dimethyl Sulfone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitic Acid, C12-14 Alketh-12, Stearic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Allantoin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Salicylic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, 4-Terpineol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc PCA, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Colloidal Sulfur, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Myristyl Alcohol, Glucose, Coptis Japonica Extract, Tocopherol, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Oleic Acid, Limonene, Troxerutin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Levulinic Acid, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Geraniol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It can help reduce irritation and soothe the skin.
Many active components found in centella asiatica, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Research shows centella asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.
The combination of all these properties makes centella asiatica leaf extract effective at soothing the skin.
Other components of centella asiatica leaf extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.
This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica Leaf ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about Tromethamine