Active Ingredient

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

INCI: Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract (10.6ppm)

Soothing and wound healing botanical extract

Safety:5/5 — Very Safe

Comedogenic:0/5 — Non-comedogenic

Found in:10 products

About Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, derived from a small herbaceous plant native to Asian wetlands, has become one of K-beauty's most celebrated ingredients for its remarkable ability to calm irritation and support skin barrier repair. Often referred to as 'cica' in Korean skincare (short for Centella Asiatica), this botanical extract contains powerful active compounds including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid that work together to reduce inflammation, accelerate wound healing, and strengthen compromised skin. What makes centella particularly valuable in modern skincare is its gentle yet effective nature. With a perfect safety rating of 5/5 and a non-comedogenic rating of 0/5, it's suitable for even the most reactive skin types. The extract's ability to boost collagen synthesis while simultaneously calming redness has made it a staple in everything from lightweight toners to rich barrier creams. Korean brands have mastered the art of formulating with centella, often combining it with complementary soothing ingredients like pine extracts or ceramides to create products that genuinely help stressed, sensitized skin recover. Round Lab's Pine Calming Cica line exemplifies this approach, consistently earning ratings above 4.7/5 by pairing centella with pine phytoncides for enhanced calming effects. Whether you're dealing with temporary irritation from actives, environmental stress, or chronic sensitivity, centella asiatica leaf extract offers research-backed skin support without the risk of clogging pores or triggering reactions.

How Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract Works

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract works through multiple complementary pathways at the cellular level. The triterpenoid compounds, particularly asiaticoside and madecassoside, modulate inflammatory signaling by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, which are responsible for redness, heat, and discomfort in irritated skin. Simultaneously, asiatic acid stimulates fibroblast proliferation and increases the production of Type I collagen and fibronectin, proteins essential for maintaining skin structure and accelerating the repair of damaged tissue. This dual action means centella both prevents further inflammation and actively supports the healing process. The extract also enhances antioxidant enzyme activity, helping neutralize free radicals that can perpetuate inflammation and damage the skin barrier. At the barrier level, centella has been shown to strengthen tight junctions between keratinocytes (the main cells in your outer skin layer), reducing transepidermal water loss and making skin more resilient to external irritants. This mechanism explains why centella-rich products feel immediately soothing while also providing long-term improvements in skin tolerance and barrier function with continued use.

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract by Skin Type

Oily Skin

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract is exceptionally well-suited for oily skin because it delivers powerful anti-inflammatory and healing benefits without adding any pore-clogging oils or heavy textures. Its 0/5 comedogenic rating means it won't contribute to breakouts, while its soothing properties help calm the inflammation that often accompanies acne. Oily skin types using active ingredients like BHAs or retinoids will particularly appreciate centella's ability to reduce irritation without compromising oil control.

Dry Skin

While centella itself isn't a moisturizing humectant or emollient, it plays a crucial supporting role for dry skin by strengthening the barrier and reducing inflammation that can worsen moisture loss. Its ability to boost collagen production and repair barrier damage makes it an excellent companion to hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides. Products like Round Lab's Pine Calming Cica Cream (rated 5.0/5) combine centella with nourishing textures specifically designed to address both dryness and sensitivity simultaneously.

Combo Skin

Combination skin benefits enormously from centella's balanced, non-comedogenic profile that addresses multiple concerns without tipping the skin in either direction. It can soothe dry patches while calming inflammation in oilier zones, making it ideal for the varied needs of combination skin. Lightweight formulations like Round Lab's Pine Calming Cica Toner (part of their 4.9/5 rated sets) deliver centella's benefits without feeling heavy on oily areas or insufficient on dry ones.

Sensitive Skin

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract is perhaps most famous for its exceptional compatibility with sensitive skin, earning its 5/5 safety rating through both traditional use and modern clinical studies. It actively reduces the reactivity that defines sensitive skin by calming inflammatory pathways and strengthening barrier defenses against triggers. The consistent high ratings (4.7-5.0/5) of centella-focused products reflect real-world effectiveness for people dealing with chronic sensitivity, redness, or reactions to other skincare ingredients.

Normal Skin

Even normal skin benefits from centella's protective and preventive properties, particularly when facing temporary stress from weather changes, new products, or environmental aggressors. Its antioxidant activity helps maintain the healthy baseline that normal skin enjoys, while its barrier-strengthening effects provide insurance against future sensitivity. Using centella regularly can help normal skin maintain its balanced state rather than waiting until problems develop.

