Active ingredient
Centella
INCICentella Asiatica Extract
Last reviewed by BIOSAR Scientific Team, PharmD, Cosmetic Chemistry, Pharmacy practice on .
What it is
Centella asiatica is a botanical extract used in skincare to support the barrier, calm reactive skin, and accelerate cosmetic post-procedure recovery. Its triterpenoid actives — asiaticoside, madecassoside, and asiatic acid — modulate fibroblast collagen synthesis and dampen inflammatory signalling. Pairs broadly with most actives. No major conflicts.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Safe
Considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Topical centella asiatica is considered acceptable during pregnancy and lactation per Mother to Baby. Oral centella extracts have less safety data and are typically avoided in pregnancy, but cosmetic surface use raises no documented concern.
Mechanism in detail
What Centella does
Botanical compound widely known in pharmacy copy as Cica. Calms the look of sensitivity and supports barrier comfort.
Evidence
What the research says
- smootherTopical Centella softens lines, floods skin with moistureA network meta-analysis of five topical Centella asiatica trials in women found it visibly softened wrinkles and markedly raised skin hydration, echoing the calm, cushioned feel of a well-supported barrier.Read the study →Kongkaew C, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Centella Asiatica (L.) Urb. on Wrinkles: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. J Cosmet Sci. 2020;71(6):439-454.
Where it helps
Concerns Centella addresses
Aging
The first time you notice it is rarely a wrinkle. It is a quality of light — the way your skin catches it differently in a morning mirror,…
Explore the concernSensitivity
If you have sensitive skin, you have probably been told it is in your head — by a product that says "gentle" on the label, by a friend…
Explore the concernSun Damage
Sun damage is the cumulative photoaging caused by ultraviolet radiation, presenting as solar lentigines, irregular pigmentation, fine…
Explore the concern
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