Centella asiatica is a must-have ingredient in Korean skincare routines, loved by beauty fans for its calming and restorative properties. Whether you’re into the glass skin trend or just looking to boost your Korean skincare collection, centella asiatica might be your new go-to. Here’s everything you need to know about this wonder ingredient, its benefits, and the best Korean skincare brands that feature it.
What is Centella Asiatica?
Centella asiatica, is a tropical plant native to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties, it’s a staple in K-Beauty, often found in Korean cleansers and Korean toners.
Centella Asiatica Benefits for Your Skin
Centella asiatica has many benefits, which is why it’s such a loved ingredient. Incorporating it into your skincare routine will:
-Soothe Skin: It’s perfect for soothing and calming sensitive, sore, or inflamed skin.
-Reduce redness: Centella asiatica is great for conditions like rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis as it can calm redness, which is why you’ll find it in lots of colour correcting products.
-Combat acne: By targeting acne-causing bacteria and soothing inflammation, it can help reduce breakouts.
-Boost collagen production: Centella asiatica stimulates collagen production in the skin, leading to improved skin elasticity and reduced fine lines.
Centella Asiatica for Your Skin
One of our favourite Korean skincare brands, SKIN1004, champions centella asiatica in nearly all its products. Some of the best SKIN1004 products that use centella asiatica include the Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam which gently cleanses without drying, and the Madagascar Centella Toning Toner that hydrates, soothes, and brightens skin.
mixsoon products also benefit from the inclusion of centella. The mixsoon Centella Asiatica Toner and Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence are packed with this skin-calming ingredient, ideal for acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Other Names for Centella Asiatica
Centella asiatica is also known as cica, tiger grass, and gotu kola. Despite going by different names, it brings the same soothing, hydrating, and protective benefits to any skincare product it’s featured in.
Cica & Tiger Grass for Your Skin
These products spotlight cica and tiger grass as their hero ingredients, they still deliver all the soothing, hydrating benefits of centella asiatica….
For redness and blemishes, the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment neutralises redness and provides a flawless base. To instantly soothe skin, try the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Calming Serum Mask, the centella asiatica/cica extract works to soothe, minimise redness, and strengthen the skin barrier.
The COSRX Pure Fit Cica Creamy Foam Cleanser controls oil and cleanses deeply, removing build up and impurities to leave you with a glowing complexion. If you’re a Laneige fan, try the Cica Sleeping Mask. It protects and hydrates skin overnight, leaving your skin refreshed by the morning.
What Skin Types is Centella Asiatica Good For?
We’ve covered centella asiatica’s wide range of skincare benefits, but which skin type is it best for?
–Dry skin: Products using centella asiatica will deeply hydrate your skin without clogging pores. Perfect as part of a dry skin routine.
-Acne-prone skin: If you find you have constant breakouts, try adding some products that use centella asiatica into your routine. They’ll help target bacteria and soothe any inflammation, perfect for managing breakouts.
-Sensitive skin: Thanks to the soothing properties and gentle nature of centella, products that use it are ideal for those with sensitive and easily irritated skin.
-Dull skin: If your skin is in need of a glow, give centella asiatica a go… This ingredient protects your skin barrier, helping to protect your skin from environmental stressors, which can cause dull skin.
Our Favourite Centella Asiatica Products
With so many incredible centella asiatica products, it’s hard to pick just a few. Explore our top picks from Korean serums, to Korean moisturisers, and let your skin experience the benefits of this skincare powerhouse.