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At a glance
Meet Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream, the best-selling soothing and purifying cream in Korea for several years. Let me tell you about my experience with the product, and its “Cica” version.
Author
Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream is a genuine phenomenon in South Korea. Already a bestseller for several years, when Covid hit and especially when the obligation to wear a mask became commonplace, this soothing treatment cream has become Korea’s favorite SOS cream! I had to try it to see for myself if it lived up to its reputation 🙂
In Korea, whether you’re a young man doing his military service (still mandatory for these gentlemen), a flight attendant, or just a teenager with complicated skin, Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream is typically the product people will recommend to you.
I didn’t mention these three examples randomly, these are the categories of people who were the most enthusiastic about this product at the beginning, just after its launch and who helped transform it into a popular a few years ago in the land of the morning calm.
But as we know, sensitized skin and the tendency to break out concern many people, and even more so since Covid and its “maskne” era. So this moisturizer has seen its sales soar and it’s now one of the most popular face moisturizers in South Korea.
I’ve heard about it for years but it was Odile Monod’s video that convinced me to try it (as usual!).
My skin is like everyone else’s right now. It doesn’t love the mask, so I figured an SOS moisturizer wouldn’t hurt 😉
So in this review, I’ll introduce you to the brand Dr.G, their best-selling moisturizer the R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream and tell you about my experience with it!
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Who is Dr.G? The brand Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, presentation:
Yes, Dr. G does really exist. He’s Dr. Gun-Young Ahn, a dermatologist who works in South Korea.
Traumatized by a terrible experience with doctors after a burn when he was a kid, he decided to study dermatology to help people feel better about their skin, listening to them and treating them with humanity. He first opened his own aesthetic clinic and then developed the Dr.G. range of dermo-cosmetic products in 2000.
The Dr.G line was first used only in his clinics, but in 2006, the Hong Kong based distributor Sasa distributed them and this was the beginning of exportation for the brand!
The Dr.G brand continued to grow and, in fact, in 2018, it was acquired by a large Swiss group, Mibelle, a branch of the Swiss retail group Migros.
Dr. Gun-Young Ahn still continues to embody the brand while practicing as a dermatologist. In his spare time, he also manufactures derma-esthetic machines for acne. Definitely a man of many talents!
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In Korea, the Dr.G brand is well known for its dermo-cosmetic products, perfect for sensitive or sensitized skin. You can find them at Olive Young, the favorite cosmetic store for Koreans.
The slogan of the brand is “Healthy skin, happy skin” because the goal of Dr.G products is to care and soothe all sensitive and/or problematic skin. Dr.G is not really a brand that follows the latest cosmetic trends, but rather a “serious” brand quite pharmaceutical, which can totally compare to French parapharmacy brands, for example 😉
The most popular Dr.G product has long been their mineral sunscreen, which I’ve mentioned several times before, but most recently in my 2021 Korean Sunscreens Guide.
But now it’s the Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream that is leading the sales.
Let me introduce you to it!
Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream, product presentation:
Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream is a soothing, moisturizing and purifying cream, designed for combination to oily, sensitive or sensitized skin with a tendency to break out.
The formula is rather simple, but quite complete, and it focuses mainly on soothing and purify the skin.
In the formula, you can find:
– niacinamide: anti-oxidant, purifying, brightening… It’s a star active in cosmetics!
– the 5-Cica complex exclusive to the Dr.G brand composed of 5 ingredients around Centella Asiatica: Madecassoside, madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid and Centella Asiatica extract, which are antioxidants and very soothing, and anti-inflammatory ingredients,
– soothing panthenol,
– hydrating glycerin and beta-glucan,
– Epigallocatechin Gallate which comes from green tea, and which is very antioxidant but also purifying,
– a soothing and purifying licorice derivative.
The texture feels very nice, it’s a non-greasy gel cream, which is quickly absorbed without leaving a sticky or greasy film on the surface of the skin.
You can use it as a day, or a night moisturizer, or as an occasional treatment when the skin needs to be soothed.
The brand has a very calming approach for treating acne-prone skin, so there are no irritating ingredients in the formula (no exfoliating acids, no retinoids, etc etc).
Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream, my experience:
This summer, my skin has been giving me a hard time. I already talked about it in my previous reviews, I think my skin is a bit exhausted (like me!): it’s very dehydrated, quite sensitized and I find it a bit dull.
And last June, I also had an unpleasant breakout on my chin and cheeks. So I thought it was time to try this SOS cream.
I added it to my evening routine, as a night moisturizer (usually, that’s when I use my soothing creams; in the morning, I prefer to stick to hydration and prevention with my antioxidant ingredients).
But after a few days, I realized it was probably too light for me. My skin felt tight after a few hours. So, depending on the night, I added either an oil underneath or a moisturizing sleeping mask.
After a few weeks, I checked my skin and sadly; I realized that the Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream wasn’t really working for me…
I didn’t feel it was moisturizing enough, and I didn’t feel it was soothing enough either. Only the purifying effect seemed to work better. My small pimples had calmed down quite a bit and the healing was also faster.
But in the end, I was not really convinced… I think my skin is too dehydrated to use this product at the moment.
