Lion Pose Aster & Cica Mask Reformulated: Worth Rebuying?

Reformulation Alert
The viral 2024 mask got a glow-up in 2026—but did it lose the soothing magic that made it a cult favorite?
Expert Analysis · Honest Reviews · Real Results
🔍 **The 2026 Glow-Up No One Asked For**

Remember when this mask was *the* thing for angry, reactive skin? The 2024 version was basically a cold compress in a jar. Now they’ve “improved” it. And I’m side-eyeing the whole thing.

The reformulation swapped out the old soothing complex for something lighter. Problem is — my skin felt the difference in one use. That instant “ahhh” calm? Delayed by about 15 minutes now.

🧴 **What’s Actually in the Jar**

It’s still a gel-cream mask. $34 for 3.4 oz. Claims to “strengthen skin barrier while calming irritation.” The 2024 version actually did that. The 2026 one… tries harder but lands softer.

1

Texture Shift

Gone is the bouncy gel — now it’s watery-thin. Slips off your face if you’re not lying down.

2

Scent Change

Used to smell like nothing. Now there’s a faint herbal note that lingers. Weird for a “sensitive skin” product.

3

Absorption Speed

Sinks in 8 seconds flat. But so does water. The lasting moisture? Gone in 20 minutes.

assorted plastic bottles on brown woven basket

Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash

📊 **Ingredients — The Real Tea**

They boosted the cica extract by 15% but stripped out the azulene (that’s the blue calming magic). It’s now more “green juice” than “chamomile tea” for your skin.

  • Centella Asiatica Extract (Cica): Still the star — reduces redness but slower now
  • Niacinamide 2%: Added for barrier support — smart but stings on broken skin
  • Madecassoside: Lower in the formula — less wound-healing power
  • Azulene: Removed — RIP the instant cooling effect

💬 **Texture & Two-Week Verdict**

First pump felt like cold aloe water. Spreads like a thin jelly — almost drippy. I had to use double the amount to get that “mask” feel. Not cute for $34.

Week two: My post-acne redness faded, but my dry patches stayed dry. The old version would’ve had them plump by day 3. Disappointing.

💡

One Thing: Layer it over a damp face — the thin texture actually locks in water better that way. Skip if you want a true mask experience.

⚖️ **The Real Results (No Fluff)**

Redness down 30% after 10 days. Dryness unchanged. Pores looked smaller for about 4 hours post-application. That’s it.

Buy if
You have oily, mildly reactive skin and hate thick masks
⏭️

Skip if
You’re dry, dehydrated, or want that cooling “ice pack” feeling
💰

Worth it?
Only on sale. $34 is too much for a mask that acts like a toner.

⭐ **My Honest Take**

The reformulation is a miss for anyone who loved the original’s soothing power. It’s fine for light redness, but the magic is diluted.

6.2/10
Good mask, worse than before
🛍️

Where to Buy: Soko Glam or Olive Young — grab a travel size first. Trust me.