Centella Asiatica (Cica): Everything You Need to Know
Benefits and suitable skin types for the gentle Centella Asiatica
The popular Centella Asiatica has been a trending skincare ingredient, especially in the Korean beauty industry, as a holy grail for skin irritation. You can find this soothing ingredient in any form you need, ranging from the lightest to heaviest like toner, serum, cleanser, moisturizer, mask, and cream.
What is Centella Asiatica?
Centella Asiatica, which has been popular in the name of Cica (pronounced see-ca), has been around since many years ago. Traditionally used in various forms of Asian medicine, this herb has earned recognition for its ability to address a range of skin conditions. Centella Asiatica helps in treating several skin concerns such as minor wounds, scratches, burns, hypertrophic scars, and soothing inflammation.
The gentle Centella Asiatica improves your skin condition thanks to the actives contained in it: Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid, and Madecassoside. Some of the most popular Centella Asiatica products are SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule which helps in calming redness and irritated skin, and the Centella Sensitive Cica-Cream by Kiehl’s.
One fun fact that I want you to know is that Cica doesn’t only help with our skin, but also tiger’s skin, which also makes it get called ‘tiger grass’. This originates from its benefits to help the tiger’s wound, where they rub it against the Cica plant.
Benefits of Centella Asiatica
If the tigers can benefit from Centella Asiatica, my question is, why don’t you?
Centella Asiatica boosts cell growth and collagen production
Centella Asiatica increases the number of your skin cells and helps with collagen production. Cica promotes cellular renewal by stimulating the production of fibroblasts which plays an important role in building skin tissue. The Asiaticoside contained also strengthens the collagen structure underneath your skin. With improvement in those two foundations of youthful skin, Centella Asiatica helps your skin maintain its elasticity.
Centella Asiatica helps with wound healing
As I have mentioned in the last point, Centella Asiatica promotes the growth of new skin cells (fibroblasts) on your wounded skin while also stimulating collagen production which is essential for your skin. With an increase in those two, your wound will heal faster.
Increasing hydration
Centella Asiatica is rich in Amino Acids which play a huge role as a hydrating ingredient on your skin. Cica can also keep your skin barrier healthy to retain moisture inside, keeping your skin feeling more hydrated throughout the day.
Reducing inflammation
The rich compounds found in Centella Asiatica like Asiaticoside and Madecassoside can help your skin to lower the level of inflammatory molecules production. Thus, Cica helps calm the inflammatory process in your skin, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Which skin types suit best with Centella Asiatica?
Any skin types. But if you have acne-prone skin, Centella Asiatica might be your best friend. Sensitive skin that is easily irritated or gets redness can benefit a lot from the calming and soothing effect of Cica. Its high anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the appearance of redness and irritation. Centella Asiatica’s ability to reduce inflammation and wound healing can help treat acne and blemishes.
What to Not Mix With Centella Asiatica (Cica)
Centella Asiatica is a gentle and mild ingredient that won’t cause you trouble if you want to use it together with active ingredients such as vitamin C or niacinamide. It has a soothing effect that can help your skin to take the actives better. Even though Centella Asiatica is mostly safe to use with other ingredients and known as a gentle ingredient, your skin might still have a different reaction. Remember to always do a patch test before incorporating it into your routine.
