Cica Cooling Sun Stick SPF50+
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
Also called "cica," it calms redness, repairs the skin barrier, and speeds up recovery. The go-to for irritated or reactive skin.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Barrier repair
A purified compound from the cica (centella) plant, laser-focused on calming inflammation and speeding up how fast skin recovers.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Barrier repair
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
Pro-vitamin B5. Deeply hydrates and helps repair the skin barrier, calming dry or compromised skin.
Good for: Hydrating, Barrier repair
A UVB filter and formula stabilizer commonly paired with avobenzone. It helps broad-spectrum sunscreen keep working in sunlight, though people with a history of sunscreen photoallergy may prefer an alternative filter system.
Good for: Sun protection
The UVB workhorse behind most chemical sunscreens: effective, well-tolerated, and found in over 90% of chemical-filter formulas in the US. Important caveat: it covers UVB only, so it always needs a UVA partner (typically avobenzone). Also banned in Hawaii and reef-sensitive areas due to coral toxicity, so check the label if environmental impact matters to you.
Good for: Sun protection
Another physical sunscreen that blocks UV. Often paired with zinc oxide for full sun protection.
Good for: Sun protection
A modern UVA filter common in Korean and European sunscreens. It fills the long-wave UVA gap that UVB-focused filters cannot cover and is valued for remaining stable during sun exposure.
Good for: Sun protection
Evidence behind the ingredients
Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.
Also called "cica," it calms redness, repairs the skin barrier, and speeds up recovery. The go-to for irritated or reactive skin.
Hur N et al., A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Assessing the Effects of Oral Centella asiatica Extract on Skin Aging-Related Parameters in Middle-Aged Korean Women, Nutrients 2026
Borowicz KK et al., Geroprotective Potential of Centella asiatica: Modulation of Cellular Aging, Nutrients 2026
Witkowska K et al., Topical Application of Centella asiatica in Wound Healing: Recent Insights into Mechanisms and Clinical Efficacy, Pharmaceutics 2024;16(10):1252 — modern hydrogel and nanostructured Centella delivery systems accelerate wound healing across wound types
A purified compound from the cica (centella) plant, laser-focused on calming inflammation and speeding up how fast skin recovers.
Liu L et al., Madecassoside Attenuated UVB Irradiation-Induced Skin Ferroptosis by Targeting POR, Phytomedicine 2026
Bandopadhyay S et al., Therapeutic properties and pharmacological activities of asiaticoside and madecassoside: A review, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2023;27(5):593-608 — comprehensive review of wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and regenerative activity
Park KS, Pharmacological Effects of Centella asiatica on Skin Diseases: Evidence and Possible Mechanisms, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2021;2021:5462633 — KR-authored review of triterpenes including madecassoside
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection
Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736 — topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin
Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration
+−5 more ingredients
Pro-vitamin B5. Deeply hydrates and helps repair the skin barrier, calming dry or compromised skin.
Gao Y et al., Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(7):e70223 — double-blind RCT (n=60): panthenol mask decreased erythema, enhanced hydration, repaired barrier vs saline
Cho YS et al., Use of Dexpanthenol for Atopic Dermatitis-Benefits and Recommendations Based on Current Evidence, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2022;11(14):3943 — Korean-authored review; dexpanthenol improves barrier and reduces severity in mild-to-moderate AD
Heise R et al., Accelerated wound healing with a dexpanthenol-containing ointment after fractional ablative CO2 laser resurfacing of photo-damaged skin in a randomized prospective clinical trial, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 2019;38(3):274-278 — RCT: dexpanthenol significantly faster wound closure vs petroleum jelly post-laser
A UVB filter and formula stabilizer commonly paired with avobenzone. It helps broad-spectrum sunscreen keep working in sunlight, though people with a history of sunscreen photoallergy may prefer an alternative filter system.
Matta MK et al. Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020;323(3):256-267 — maximal-use study measured systemic exposure to octocrylene and five other sunscreen actives.
Bens G. Sunscreens. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 2014;810:429-463 — review of organic and inorganic sunscreen filters, their spectral roles, formulation, and safety considerations.
Avenel-Audran M et al. Octocrylene, an emerging photoallergen. Archives of Dermatology. 2010;146(7):753-757 — multicenter clinical study characterized contact and photocontact allergy to octocrylene.
The UVB workhorse behind most chemical sunscreens: effective, well-tolerated, and found in over 90% of chemical-filter formulas in the US. Important caveat: it covers UVB only, so it always needs a UVA partner (typically avobenzone). Also banned in Hawaii and reef-sensitive areas due to coral toxicity, so check the label if environmental impact matters to you.
Rai R, Shanmuga SC, Srinivas CR. Update on Photoprotection. Indian J Dermatol. 2012;57(5):335-42.
Golmohammadzadeh S et al., Evaluation of liposomal and conventional formulations of octyl methoxycinnamate on human percutaneous absorption using the stripping method, J Cosmet Sci 2008;59(5):385-98 — controlled comparison, liposomal octyl methoxycinnamate SPF efficacy
Another physical sunscreen that blocks UV. Often paired with zinc oxide for full sun protection.
Polena H et al., Comparison of Visible Light-Protective Tinted Sunscreen to Untinted Sunscreen to Protect Melasma Patients During Summer: A Prospective Randomized Investigator-Blinded Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(10):e70450 — pigmentary titanium dioxide + iron oxide tinted sunscreen significantly improved pigmentation uniformity between melasma-affected and unaffected skin vs untinted (∆L*, ∆ITA°, ∆E significantly reduced; not in untinted group)
SCCS Scientific Advice on Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) (CAS/EC 13463-67-7/236-675-5, 1317-70-0/215-280-1, 1317-80-2/215-282-2), SCCS/1661/23
Ezekwe N et al., Evaluation of the protection of sunscreen products against long wavelength ultraviolet A1 and visible light-induced biological effects, Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine 2024;40(1):e12937 — the titanium dioxide 11% + iron oxide tinted product gave statistically significantly less erythema (IGA, Δoxyhemoglobin, Δa*) and less pigmentation at all time points vs unprotected irradiated skin
A modern UVA filter common in Korean and European sunscreens. It fills the long-wave UVA gap that UVB-focused filters cannot cover and is valued for remaining stable during sun exposure.
Ye F et al. Ultrafast excited-state energy dissipation pathway of diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB) via the nanoparticles. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences. 2023;22(9):2133-2142.
Serpone N. Sunscreens and their usefulness: have we made any progress in the last two decades? Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences. 2021;20(2):189-244 — review of sunscreen-filter photochemistry, spectral coverage, stability, and formulation.
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.
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