Centella Asiatica: From Healing Wounds to Increasing Collagen

You must have heard of Cica, the Korean skincare power medicinal plant used to soothe redness and irritation (among other things). Going by the scientific name of Centella Asiatica, it has been widely used in Asian folk medicine for hundreds of years, and lately, it has become extremely popular in the West, especially in the cosmetic industry. But why is this botanical extract so highly regarded in skincare? What are Centella Asiatica’s benefits? Can it heal scars? Is it good for acne? We’re answering those and more questions in the text below.  

What Is Centella Asiatica?

Centella Asiatica, also known as Cica, Gotu kola, tiger grass, and Indian pennywort, is a herbaceous, perennial plant native to tropical and subtropical swampy regions of Asia, Australia, equatorial Africa, Central America, and the western Pacific. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat small wounds, burns, scratches, and eczema and as a medicine in the Ayurvedic tradition of India. It is a tasteless, odorless plant with small, bright-green fan-shaped leaves and purplish flowers. Nevertheless, it is used in Asian cuisine for salads, as an accompaniment to rice and vegetables, and as a refreshing drink.  

Centella Asiatica Health Benefits

The Centella Asiatica extracts have been widely used to treat wounds in traditional medicine, and research has been very supportive of these claims. There are other, however, medicinal benefits of Gotu kola, thanks to its chemical compounds.  Some of the key chemical constituents are:

• Triterpenoids (also called saponins), particularly asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid. These saponins and their sapogenins are responsible for wound healing by inducing collagen synthesis at the wound site and promoting tensile strength.
• Flavonoids, including quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin, possess antioxidant properties and may contribute to the plant's anti-inflammatory effects.
• Phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and phenolic glycosides have antioxidant properties and may help protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

Research has also shown that Centella Asiatica strengthens weakened veins, works as a sedative agent, has antidepressant, antiepileptic, cognitive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, helps with gastritis ulcers, against herpes simplex viruses, and helps with sleep disorders.  

Centella Asiatica Benefits for Skin

Many scientific studies report Centella Asiatica’s effectiveness in treating wounds, as well as burns and scars. That has to do with its ability to increase the percentage of type I collagen in dermal cells, which makes it a very useful agent in cosmetics. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, a building block of our skin, and a prerequisite for plump, youthful-looking skin. As we age, our body starts to rapidly lose collagen - around 1% a year, beginning between the ages of 25 and 30. As collagen production starts to slow down, wrinkles start to appear on our skin. A study performed on 20 randomly selected females showed that a six-month treatment with a combination of topically applied madecassoside extracted from Centella Asiatica and vitamin C significantly improved firmness, elasticity, and skin hydration.  

Is Centella Asiatica Good for Acne?

Acne is a skin problem caused by factors such as increased sebum production, irregular shedding of skin cells, the growth of P. acnes bacteria, and inflammation. To test the effect Centella Asiatica could have on acne, the scientists used the plant extract to see if it could kill acne-causing bacteria. In that research, the extract showed little antibacterial activity against P. acnes. However, when the extract was combined with other herbs, it was more effective in killing the bacteria. A specific compound found in Centella Asiatica, called madecassoside, was found to reduce inflammation caused by acne bacteria. This means it could help calm down the redness and swelling associated with acne. So, while Centella Asiatica itself may not directly kill the acne bacteria, it might still be useful in treating acne because it can reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin.  

Cica Skincare

Centella Asiatica in skincare is experiencing a boom as it is one of the most popular ingredients not only in Korean skincare but also around the world. Thanks to its soothing, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties, this ingredient is especially beneficial for sensitive skin that gets red, inflamed, irritated, or itchy easily.  If you’re looking for a product containing Cica to calm and soothe your skin, here is a list of diverse products using the benefits of Centella Asiatica:  

Clean With LUNA™ Microfoam Cleanser 2.0

Imagine washing your face with a cloud. Formulated with 87% natural origin ingredients, including hydrating & smoothing Amino acids, antioxidant Vitamin E, soothing Cica (Centella Asiatica), and skin microbiome-balancing Prebiotics, this cleanser gently washes away deep-seated impurities from the face and neck.  When paired with LUNA™ 4 facial cleansing brush, it removes 99% of dirt, oil, and makeup residue from the face. And unlike many other foaming cleansers, which can leave skin feeling tight and stripped of its protective barrier, this formula leaves skin nourished, soft and healthy - so it feels fresh and comfortable post-cleanse.  

Purify With Matte Maniac 2.0 UFO™ Activated Face Mask

When your skin is acting up, try this concentrated oil-free mask that uses purifying charcoal (acting like a toxin and bacteria magnet), astringent witch hazel (that removes excess oil), antioxidant-rich Centella Asiatica and Snow Lotus (to promote collagen production), and soothing Crysanthemum (to, as an aid to Cica, calm redness and irritation). Pair it with UFO™ 3 deep facial hydration device to instantly clarify skin tone, remove oil, and minimize imperfections for clear, healthy-looking skin.  

Soothe With PEACH™ Cooling Prep Gel

This calming gel designed to prepare and calm skiing during the IPL treatments uses Centella Asiatica as one of the 17 plant extracts that hydrate, soothe, and relieve the skin pre and post treatment. These ingredients also help to alleviate sensitivity-induced redness post-treatment.