How to Use Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

1Layer centella products after cleansing but before heavier creams or oils to maximize absorption of the active triterpenoids into skin.
2Use centella-rich toners or essences in the morning to prep sensitive skin before applying potentially irritating sunscreen, or at night after using active ingredients like retinol or acids to minimize irritation.
3If introducing strong actives into your routine, alternate nights between actives and centella-focused recovery products, or apply centella products immediately after actives to buffer their intensity.
4Centella pairs exceptionally well with niacinamide, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, but avoid mixing it in the same step with very low-pH products (under 3.5) which may reduce its effectiveness.
5For acute irritation or barrier damage, consider using multiple centella products in the same routine (toner, serum, and cream) for intensive repair, a technique often called 'cica layering' in K-beauty.

Background

Centella Asiatica has been used in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years, with documented use in ancient Chinese, Indian (Ayurvedic), and Indonesian healing practices. Known as 'gotu kola' in Ayurveda and 'tiger grass' in folk medicine (legend says tigers would roll in the plant to heal wounds), centella was traditionally used to treat everything from skin infections to mental clarity. Korean traditional medicine also recognized its wound-healing properties, applying it to burns, cuts, and inflammatory skin conditions. The transition from traditional remedy to modern skincare ingredient began in the 1940s-1950s when French researchers isolated and studied centella's active triterpenoids, leading to pharmaceutical wound-healing products. K-beauty brands rediscovered centella in the early 2000s during the rise of 'cosmeceutical' skincare, recognizing that its gentle but scientifically validated benefits perfectly matched Korean consumers' desire for effective yet skin-friendly products. The abbreviation 'cica' became K-beauty shorthand for centella-based calming products, and the ingredient has since become a global phenomenon synonymous with sensitive skin care.

K-Beauty Products with Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

For Men Pine Calming Cica Toner/Cream Set

Round Lab

moisturizer5.0

For Men Pine Calming Cica Cream

Round Lab

moisturizer5.0

For Men Pine Calming Cica Toner/Lotion Set

Round Lab

toner4.9

Pine Calming Cica Cream Plus

Round Lab

moisturizer4.9

Pine Calming Cica Cleanser Double Pack

Round Lab

cleanser4.7

For Men Pine Calming Cica Lotion

Round Lab

moisturizer4.7

Pine Calming Cica Cleanser

Round Lab

cleanser4.6

For Men Pine Calming Toner/Lotion Set

Round Lab

toner4.6

For Men Pine Calming Toner/Cream Set

Round Lab

toner4.6

For Men Pine Calming Cica Clay Pack

Round Lab

mask

Frequently Asked Questions

Is centella asiatica the same as 'cica' in K-beauty products?▼

Yes, 'cica' is simply K-beauty shorthand for Centella Asiatica. When you see 'cica' in a product name like Round Lab's Pine Calming Cica line, it indicates the product contains centella asiatica extract as a key calming ingredient. Some products use the full botanical name while others use 'cica' for branding, but they refer to the same plant extract with the same skin benefits.

Can centella help with acne scars and hyperpigmentation?▼

Centella is excellent for helping acne scars heal and flatten by boosting collagen production and reducing inflammation that can worsen scarring. However, it doesn't directly lighten hyperpigmentation or dark spots. For post-acne marks, you'll see better results combining centella (for healing and texture) with brightening ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, or tranexamic acid that specifically target discoloration.

How long does it take to see results from centella products?▼

For immediate soothing of irritation or redness, centella can provide relief within hours to days of use. For deeper benefits like improved barrier function, reduced chronic sensitivity, or scar healing, expect to use centella products consistently for 4-8 weeks. Products like Round Lab's Pine Calming Cica Cream (rated 5.0/5) show that high-quality formulations deliver noticeable calming effects quickly while building long-term skin resilience.

Is 10.6ppm of centella asiatica leaf extract enough to be effective?▼

The concentration of 10.6ppm seems low, but effectiveness depends on the total formula and extraction quality. Studies show centella can be effective at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 1% or higher. If this is one of several calming ingredients in a product, it may contribute to overall soothing effects. However, look for products listing centella higher in the ingredient list or products specifically marketed as 'cica' treatments for maximum benefits.

Can I use centella with retinol, vitamin C, or other actives?▼

Absolutely, and this is actually one of centella's best uses. Its anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting properties make it an ideal companion to potentially irritating actives like retinoids, vitamin C, or AHAs/BHAs. Apply your active first, wait a few minutes, then follow with a centella product to buffer irritation. This strategy helps you get the benefits of actives while minimizing the sensitization that often limits their use.

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