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Dr.Jart+ is a Korean skincare brand launched in Seoul in 2005 and best known for two lines: Cicapair (centella-based, for skin that looks red or feels sensitive) and Ceramidin (ceramide-based, for dry, barrier-stressed skin). A common first pick is the Cicapair Soothing Repair Gel Cream. For dry skin, start with the Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream. For daily sun protection on sensitive skin, the brand offers the Every Sun Day Mild Sun.
Dr.Jart+ has a lot of lines, so this guide sorts the products in our shop by step and by skin concern. For how creams and gels differ, read our Korean moisturizer guide; for the ingredient behind Cicapair, see Cica in Korean Skincare: What It Is.
At Daebak, a Seoul-based Korean culture and product company, product details come from each Dr.Jart+ product page and the brand's descriptions; the company facts come from the sources at the end. Patch test any new product, and stop if your skin reacts.
The brand in brief
The Korea JoongAng Daily reported in November 2019 that Dr.Jart+ launched in 2005 in Seoul and that its best-known products were the Cicapair and Ceramidin collections. The same report said the Estée Lauder Companies, which had held a one-third stake in the brand's parent company Have & Be since 2015, agreed to buy the remaining two-thirds in a deal that valued Have & Be at about 1.7 billion dollars, and that Dr.Jart+ was expected to pass 500 million dollars in net sales in 2019. TRBusiness reported the same month that the brand's founder and CEO is ChinWook Lee and that the purchase was Estée Lauder's first acquisition of an Asia-based beauty brand. Happi reported in December 2019 that the acquisition had been completed, that Have & Be also owns the men's grooming brand Do The Right Thing, and that Dr.Jart+ was sold in more than 35 countries. These figures are from 2019; the brand's current sales were not part of those reports.
Which Dr.Jart+ product for what
| You want | Start with | The brand describes it as |
|---|---|---|
| A light gel moisturizer for redness-prone or oily skin | Cicapair Soothing Repair Gel Cream | A non-sticky gel with centella, peptides and allantoin that helps reduce the look of redness; suitable for all skin types including oily and sensitive |
| A soothing serum | Cicapair Soothing Repair Serum | A lightweight, fast-absorbing serum with centella, peptides, allantoin and glycerin |
| A soothing lotion-toner | Cicapair Treatment Lotion | An essence-like lotion with centella extracts and allantoin that absorbs without a sticky feel |
| A barrier cream for dry skin | Ceramidin Moisturizing Cream | A fast-absorbing, cushiony, dermatologist-tested cream with five ceramides and panthenol |
| A milky toner for dry-feeling skin | Ceramidin Serum Toner | A rich, milky toner-serum with Ceramide NP, panthenol and glycerin |
| A light water-gel moisturizer | Vital Hydra Solution Water Cream | A gel moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide; non-greasy |
| A gentle cleanser | Dermaclear Hydrating pH Gel Cleanser | A gel-to-foam cleanser that keeps a mildly acidic pH, with beta glucan and glycerin |
| A mineral sunscreen | Every Sun Day Mild Sun | SPF 43 PA+++ with 100% physical filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) for sensitive skin |
| A sheet mask | Dermask Water Jet Soothing Hydra Solution | A cellulose mask with panthenol, betaine and aloe for dry or sensitive-feeling skin |
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Soothing Repair Gel Cream. See details.
Cicapair: for skin that looks red or feels sensitive
Cicapair products are built around centella asiatica. The Gel Cream is applied as the last step of a routine, morning and night, and the brand says it suits oily and sensitive skin. The Serum goes on after cleansing and toning, before moisturizer. The Treatment Lotion can be applied by hand or with a cotton pad. You do not need all three: a toner-type lotion plus the gel cream is a simple pair. The Gel Cream lists niacinamide and cocoa extract, so read the full ingredient list if you avoid either.
Ceramidin: for dry, tight-feeling skin
Ceramidin is the ceramide line. The Moisturizing Cream is the richer pick; the Serum Toner is applied generously after cleansing and patted in before the rest of the routine. The Serum Toner also lists essential oils and denatured alcohol, so it may not suit very reactive skin. For how barrier creams compare with gels, see the moisturizer guide.
Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Moisturizing Cream. See details.
Sun, cleansing and masks
The Every Sun Day Mild Sun is a mineral sunscreen applied as the last step before sun exposure; the brand says it leaves no white cast. Our Korean sunscreen guide covers how to apply Korean sunscreens and reapply. The Dermaclear Gel Cleanser is lathered and rinsed with lukewarm water, twice daily per the brand. The Dermask Water Jet is left on for 10 to 20 minutes after toner; see how to use a Korean sheet mask.
Bakuchiol line
The Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum contains bakuchiol, collagen peptide and glycerin; the brand says it helps improve the appearance of firmness and visible lines. It lists fragrance, so check the ingredient list if you are sensitive to it. For how bakuchiol compares with retinol, see Retinol vs Bakuchiol.
How to choose
- Red or sensitive-looking skin: begin with the Cicapair Gel Cream, then add the Serum if you want another step.
- Dry skin: the Ceramidin Moisturizing Cream first; add the Serum Toner later if you want a toner step.
- Oily skin: the Cicapair Gel Cream or Vital Hydra Water Cream are the lighter textures.
- Building a routine: add one new product at a time. For the order, see the Korean skincare routine.
Dr.Jart+ products in our shop are brand-shipped. For a seasonal mix chosen for you, the Daebak K-Beauty Box is a separate, curated option. Browse the full range in the Dr.Jart+ collection.
FAQ
What is Dr.Jart+ known for?
The Cicapair (centella) and Ceramidin (ceramide) lines, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily and Happi.
Which Dr.Jart+ product should I try first?
The Cicapair Gel Cream for red or sensitive-looking skin, or the Ceramidin Moisturizing Cream for dry skin.
Is Dr.Jart+ a Korean brand?
Yes. It launched in Seoul in 2005. Its parent company Have & Be was acquired by the Estée Lauder Companies, which completed the purchase in December 2019.
Who founded Dr.Jart+?
ChinWook Lee, who is the founder and CEO of Have & Be, according to TRBusiness and Happi.
Can I use Cicapair and Ceramidin together?
They can be layered, for example a Cicapair serum under a Ceramidin cream. Introduce one new product at a time and follow the directions on each pack.
