The Holy Grail for Angry Skin? My Honest 4-Week Review of the Physiogel Red Soothing Cica Pads
, by numberskin, 3 min reading time
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Red Soothing Cica Balance Plus AC Calming Pad (Physiogel)
Korean consumers rated it like this!!
The K-Beauty Secret: How It's Used in Korea
In Korea,
toner pads aren't just a product;
they're a whole skincare category and a daily ritual for many.
The Physiogel Red Soothing pads have become a staple, especially for those with sensitive or 'Minsung' (a Korean term for sensitive skin) types.
The 'Dakk-To' Method
The most common way these pads are used is for 'Dakk-To' (닦토),
which translates to 'wipe-off toner'.
After cleansing,
you use the textured side of the pad to gently wipe away any remaining impurities,
residue from tap water,
and dead skin cells.
It's seen as the final step of cleansing and the first step of skincare,
creating a perfectly clean and smooth canvas for the next products.
The 'Skin Pack' Hack
Another hugely popular method is using them as a 'skin pack' or a quick DIY sheet mask.
On days when the skin feels particularly irritated,
hot (especially during Korea's humid summers),
or red,
people will place the smooth side of the pads on their cheeks,
forehead,
or chin for 5-10 minutes.
It delivers a concentrated dose of the calming essence to the areas that need it most.
It's a favorite trick before applying makeup to reduce redness and ensure a flawless base.
A Staple from Olive Young
You'll find these pads prominently featured in stores like Olive Young,
often with '1+1' deals or special sets.
They consistently rank high on beauty review apps like 'Hwahae' because of their clean ingredient list and proven effectiveness for calming troubled skin.
It's a trusted product that people buy over and over again,
cementing its status as a holy grail item in the competitive K-beauty market.
Products that go well together
Build Your Ultimate Soothing Routine: Perfect Pairings
While the Physiogel Cica Pads are amazing on their own,
you can create a truly powerful barrier-repairing and calming routine by pairing them with other products from the Physiogel family.
Think of it as assembling your skin's dream team.
For Cleansing: Physiogel DMT Facial Cleanser
Start your routine right.
The DMT Facial Cleanser is a super gentle,
low-pH,
non-foaming cleanser that cleans your skin thoroughly without stripping its natural oils.
Using this before the pads ensures your skin is clean but not irritated,
making the calming effects of the Cica pad even more effective.
It's the perfect gentle start to a soothing routine.
For Extra Hydration: Physiogel Red Soothing AI Calming Gel
After using the pad,
if your skin is feeling oily or heated,
follow up with the Red Soothing AI Calming Gel.
It's a lightweight,
refreshing gel that provides instant cooling and hydration without any greasiness.
It contains the same soothing ingredients and helps to lock in the essence from the pad.
Perfect for summer or for oily/combo skin types.
For Deep Moisturization: Physiogel Red Soothing AI Cream
For the final step,
especially at night or for those with drier skin,
the Red Soothing AI Cream is the ultimate partner.
This cream is a cult favorite for a reason.
It uses the BioMimic Technology to deeply moisturize and repair a compromised skin barrier.
Applying this after the pad creates a protective,
healing seal on your skin,
allowing it to recover overnight.
Together,
the pad and cream are an unstoppable duo against redness and irritation.
This post was published by numberskin on 2025/10/18 11:35.