Centella Asiatica

What is Centella Asiatica?

Centella Asiatica is a small marsh plant that grows in Asia and Africa and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Its nickname “tiger grass” goes back to the legend that injured tigers rolled in it. In K-beauty it has become a star under the name cica (from “cicatrice”, scar).

The plant’s most important active compounds are four triterpenes: madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid and asiatic acid. Together they are often referred to as TECA. On the INCI list, the extract appears as Centella Asiatica Extract.

How does Centella Asiatica work on the skin?

• Soothing: Centella reduces redness and irritation, for example after sun exposure, peels or shaving.
• Regeneration: Its compounds support skin renewal and collagen production.
• Skin barrier: Centella helps the skin retain moisture and protect itself against external irritants.
• Blemishes: Thanks to its soothing effect, inflamed spots and post-acne marks look calmer more quickly.

Which skin types is Centella Asiatica suitable for?

Centella is extremely well tolerated and suits every skin type. It especially benefits:

• sensitive skin that reddens quickly – find matching products under Redness
• blemish-prone skin with inflamed spots – see also Acne & blemishes
• stressed skin after peels, retinol or too much sun
• dry skin with a weakened barrier

How to use Centella Asiatica

You’ll find centella in almost every step – from cleansers to toners and ampoules to creams. Leave-on products have the strongest effect:

1. Cleanse your face and use a cica toner or toner pads.
2. Work in a centella ampoule or serum.
3. Finish with a cica cream – apply a little more generously when your skin is irritated.

You can use centella morning and evening, every day and over the long term.

What can you combine Centella Asiatica with?

Centella goes with all ingredients and is ideal for balancing out active skincare:

• Retinol and BHA – centella reduces typical irritation
• Panthenol and ceramides for a strong barrier
• Niacinamide for blemishes and redness
• Hyaluronic acid for extra hydration

Centella Asiatica in Korean skincare

Hardly any ingredient is as closely linked to K-beauty as cica. Entire product lines are built around it – such as SKIN1004’s Madagascar Centella line, Centellian24’s Madeca creams or the cica products from VT and PURITO. Many brands advertise the percentage of centella extract, often between 50 and 100%. Our Centella Asiatica & cica skincare collection has more than 400 products.

What does the research say?

The effects of Centella Asiatica have been examined in numerous laboratory and clinical studies. A review summarises that the plant’s triterpenes can promote collagen production, have anti-inflammatory effects and improve skin hydration (Bylka et al., Postepy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 2013). How strongly a product works depends on its content of madecassoside and the other active compounds – a high percentage of “extract” alone says little about the concentration.