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Strengthening the skin barrier is a claim we hear quite often these days, and the SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream is no exception. Now there are different ways a product could aim to do that, and one of them is by replacing the skins lipids needed to form that healthy barrier.

Or, as the website puts it, by “cloning the lamellar structure of skin barrier cells”, which to me sounds kind of odd – I was already 17 when dolly the sheep was cloned, so during my formative years cloning was something evil people did in books, not what I would want my face cream to do.

That slightly weird feeling aside, I really enjoyed the product and today I wanted to tell you why.

What the SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream claims

Firms skin texture and strengthens the skin barrier by cloning the lamellar structure of skin barrier cells, the healthy foundation of skin lipids. Contains skin-friendly seed oils that enhances absorption of highly nutritious essence to soothe dry skin. High-concentration cream with an advanced formula that gently adheres to the skin and leaves a silky finish.

Facts about the SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream

Prize and size

One pot contains 50 ml and is available for 15 $ on the website here. There is also a trial size containing 15 ml, available for 10$. It comes with a spatula that I of course immediately lost.

Texture and smell

Just like the other Probio-Cica products I have tried the cream has no scent. When you open the jar, it looks a little like whipped cream and much richer than it actually is.

How to use the SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream

Depending on your skin type, the cream could be used morning, night or both. Even on my combination oily skin, using it in the mornings is possible during the cold, although I prefer it at night. It has some tackiness, but didn’t pill and leaves my skin really soft, but without that silicone slip some products have. (More info: Does every skin need a moisturizer? and Everything you need to know about the benefits of silicones in your skincare)

Ingredients of the SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream

Centella Asiatica Extract so|aox|h, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Diglycerin sii|h, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Water solv, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate emu, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride emo, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate emo, Isostearyl Isostearate emo 1 4, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate emo|emu|surf 0 2, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin) emo|vc, Heptyl Undecylenate emo, Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 emo, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1–2, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter emo|vc, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate emu, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer vc, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate emo|emu, Arginine sii, Stearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 2 2, Polyisobutene vc, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside emu|surf, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Sodium Surfactin surf|emu|vc, Sodium Polyacrylate vc, Acrylates/C 10-30 Alkyl, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Carbomer vc 0 1, Hydroxystearic Acid surf|emu|surf, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Adenosine cci, Hydrogenated Lecithin emo|emu, Sorbitan Oleate emu 0 3, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside surf, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil emo, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil emo, Sodium Phytate chel, Ceramide NP sii, Dextrin vc|h, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer h|vc, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glucose h, Stearic Acid emo|vc 0 2–3, Phytosphingosine sii|cci|aacne|amic, Madecassic Acid , Asiaticoside aox|perf, Sucrose Distearate emo|emu|surf 2 0, Asiatic Acid , Lauric Acid aacne|surf|emu 1 4, Phytosterols, Polyglutamic Acid h

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Not that it contains silicones – when looking at the ingredient list, you will find humectants like Glycerin, a bunch of different emollients to smooth the skins surface and Shea Butter as well as Squalane to combat dryness. For the soothing and repairing there is Centella Asiatica, present as extract, as fermented extract and as its active ingredients Madecassoside, Asiactic Acid and Asiaticoside added separately, Niacinamide and then Adenosine to increase wound healing. (More info: The benefits of emollients in skincare explained, The benefits of Niacinamide in skincare explained and The benefits of Centella Asiatica in skincare explained)

Now which part does the cloning? I assume that the combination of Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine and Caprylic/ Capric Triglycerides, all of which are naturally present in the skin, will replace what is missing there. (More info: The benefits of Ceramides in skincare explained)

More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare products

Does it live up to its claims?

Yes.

At least the ones I understand, as I am pretty sure they don’t actually clone anything. But I do feel it is deeply nourishing and contains barrier repairing ingredients.

How does it compare to…

Murad Daily Defense Cream

The Murad Daily Defense Cream is the richer sister of the SKIN1004 version, with Colloidal Oatmeal for extra soothing, but lacking the Centella Asiatica Extract. It is a little too much for my skin type, for which the slightly lighter SKIN1004 one is better.

You can read my full review of the Murad Daily Defense Cream here.

107 Everyday Plump Hydro Cream

The 107 version features a ton of soothing ingredients, but no Ceramides or other things aimed at repairing the skin barrier. There are fermented ingredients that I really enjoy though (More info: The benefits of fermented ingredients in skincare explained) The Everyday Plump Cream has no tackiness at ll, but other than that both are comparable in texture and how they work for my skin type.

You can read my full review of the 107 Everyday Plump Hydro Cream here.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

The First Aid one is a cult favorite for many and is often recommended for those with eczema or irritated skin. While I am not sure about the eczema recommendation as it contains essential oils, it is great for when your skin gets dry and needs some protection. (More info: Is fragrance in your products dangerous?)

You can read my full review of the Firt Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream here.

fresh Black Tea Corset Cream

I need to start this by saying that the fresh Black Tea Corset Cream has a beautiful texture and is a pleasure to use, but is also extra expensive, much too expensive for me to repurchase. It claims to firm and lift, but in my opinion wouldn’t be able to do that more than any other cream. Ingredientwise it has fermented ingredients as well as Tea Extract and a peptide claiming to have a relaxing effect on the skin.

You can read my full review of the fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream here.

Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream to?

While it is hard for me to fall in love with a moisturizer, I do enjoy the SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Enrich Cream due to its lovely texture that is more lightweight than I thought. While it surely isn’t the best for oily skins, those with normal to dry skins will get along with it very well.

Shop SKIN1004 skincare here

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