Below is every ingredient in Cica & Ceramide Overnight Repair Serum - 30ml explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%.
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its proposed ability to slow cell proliferation, thereby smoothing skin texture and acting as an anti-aging or soothing agent. It is typically incorporated as a botanical active in serums and creams.
Centella Asiatica Extract is a plant-derived ingredient rich in triterpenoids (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids) used to calm inflammation, support wound healing, and strengthen the skin barrier. It is also valued for antioxidant and collagen-supporting properties in topical formulations.
Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products.
Calendula Extract, derived from the flowers of Calendula officinalis (marigold), is used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-soothing properties. It is commonly included to calm irritated or sensitive skin and support barrier recovery.
Chamomile extract is a plant-derived ingredient (commonly from Matricaria chamomilla) used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties, largely attributed to compounds like bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It is often included to calm irritation, redness, and sensitive skin.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water is essentially inert; reactions are attributable to other formula components, not the water itself. |
| Transient skin barrier disruption from excessive exposure | Rare | Prolonged or repeated wetting can contribute to mild barrier compromise, but this relates to usage patterns rather than the ingredient. |
| Mild skin irritation | Rare | Occasional transient redness or stinging, typically in sensitive skin. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Possible in individuals with tree-nut or shea-related sensitivities, though shea derivatives are generally considered low-allergenic. |
| Comedogenicity/clogged pores | Rare | Potential in acne-prone skin, though the ester fraction is lighter than raw shea butter. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
| Mild contact irritation | Rare | Occasional redness or stinging, usually in sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Comedogenicity / clogged pores | Rare | Generally low comedogenic potential, but acne-prone individuals may occasionally react. |
| Mild irritation or stinging | Rare | Generally well tolerated; transient irritation possible in sensitive individuals. |
| Comedogenicity / acne flare | Very rare | Considered low on the comedogenic scale, but rare breakouts reported in acne-prone users. |
| Mild transient irritation or stinging | Rare | Occasional on sensitive or compromised skin |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Purified Water Solvent/vehicle | Purified water is a highly filtered, deionized water used as the primary solvent and base in most skincare formulations. It dissolves water-soluble ingredients and provides the medium in which other components are dispersed. |
| Shea Butter Ethyl Esters Emollient/Skin-conditioning agent | Shea Butter Ethyl Esters is a transesterified, liquid fraction derived from shea butter used to soften and condition the skin while providing a lighter, less greasy feel than raw shea butter. It functions primarily as an emollient and texture enhancer in cosmetic formulations. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Caprylic Capric Triglyceride Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a lightweight emollient derived from coconut or palm oil and glycerin, used to soften skin, improve spreadability, and act as a solvent for oil-soluble ingredients. It is well-tolerated and serves primarily as a base ingredient rather than an active. |
| Olive Squalane Emollient / occlusive moisturizer | Olive squalane is a hydrogenated, stable form of squalene derived from olives, used as a lightweight emollient that mimics skin's natural lipids to reduce moisture loss and improve skin softness. It is widely tolerated across skin types and serves as a base or carrier ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Xylitylglucoside Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitylglucoside is a sugar-derived humectant, typically used in combination with anhydroxylitol and xylitol, that helps attract and retain water in the skin and supports the skin barrier. It is valued for its skin-hydrating and moisturizing properties in cosmetic formulations. |
| Niacinamide Key active Cell-communicating / barrier-repair active | Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%. |
| Sodium Polyacrylate Starch Thickener / absorbent | Sodium Polyacrylate Starch is a starch-modified superabsorbent polymer used in skincare and personal care formulations as a thickening, gelling, and water-absorbing agent. It helps stabilize emulsions, improve texture, and impart a smooth feel without contributing active therapeutic effects. |
| Marula Oil Emollient / antioxidant facial oil | Marula oil is a lightweight plant oil rich in oleic acid and antioxidants (vitamin E, phenolics) used to moisturize, soften, and reduce transepidermal water loss in skin and hair. It is generally well tolerated and primarily acts as an emollient base rather than a targeted active. |
| Hemp Oil Emollient / skin-conditioning oil | Hemp oil (Cannabis sativa seed oil) is a plant-derived oil rich in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids used to moisturize, support the skin barrier, and condition the skin. It is generally well tolerated and functions primarily as an emollient rather than a high-potency active. |
| Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract Key active Anti-aging / skin-conditioning extract | Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its proposed ability to slow cell proliferation, thereby smoothing skin texture and acting as an anti-aging or soothing agent. It is typically incorporated as a botanical active in serums and creams. |
| Centella Asiatica Extract Key active Soothing/antioxidant active | Centella Asiatica Extract is a plant-derived ingredient rich in triterpenoids (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids) used to calm inflammation, support wound healing, and strengthen the skin barrier. It is also valued for antioxidant and collagen-supporting properties in topical formulations. |
| Allantoin Key active Soothing/skin-conditioning agent | Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products. |
| Anhydroxylitol Humectant / moisturizing agent | Anhydroxylitol is a sugar-derived (xylitol) humectant used in skincare to attract and retain water, helping to maintain skin hydration and barrier function. It is often combined with xylitol and xylitylglucoside to enhance the skin's natural moisturizing factors. |
| Xylitol Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used in topical formulations as a humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, and it may support the skin's microbiome and barrier function. It is generally well tolerated and considered safe for topical use. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Sodium Acrylate Copolymer Thickener/stabilizer | Sodium Acrylate Copolymer is a synthetic anionic polymer used to thicken, stabilize, and improve the texture of emulsions and gels in skincare formulations. It acts as a rheology modifier and emulsion stabilizer rather than a skin-treating active. |
| Almond Oil Emollient / skin-conditioning oil | Almond oil (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) is a plant-derived emollient rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids used to soften skin, reduce transepidermal water loss, and serve as a carrier oil in cosmetic formulations. It is primarily a base ingredient rather than a clinical active. |
| Wheat Germ Oil Emollient / antioxidant | Wheat germ oil is a lipid-rich plant oil high in vitamin E (tocopherols), essential fatty acids, and phytosterols, used to moisturize, soften, and provide antioxidant support to the skin. It functions primarily as an emollient and conditioning agent in skincare formulations. |
| Calendula Extract Key active Soothing botanical / anti-inflammatory | Calendula Extract, derived from the flowers of Calendula officinalis (marigold), is used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-soothing properties. It is commonly included to calm irritated or sensitive skin and support barrier recovery. |
| Chamomile Extract Key active Soothing/anti-inflammatory botanical extract | Chamomile extract is a plant-derived ingredient (commonly from Matricaria chamomilla) used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties, largely attributed to compounds like bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It is often included to calm irritation, redness, and sensitive skin. |
| Lecithin Emollient / Emulsifier | Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid (commonly derived from soybean or egg) used in skincare as an emulsifier, emollient, and penetration enhancer. It helps stabilize oil-and-water formulations and supports the skin barrier by mimicking natural lipids. |
| Disodium EDTA Chelating agent | Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing rancidity, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Butylated Hydroxy Toluene Antioxidant/preservative | Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT) is a synthetic antioxidant added to cosmetic formulations to prevent oxidation and rancidity of oils and fats, helping extend product shelf life. It functions as a stabilizing base ingredient rather than a skin-treatment active. |
| Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide Skin-conditioning emollient / pseudo-ceramide | Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide is a synthetic pseudo-ceramide used to mimic natural skin ceramides, helping to support the skin barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss. It functions as an emollient and moisturizing agent commonly found in barrier-repair and dry-skin formulations. |
| Hydrogenated Lecithin Emollient / Emulsifier | Hydrogenated lecithin is a phospholipid derived from lecithin through hydrogenation, used in skincare as an emulsifier, emollient, and skin-conditioning agent. It also helps stabilize formulations and form liposomes that can aid delivery of other ingredients. |
| Ceramide NP Skin-barrier replenishing lipid / emollient | Ceramide NP (formerly ceramide 3) is a naturally occurring sphingolipid that helps restore and maintain the skin's lipid barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss and improving hydration. It is widely used in moisturizers and barrier-repair formulations. |
| Cholesterol Skin barrier lipid / emollient | Cholesterol is a naturally occurring lipid found in the skin's stratum corneum that, alongside ceramides and fatty acids, helps maintain the skin barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss. In skincare formulations it functions as an emollient and barrier-repair agent that improves hydration and skin resilience. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.