But when I learned the brand had released another version of this cream (which is an addition to this one in the range, it’s not a reformulation), the Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Cica Soothing Cream, I immediately ordered it in Korea so I could try it and compare it with the classic Clear version. I was still curious!
To be honest, I wanted to review this one, the Cica version, today because I actually prefer it to the Clear version.
But there is a problem. As I write this review, the Cica version released in Korea last June is still not available in the main K-Beauty e-shops. Even on eBay, there are very few sellers (I found only one with an acceptable price and reasonable shipping costs). I’m not sure why the brand doesn’t distribute this Cica version more; maybe they will in a few months but for now, unless you live in Korea, it’s very difficult to find…
So, I find the Cica version to have a much more effective calming effect on my skin compared to the Clear version. It’s still not moisturizing enough for my skin, but as far as soothing goes, it does the job!
For more information on this Cica version, you can check out the review that Odile Monod did on her Instagram account, where she talks about the formula and the innovation behind this product in more details.
I must admit that I’m a little embarrassed because I would have liked to feature the Cica version in a review, but I still thought it was worth telling you more about the classic Clear version because I’m sure a lot of people are interested in it, given its current popularity!
And the Clear version is definitely much easier to find than the Cica version 😉
In conclusion:
As you can see, the Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream left me a bit disappointed. It helped me get rid of my breakouts, but I didn’t find it comfortable or soothing enough for my skin. I can still use it if I need to, but I definitely have to pair it with another more nourishing product.
The more recent version, the Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Cica Soothing Cream, convinced me more, but for now, it’ still complicated to find…
In short, all this is a bit frustrating, I know!
But if your skin is combo to oily, not particularly sensitive and you’re looking for a treatment cream that will help you to get rid of your breakouts faster, the Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream is rather effective! And I also found it convincing on the regenerating and healing effect 🙂
The retails between $25 to $35 for 50 ml, depending on the retailers.
Product Review in detail
Summary
Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
"This recovery cream comes in a quick-absorbing gel-like texture. Formulated with madecassoside and asiatic acid from Centella Asiatica, not only does it provide moisture to soothe sensitive skin, but also boasts complexion-brightening qualities."
Recommendation
Not bad but could be better.
Price
$25 - $35
Details
Pros
- the formula is quite simple, but it contains many interesting soothing ingredients,
- the purifying effect without irritation, and with no exfoliating effect,
- combo and oily skin will appreciate its lightweight texture,
- it helps to regenerate and heal the skin faster.
Cons
- I would have preferred a packaging in a tube,
- I don't find it enough for my very dehydrated skin; I have to add a sleeping mask on top to get the comfort I need,
- compared to the new Cica version, I'm not impressed with its immediate soothing effect.
product name
R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
brand name
Dr.G
size
50ml
made in
South Korea
packaging
A simple, very pharmaceutical, white plastic jar with green and red writing.
fragrance
Fragrance-free.
texture
A melting cream gel that absorbs quickly into the skin.
For Who
All ages.
For combination to oily skin types, and especially:
– sensitive or sensitized skin, with a damaged protective barrier,
– reactive skin, which flushes easily,
– acne-prone skin.
Concerns
– redness,
– sensitized, damaged skin,
– acne-prone skin,
– feeling of discomfort because of irritation.
Method
I use Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream at night for its soothing effect, but you can use it morning and/or evening.
I take the equivalent of a small amount of cream with a spatula and apply it on my face and neck, at the end of my routine, after my serums.
I wait a few minutes and then apply a moisturizing sleeping mask on top because the Dr.G alone is not enough for me, with my very dehydrated skin.
Key Ingredients
The formula is rather simple and it focuses on soothing and purifying the skin. It contains:
– niacinamide: anti-oxidant, purifying, brightening… It’s a star active in cosmetics!
– the 5-Cica complex exclusive to the Dr.G brand composed of 5 ingredients around Centella Asiatica: Madecassoside, madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid and Centella Asiatica extract, which are antioxidants and very soothing, and anti-inflammatory ingredients,
– soothing panthenol,
– hydrating glycerin and beta-glucan,
– Epigallocatechin Gallate which comes from green tea, and which is very antioxidant but also purifying,
– a soothing and purifying licorice derivative.
Ingredients
Water(Aqua/Eau), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Niacinamide, C12-14 Isoparaffin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Pentylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Ingredients not included
– alcohol,
– fragrance,
– essential oils,
– dyes.
Shop for this product
Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream $25 - $35
Author
Hi bonnie, sorry to hear you were a bit disappointed. I really enjoy this cream on my face it really calms down my sensitive( rosacee) and oily skin.
For me it is a game changer. I use it everything night.
I’m really starting to think a few years ago, I would have loved this product! But now, my skin is definitely too dry for it, even if I still have a few breakouts 😅 I’m glad it works for you ❤️
This cream works wonders on my skin, I have been using this for almost two years now especially for the morning routine. Usually, I pair it with the Anua Heartleaf toner. (My place is everyday summer 😂). The cream does come in a tube but they usually sell it during promotion.
I have been hesitant to try the Cica Soothing Cream as there is fermented ingredient in the Cica Soothing Cream. My skin doesn’t like fermented ingredient 😔
Oh really? Sorry to read that! Which fermented ingredient-based products have you tried? 😉
Good to know for the tube packaging, thanks for the tip! 🙂