Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foaming Cleanser
Sensitive Skin Daily Cleanser
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Sulfate-free surfactant system (sodium cocoyl isethionate) cleanses without stripping the barrier
- +Completely fragrance-free and essential oil-free — a rarity in the Dr. Jart+ lineup
- +Micro-dosed enzymes provide gentle exfoliation suitable for daily use on sensitive skin
- +Centella asiatica with all four triterpenoids soothes during the cleansing step
- +Probiotic ferment supports skin microbiome balance during cleansing
- +Glycerin and panthenol prevent post-wash tightness and dryness
- −May not feel deep-cleansing enough for oily skin or heavy makeup removal
- −100 mL tube is small and runs out quickly with twice-daily use
- −Enzyme exfoliation at 0.2 ppm is too mild to address significant texture or pore concerns
- −Price premium over drugstore gentle cleansers for comparable cleansing performance
- −Not effective as a sole cleanser for removing waterproof makeup or heavy sunscreen
The full review.
Many skincare enthusiasts spent years using products that left skin feeling ‘squeaky clean’—a tight, dry sensation that actually signals a stripped, depleted skin barrier. The Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser addresses this issue for those realizing their cleanser causes redness, tightness, and irritation.
First, note what this cleanser lacks: sulfates, fragrance, alcohol, and essential oils. This is a departure for Dr. Jart+, a brand that often includes essential oils even in sensitivity-focused formulations. The Cicapair Enzyme Foam Cleanser is one of the most genuinely gentle cleansers the brand has produced.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate forms the surfactant backbone. Cosmetic chemists call it ‘baby foam’ because it is exceptionally mild. This coconut-derived ingredient produces a creamy, dense lather that cleans without disrupting the lipid barrier like harsher surfactants (SLS, SLES). The supporting surfactants—coco-betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, and sodium methyl cocoyl taurate—are also gentle, amphoteric or mild anionic types that provide cleansing power without irritation.
The ‘enzyme’ label comes from two micro-dosed enzymes: lipase and protease, both at 0.2 ppm. Lipase breaks down excess sebum and oil-based impurities, while protease dissolves dead skin cell proteins. At 0.2 ppm, exfoliation is so gentle it is invisible during daily use; you will not feel tingling, grit, or active exfoliation. Effects accumulate subtly over weeks, smoothing texture and clearing skin without the irritation of dedicated chemical exfoliants.
Centella asiatica extract and its four triterpenoids (madecassoside, asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid) are throughout the formula, maintaining the Cicapair line’s anti-inflammatory signature. While brief contact time limits how much the skin absorbs, these actives ensure the cleansing step soothes rather than aggravates irritated skin.
The inclusion of a probiotic ferment (streptococcus thermophilus) supports the skin’s microbiome. Cleansing often washes away beneficial bacteria along with dirt and oil; this ferment helps maintain microbial balance. Panthenol adds hydrating and anti-inflammatory support, and glycerin—the second ingredient—leaves a moisture-retaining film instead of a dry, tight feeling.
The cleanser performs as described: creamy, gentle, and undramatic. Squeeze a small amount, work it into a soft lather with wet hands, massage onto the face for 30-60 seconds, and rinse. Skin feels clean, smooth, and comfortable—not tight, dry, or irritated. It removes daily grime, light sunscreen, and surface oil, but it won’t dissolve waterproof makeup or heavy mineral sunscreen alone. Use an oil cleanser first for those.
The 100 mL tube lasts about 6-8 weeks with twice-daily use. At approximately $28, it costs more than drugstore gentle cleansers but competes with mid-range K-beauty cleansers. Value depends on your need for a fragrance-free, enzyme-enhanced formula; if you need a tolerable cleanser, the Cicapair Enzyme Foam may end the search.
This product won’t transform skin overnight or provide dramatic social media before-and-afters. It simply cleans your face without causing harm. In a market where many cleansers damage the skin, this quiet competence is valuable.
Formula
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water/Eau, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Coco-Betaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Peptide, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Aspergillus Ferment, Triticum Aestivum (Wheat) Seed Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Coco-Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextrin, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lipase (0.2Ppm), Protease (0.2Ppm), Dipropylene Glycol, Calcium Chloride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Madecassoside, Magnesium Sulfate, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
The Cicapair Enzyme Foam Cleanser's gentleness is rooted in its surfactant selection. Sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) is an anionic surfactant with a significantly lower irritation potential than sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). A study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2003) compared the irritation potential of various surfactants and found that SCI produced significantly less barrier disruption and transepidermal water loss than SLS, making it suitable for sensitive and compromised skin.
The enzyme system — lipase and protease at 0.2 ppm each — provides a biological approach to exfoliation. Lipase catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides in sebum, breaking down excess oil without stripping the barrier lipids (ceramides, cholesterol) that the skin needs. Protease cleaves peptide bonds in desquamating corneocytes, facilitating gentle removal of dead skin cells. At 0.2 ppm, these enzyme concentrations are far below the levels used in clinical enzyme peel treatments, providing daily-safe exfoliation that accumulates gently over time.
