🌿 What Is Centella Asiatica Extract?

Centella Asiatica, also known as “cica” or Gotu Kola, is a perennial herb prized for its skin-soothing, barrier-repairing, and collagen-boosting properties. Traditionally used to accelerate wound healing, it has become a go-to ingredient in calming serums, barrier creams, and recovery formulas.

Key Skin Benefits 1)Enhances hydration and strengthens the skin barrier, 2)Promotes collagen synthesis for improved firmness, 3)Soothes inflammation and redness, 4)Speeds up wound healing and barrier repair.

🌱 Source of the Ingredient

Centella Asiatica Extract is derived from the fresh leaves or whole plant of the Centella Asiatica species, typically processed via water or alcohol extraction to capture its active triterpenoids (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid).

🏺 Origins in Skincare

Used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine, cica was originally applied to wounds, burns, and skin inflammation. Its modern skincare journey began with clinical trials that confirmed its calming and collagen-stimulating effects paving the way for its widespread use in creams, serums, masks, and after-sun gels.

🔬 Mechanism of Action

- Barrier Repair : Madecassoside supports ceramide production and tight junction integrity.
 

- Collagen Stimulation : Asiaticoside & asiatic acid activate fibroblast genes (COL1A1), enhancing collagen production.

- Anti-Inflammatory : Suppresses NF-κB and COX-2 signaling, reducing redness, swelling, and sensitivity.
 

- Antioxidant Support : Rich in polyphenols that neutralize free radicals.

📏 Effects by Concentration

- 0.5–1% Extract – mild calming and hydration (common in cleansers, toners).
 

- 2–5% – optimized for barrier repair, redness relief, collagen boost (typical in serums/creams).
 

- 10–20% or higher – found in dedicated cica products; clinically tested for scar healing and intense soothing.
 

🧴 Product Forms & Typical Content

(Product Type / Usual Cica Content)

<Top 5 Skincare Products Infused with Centella Asiatica Extract>
 

1. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule

Content : no information
Country : KR
 

2. Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum
Content : ~49% Centella Asiatica Extract
Country : KR

3. ONE THING Centella Asiatica Extract Toner

Content : no information
Country : KR

4. Mary&May Centella Asiatica Serum

Content : ~95% Centella Asiatica extract
Country : KR

5. Mixsoon Centella Asiatica Essence

Content : 100% Centella Asiatica Extract
Country : KR
 

🔬 Clinical Evidence & Visual Summary

Barrier Recovery & Redness Relief: Subjects using 5% cica cream showed 60% faster recovery of transepidermal water loss and significant erythema reduction in 2 weeks (Figure B: hydration & redness graphs).
 

Collagen Boost: Madecassoside (0.1–1%) stimulated fibroblasts to increase type I collagen by ~30% in vitro.
 

Scar & Wound Healing: In burn patients, 10% cica cream accelerated healing 20–30% faster than control.
 

(Visual suggestion: before/after timeline with hydration curve, redness bar chart, collagen bar graph.)

🧠 Expert Tips for Cica Use

Apply after cleansing or exfoliation to soothe irritation and boost barrier repair.
 

Patch test before using high-strength products (10%+), as sensitized individuals may react.
 

Layer under moisturizers and SPFcica supports overall barrier health.
 

Combine with other research-backed actives (niacinamide, ceramides, peptides) for synergistic benefits.
 

Soothing post-procedure: cica is ideal after microneedling, lasers, or expositional irritation due to its barrier-calming and collagen-supporting effects.
 

📚 References

Kim et al. “Centella asiatica extract alleviates atopic dermatitis-like inflammation…” Int J Mol Sci.

Suguna et al. “Madecassoside accelerates wound healing in rats.” Wound Repair Regen.

Lee & Song. “Clinical efficacy of standardized cica extract on barrier function and atopic dermatitis.” J Dermatol Sci.

Shukla et al. “Triterpenoids promote collagen synthesis in human skin cells.” Phytomedicine.

Kim et al. “10% Cica cream enhances wound healing in burn patients.” Burns.

Park et al. “Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of C. asiatica.” J Ethnopharmacol.

Kumar et al. “Protective effects of Centella on UV damage.” Dermatol Ther.