What is centella in skincare?

Is centella the same as cica?

Cica, tiger grass, gotu kola and Indian pennywort are names used for Centella asiatica. The plant belongs to the parsley family and has a long history in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Its popularity in Korean skincare has helped bring it into more everyday routines.1

What does centella do for skin?

Centella helps the skin barrier, the outer layer that retains moisture, and reduces redness and inflammation. That makes hydration and soothing care its most practical everyday uses. Skin can look more hydrated and plump. For inflammatory conditions such as eczema or acne, centella is supportive care alongside appropriate treatments, rather than a replacement for them.1

Four important centella compounds are asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. These belong to a group of plant compounds called triterpenes. Research links them to collagen production and the activity of fibroblasts, cells involved in building connective tissue. Collagen gives skin structural support; stimulating its production is one reason centella has attracted interest in wound healing and cosmetic care.2

The research includes laboratory experiments, animal studies and clinical work with different extracts or isolated compounds. Wound research examines tissue repair, collagen formation and the strength of newly formed skin. Those are different goals from making an everyday moisturizer. For routine skincare, expect hydration and soothing care rather than treating a cosmetic serum as wound medicine.2

Which centella formula should you choose?

Centella skincare comes in toners, ampoules, masks and creams, so the plant has a larger wardrobe than the routine needs. Prefer a product that stays on the skin, such as a serum, cream or lotion, when your aim is ongoing centella care.1

Whole plant extracts and isolated centella compounds are not interchangeable measures of strength. The amount of active compounds varies with the plant's origin, and research preparations have included both undefined extracts and extracts with specified proportions of particular compounds. An extract percentage alone is therefore not a useful way to rank every centella product. Choose for the finished formula and its purpose, rather than treating the largest number as the best option.2

Match the texture to your moisture needs. Gels generally feel lighter, creams contain more oil and provide more hydration, and ointments are the thickest option for dry skin. Oily areas can suit a lighter gel, while combination skin can need more moisturizer on dry areas than on the forehead, nose and chin. A centella ingredient does not remove those differences between textures.3

How do you add centella to your routine?

1. 1Test the new product on your inner arm and wait at least 24 hours before using it on your face.
2. 2Apply the centella product following its own directions. For example, SKIN1004 tells you to spread its Centella Ampoule evenly and pat it into the skin.
3. 3Finish with moisturizer if your centella product is a serum rather than your moisturizing step. SKIN1004 directs users to apply its Centella Soothing Cream last in the skincare routine.
4. 4For daytime, apply sunscreen after moisturizer. Choose broad spectrum protection, water resistance and SPF 30 or higher.

Frequency and time of day depend on the product, not simply on the presence of centella. Follow the directions for the serum, moisturizer or mask you choose. Centella's cosmetic benefits are still being researched, especially for sun related aging and scars, so use hydration and comfort as practical goals rather than expecting a fixed deadline for wrinkle or scar changes.1

What is a centella skincare routine set?

A routine set is a bundle of products, not a requirement to give every bottle a daily shift. SKIN1004's Centella Skincare Routine Set includes a toning toner, ampoule, soothing cream, calming pads and sheet masks. The products do different jobs: the toner includes PHA, a mild exfoliating ingredient; the ampoule provides hydration; and the cream has a lightweight gel texture.4

For that set, SKIN1004 directs users to pat the toner into the skin, apply the ampoule evenly and use the cream last. Leave the calming pads on selected areas for 3 to 5 minutes. Apply the sheet mask after cleansing and toner, avoid the eyes and mouth, and remove it after 10 to 20 minutes before patting in the remaining essence.4

How do you use centella in winter skincare?

Cold outdoor air and dry indoor heat can disrupt the skin barrier. Keep a centella serum or moisturizer within a routine that also limits moisture loss. Use a gentle, moisturizing facial cleanser and choose a richer cream or balm if a light lotion no longer keeps skin comfortable. A watery centella product can provide soothing care without being enough moisturizer for a dry winter.5

• Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp after washing or showering to help trap water.
• For dry skin, look for moisturizing ingredients such as ceramides or hyaluronic acid and avoid fragrance.
• Do not exfoliate dry, peeling winter skin to remove the flakes. Moisturize instead; a centella toner containing an exfoliant is still an exfoliating product.
• Reduce the frequency or strength of drying cosmetic actives, such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid or retinol, in winter.
• Continue sunscreen in winter on exposed areas. A moisturizing sunscreen cream or moisturizer underneath sunscreen can help with seasonal dryness.

Who should be careful with centella?

Most people tolerate topical centella, but rare allergic reactions include burning and contact dermatitis, an inflamed rash caused by contact with a substance. Stop using a product that causes burning or a rash. Ask a dermatology healthcare provider before using centella if you are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of liver problems or skin cancer.1

If dryness persists despite adjusting your cleanser and moisturizer, or becomes painful, cracked, bleeding, stinging or very irritating, see a dermatologist. Increasing the number of soothing products is not the next step when skin needs medical treatment.3