The streptococcus thermophilus ferment represents the formula's microbiome-conscious approach. Research published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2010) demonstrated that topical application of S. thermophilus lysate can increase ceramide production in the skin, potentially supporting barrier function during the cleansing step that typically disrupts it.
Centella asiatica's anti-inflammatory triterpenoids — asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid — have been shown to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production and promote collagen synthesis. While the brief contact time of a cleanser limits absorption compared to leave-on products, the soothing effects during the cleansing process help prevent the irritation response that many foaming cleansers trigger in sensitive skin.
References
- Comparative irritation potential of surfactants on skin — International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2003)
- Streptococcus thermophilus and ceramide production in skin — International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2010)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists consistently emphasize that gentle cleansing is foundational for managing redness-prone and sensitive skin, and this cleanser aligns well with that clinical principle. Board-certified dermatologists note that sodium cocoyl isethionate is among the mildest effective surfactants available, and the absence of fragrance, essential oils, and sulfates makes this cleanser suitable for even reactive skin types. The enzyme component is viewed as a bonus — providing mild exfoliation at safe concentrations — rather than a primary treatment mechanism. Dermatologists typically recommend this type of cleanser as a second cleanse in a double-cleansing routine, paired with an oil-based first cleanse for thorough yet gentle makeup and sunscreen removal.
Guidance
Where it fits in your routine.
Wet your face with lukewarm water. Squeeze a small amount (about the size of a cherry) into wet hands and lather between palms until a soft foam forms. Gently massage the foam onto your face in circular motions for 30-60 seconds. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use morning and evening. For PM, follow an oil cleanser for complete double-cleansing.
At about $28 for 100 mL, the Cicapair Enzyme Foam Cleanser costs a moderate amount for a K-beauty cleanser. A mini size exists for trial. The price exceeds drugstore gentle cleansers, but the fragrance-free, enzyme-enhanced, centella-infused formula is different. For sensitive skin types who have used many irritating cleansers, the premium for this gentle option makes sense. The 100 mL size lasts 6-8 weeks — roughly $14-19 per month for twice-daily use.
This cleanser works for sensitive, redness-prone, or easily irritated skin that needs a gentle foam without stripping the barrier. It is a fragrance-free option in the Cicapair line that uses subtle enzyme exfoliation to keep skin texture smooth.
People with very oily skin needing a deep-cleansing foaming wash, those who prefer a strong lather or "squeaky clean" feeling, and budget-conscious shoppers can find comparable gentleness in less expensive drugstore options.
Product details.
Fragrance-free. Natural botanical extracts provide a faint, clean scent, but the formula has no added fragrance or essential oils.
A squeezable tube uses a flip-top cap. The 100 mL size is standard for K-beauty cleansers. A 30 mL mini size is also available.
The cleanser lathers more gently than expected on first use, without heavy foam. The lather is soft and creamy. Rinsing leaves skin clean without a stripped or tight feeling. It causes no tingling, stinging, or irritation. Enzyme exfoliation is imperceptible during use but smooths skin texture over time. ***
6-8 weeks with twice-daily use ***
12 months ***
All Year ***
The backstory.
The Enzyme Foam Cleanser extended the Cicapair line beyond treatment products into the cleansing step, reflecting the K-beauty philosophy that gentle, skin-appropriate cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. It was designed specifically for the sensitive, redness-prone skin types who use Cicapair treatments, ensuring the cleansing step doesn't undo the calming work of the rest of the routine.
About Dr. Jart+
Established Brand (5–20 years)Dr. Jart+ was founded in 2004 by dermatologist Jung Sung-jae in South Korea and is now owned by Estée Lauder Companies. The Cicapair line is built around centella asiatica and is among K-beauty's most recognized ranges for sensitive, redness-prone skin.
Common myths.
Foaming cleansers always strip and irritate sensitive skin.
Surfactants determine harshness, not foam. This cleanser uses sodium cocoyl isethionate — a mild, coconut-derived surfactant — instead of SLS or SLES. The foam works for daily use on sensitive and compromised skin.
Enzyme cleansers exfoliate as effectively as chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs.
At 0.2 ppm, the lipase and protease enzymes in this cleanser provide very mild, gradual exfoliation — nowhere near the intensity of a glycolic acid or salicylic acid product. The enzymes dissolve surface-level dead skin and excess sebum, but they won't replace a dedicated exfoliant for concerns like acne, texture, or hyperpigmentation.
What the community says.
"Extremely gentle — no tightness or dryness after cleansing"
"Creamy lather that feels soothing on sensitive and irritated skin"
"Sulfate-free formula doesn't strip the skin barrier"
"Good second cleanser for double-cleansing routines"
"May not feel deep-cleansing enough for oily skin or heavy makeup removal"
"Small 100 mL tube runs out quickly for twice-daily use"
"Price is higher than comparable gentle cleansers at the drugstore"
"Enzyme exfoliation is too subtle to notice significant textural changes"
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