Centella Asiatica

Centella Asiatica is also known as Centella, Gotu kola, kodavan, Indian pennywort, and Asiatic pennywort. Centella Asiatica is a perennial herb that is a part of the flowering plant family Apiaceae. Apiaceae or Umbelliferae is a family of plants commonly known as the celery, carrot, or parsley family, or simply as umbellifers.

Centella Asiatica is native to warm, moist, and tropical climates such as China, Japan, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the South Pacific. The plant has no taste or smell and has small fan-shaped green leaves with white or light purple-to-pink flowers and small oval fruits.

It has been used for centuries in Asia and in Africa as a medicinal herb.  Centella has amino acids, beta carotene, fatty acids, and numerous potent phytochemicals that speed wound healing, assist in collagen production, calm inflammation, stimulate new cell growth, and soothe the skin.

Centella Asiatica has in recent times been popular in South Korean skincare and is commonly sold or known as Cica creams. Western skincare companies have used Centella Asiatica too however the marketing of the creams didn’t pay tribute much to Centella Asiatica.

The soothing benefits of cica creams are a staple for the skincare cabinet.

Thanks to the active antioxidant compounds of madecassoside and amino acids Centella asiatica can help revitalise skin’s protective barrier, plus it may mitigate some of the visible effects of sun damage. It can be used by all ages, skin types, and is suitable for skin prone to rosacea.

• Improvement of small wounds
• Hypertrophic wounds as well as burns
• psoriasis and eczema
• Scleroderma
• Soothe upset or compromised skin
• Hydrating the skin
• Revitalise skin’s protective barrier,
• Mitigate sun-damaged skin
• symptoms such as redness

It removes dirt and excess sebum while keeping skin hydrated; it won’t break down your skin’s natural moisture barrier! Plus, the gentle formula is suitable for all skin types. Follow up your cleanser with a hydrating toner. It contains porous powder to help control excess sebum for oily/combo/acne-prone skin.2

Centella Asiatica can be found in cleansers, toners, serums, and creams so this ingredient can be used at any point in your skin care routine. Cica cream can be used both morning or night, or both. If you are using a Retinoid then use cica on top of it to prevent any aggravation.

When you purchase a skincare product that has Centella Asiatica it may not be listed in the ingredients as such because Centella Asiatica is made of four main active ingredients:

• Asiaticoside
• Asiatic Acid
• Madecassoside
• Madecassic Acid