Centella Asiatica (Cica)
The calming herb behind K-beauty "cica" creams — helps soothe stressed, reactive skin.
INCI name: Centella Asiatica Extract
What it is
Centella asiatica — a.k.a. cica or tiger grass — is a herb used for centuries and now a signature K-beauty soothing ingredient. Its key compounds (madecassoside, asiaticoside) are what the "-side" names on labels refer to.
What it helps with
- Helps calm the look of redness and irritation
- Supports the skin barrier while it recovers
- Lightweight hydration without heaviness
- Plays well with almost every routine
Good for
- Sensitive / reactive skin
- Post-breakout redness
- Over-exfoliated ("damaged barrier") phases
- Hot-weather skin stress
Pairs well with
- Panthenol
- Madecassoside (same family)
- Hyaluronic acid
- Gentle cleansers
Watch out
A "cica" label does not guarantee a meaningful amount — check whether centella extract sits high in the ingredient list, and patch-test if you react to botanical extracts.
FAQ
Q. Is cica the same as centella asiatica?
Yes — cica is the marketing nickname. On INCI lists it appears as Centella Asiatica Extract or as its compounds like madecassoside and asiaticoside.
Q. Can centella replace my acne treatment?
No. Centella helps calm the look of irritated skin, but it is not a treatment for acne or any skin condition. For persistent breakouts, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Sources
The honest note: ingredients help — they don't treat medical conditions. For persistent skin issues, a board-certified dermatologist beats any product swap.
Guides featuring Centella Asiatica (Cica)
More ingredients
- Niacinamide — Vitamin B3 — helps with brightening, oil balance, and a stronger skin barrier.
- Snail Mucin — K-beauty's famous glow ingredient — helps hydrate and support recovering skin.
- Zinc Oxide — The gentle mineral sunscreen filter — broad-spectrum UVA + UVB protection.
- Panthenol — Pro-vitamin B5 — the quiet workhorse that helps soothe and hydrate almost any skin.