This is kind of a tricky skincare ingredient because it actually has so many names - Cica, Centella Asiatica, Tiger Grass, and Gotu Kola are all names that this plant goes by! However, no matter what you call it, it has the same fantastic benefits for skin - here’s why Centella Asiatica is such a star skincare ingredient. 

What is Centella Asiatica?

Centella Asiatica has shot to the spotlight, featuring in many K-Beauty products!

The plant itself is actually found across most of Asia and is popular as a drink and as a health supplement. However, that’s not the only way that can benefit from this tropical plant!

Centella Asiatica gets its nickname as ‘Tiger Grass’ from tigers being observed rubbing themselves in patches of this plant to help speed up their wound healing. 

The other nickname for this, plant, ‘cica’, probably comes from the word ‘cicatrix’. Creams containing Centella Asiatica extracts are often called ‘cica’ creams, aka scar creams - and wound healing is something that this plant extract is famous for. 

But how is Centella Asiatica so good at being able to heal skin? That’s thanks to unique molecules called triterpenes. There are four major triterpenes that are linked to Centella Asiatica’s benefits: Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside and Madecassoside. 

In some cases, an individual triterpene might be isolated and listed in the ingredients list - but rest assured, if any if these appear on your skincare ingredients list, you’re in good hands!

What’s Centella Asiatica Good for?

We’ve already touched on Centella’s most famous benefit for skin - wound healing - but that’s not the only thing that Centella Asiatica can do for skin! Alongside that, here are three more reasons why you should add Cica to your skincare routine. 

Soothing Irritated Skin

Centella doesn’t just help to heal skin - it actively soothes irritation, as well, making it ideal for sensitive skin. It’s been used as a skin-soothing remedy by various cultures around the world and these effects are still recognised today - it’s incredibly effective at temporarily calming eczema flare-ups, and studies indicate that it has potential as an over the counter eczema treatment.

Reducing Inflammation 

When it comes to dealing with breakouts, something else that goes a long way to managing acne is first managing inflammation of the skin. Reducing inflammation does two crucial things - first, skin feels less itchy and more comfortable. 

Second, reducing inflammation reduces the likelihood of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, aka PIH - the dark spots left behind by acne. Centella Asiatica works by reducing inflammation thanks to it’s antioxidant abilities for calmed, less inflamed skin. 

Hydrating Skin

Studies have found that Centella Asiatica is effective at preventing trans-epidermal water loss - that’s when water literally evaporates away from the skin. Keeping skin hydrated is crucial to overall skin health - it ensures that it’s working as it should and can repair itself as it should for healthy, glowing skin.

Supporting Skin Healing

Centella Asiatica has actually been used for an incredibly long time as a natural remedy for wound healing - and the science backs it up. Studies show that Centella Asiatica extracts are able to speed up wound healing as well as minimise scarring, thanks to the collagen-boosting abilities of Centella Asiatica. 

Who Should Use It?

Looking at the benefits above, there are definitely a few skin concerns that would benefit from Centella the most - acne-prone skin and sensitive skin have the most to gain from Centella Asiatica’s soothing, healing abilities. However, that doesn’t mean that if you don’t have those issues you should give Cica a pass. 

Centella Asiatica is one of those fantastic skincare ingredients that contribute to overall skin health and can be used by pretty much every skin type, even oily skin. 

Centella Skincare Recommendations

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturiser

This is Dermalogica’s signature moisturiser for all skin types - it keeps skin feeling moisturised, without feeling heavy. It boosts skin with a blend of plant-based hydrators, including Aloe Vera and Centella Asiatica. 

This adaptable moisturiser is also formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to support a healthy moisture barrier and improve skin’s hydration levels - no matter if you have combination skin or dry skin, this is a moisturiser that your skin will love. 

Payot Pate Grise Speciale 5 Cica Drying Gel

The main goal of a spot treatment is obviously, to reduce the appearance of an active breakout. It will usually contain ingredients to target acne-causing bacteria, but also soothing ones to reduce inflammation and scarring - and the Payot Pate Grise Speciale 5 Cica Drying Gel is no exception. 

This spot treatment from Payot addresses the breakout with Glycolic Acid, but also contains Centella Asiatica to reduce inflammation. Apply daily to the active pimple until it heals - the active ingredient should ensure it disappears quickly and leaves minimal trace!

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol Free Toner

This COSRX toner features Centella as the star ingredient to soothe and hydrate skin. It’s something I would recommend in the days after a professional treatment such as peel or hydrafacial to really help skin bounce back after treatment!

Since COSRX Centella Water Alcohol Free Toner is in a spray bottle, you can either spritz this all over your face to get that hydrating goodness, or spray into a cotton round before smoothing over your face and neck. I prefer using as a facial mist! 

Mesoestetic Brightening Peel Booster

Sometimes, Cica is added to formulas that would otherwise be a bit too strong and irritating without soothing ingredients to counterbalance the effects. This peeling booster from Mesoestetic is a great example of this! 

Targeting the appearance of dark spots, this peeling booster contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids to encourage cell turnover. However, these exfoliating ingredients can cause irritation without the right safeguards in place; the Mesoestetic Brightening Peel Booster contains Cica to help hydrate skin and ward off unnecessary irritation!

Declare Stress Balance Anti-Irritation Serum

Sensitive skin may need a consistent boost to help avoid redness and stinging; that’s where the 

Declare Stress Balance Anti-Irritation Serum comes in! If you’re prone to sensitivity, Declare is a skincare brand that you should reach for. This signature serum helps to calm down angry skin thanks to a blend of ingredients - including Panthenol, plus the star of the show, Centella Asiatica. 

Tiger Grass Skincare: Key Points

In conclusion, Centella Asiatica, no matter what name you call it - Cica, Tiger Grass, or Gotu Kola - is a powerhouse ingredient that deserves a spot in your skincare routine. Its unique ability to soothe and hydrate makes it an invaluable addition to your skincare routine!

Whether you have sensitive, acne-prone, or even oily skin, the benefits of Centella Asiatica can help you keep your skin glowing and hydrated.