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Dr. Althea Cica Skin Calming Toner
Dr. Althea

Dr. Althea Cica Skin Calming Toner

Efficacy33/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
Hydrogenated lecithin, Cholesterol
Cleanses gently

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (hydrogenated lecithin) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Hydrogenated lecithinEffect: HighHelps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.~0.1–0.45%
CholesterolEffect: High, below effective doseAn emollient that is naturally found in skin~0.05–0.3%
Exfoliation
Allantoin
Not delivered

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.5–1.2%
Anti-blemish
Centella asiatica extract, Allantoin + 1 more
Not delivered

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Centella asiatica extractEffect: LowA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.85%
AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.5–1.2%
Camellia sinensis leaf extractEffect: Low, below effective doseCan contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation~0.15–0.65%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Rosmarinus officinalis extract
Medium risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Rosmarinus officinalis extract—High~0.1–0.3%est.
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~2–3%est.
Centella asiatica extractA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.Medium85%
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.5–1.1%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Spirulina maxima extract—3/5~2–3.1%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Butylene glycol~5.7–8.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
1,2-hexanediol~2–3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Glycerin~2.8–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Spirulina maxima extract~2–3.1%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
More about Spirulina maxima extract
Centella asiatica extract85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-blemish

A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.

More about Centella asiatica extract
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~1.4–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryEvens skin tone

A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening

More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizate
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Allantoin~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-blemishReduces rednessExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Citric acid~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Sodium citrate~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Sodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
AntibacterialAnti-oxidationAnti-agingMoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-blemish

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

More about Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.

More about Hydrogenated lecithin
Rosmarinus officinalis extract~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Rosmarinus officinalis extract
Ceramide np~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritation

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide np
Cholesterol~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally found in skin

More about Cholesterol
Houttuynia cordata extract~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Houttuynia cordata extract
Ingredient list view

Water, Butylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Glycerin, Spirulina maxima extract, Centella asiatica extract, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Disodium edta, Allantoin, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Sodium hyaluronate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Hydrogenated lecithin, Rosmarinus officinalis extract, Ceramide np, Cholesterol, Houttuynia cordata extract

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Dr. AltheaCica Skin Calming TonerYOUR PRODUCTskintificCeramide Low pH Cleanser Facial WashNaturiumThe Calmer Ceramide Body Washthe Torriden StoreDive in Skin Booster Lotion Hydratante
Match—36%34%33%
Price$27.00$11.90−$15.10$14.15−$12.85$26.86
Shared key ingredients—6 of 105 of 105 of 10
Key difference—Salicylic AcidCeramide EopPhytosphingosine
Irritancy Medium Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediolsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Titrated Extract of Centella asiatica in Phthalic Anhydride-Induced Allergic Dermatitis Animal Modelmdpi.com
  4. 4
    Centella asiatica in cosmetologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Triterpene Composition and Bioactivities of Centella asiatica mdpi.com
  6. 6
    Asiaticoside induction for cell-cycle progression, proliferation and collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblastsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Dr. Althea Cica Skin Calming Toner
Dr. AltheaCica Skin Calming Toner
Buy at Soko Glam$27.00Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Soko Glam$27.00Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.