Cica, AKA Centella Asiatica. What is it & Why You Should Have it in Your Skincare Routine
Known by names including but not limited to brahmi, asiatic pennywort, tiger grass and gotu kola; Centella Asiatica is a herb that has been traditionally used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
The plant's leaves are sometimes used in salads and drinks. In K-beauty products, this hydrating skin-saver is predominantly used in moisturisers labelled 'cica creams'.
U.S. brands from Estee Lauder have used it off and on in their formulations over the years—they just didn't call the products cica creams.
Centella contains many active ingredients known as terpenoids. These terpenoids include asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside.
All four of which have been researched for their skincare benefits. Madecassoside serves as an antioxidant.
There are other components in centella asiatica which have skincare benefits such as antioxidants, humectants and numerous vitamins.
With such impressive components, it's no surprise that centella is known and loved for its healing properties.
A lot of centella asiatica containing products contain the prefix "cica" which, refers to the plant's cicatrising or healing/scar-forming abilities.
Hence the existence of the cica creams we discussed earlier.
What does it do?
The plant's healing abilities seem to be due to how it can speed up skin cell production and collagen synthesis.
There is additional research showing it to be a rich source of amino acids which can help soothe upset or compromised skin whilst promoting hydration.
Other studies have shown that centella asiatica containing products can help mitigate some of the visible effects of sun damage.
That would largely be due to its antioxidant properties, a quality that may help prevent skin dulling to a certain degree by interrupting the negative processes caused by environmental stressors.
Get into it, yuh:
If you want to geek out:
LAB MUFFIN BEAUTY SCIENCE | SKINCARE INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT: CENTELLA ASIATICA