It’s one of K-Beauty’s favourite ingredients, but what is Centella Asiatica and why should we love it too?
Today, we’re looking at the benefits of Centella Asiatica in medicines, drugs and ordinary skincare.
What Is Centella Asiatica?
Centella Asiatica is a plant that grows in the marshy soils of Southeast Asia, Australia, and Africa.
It is known for its restorative effects and wound healing characteristics.
Why Is Centella Asiatica Good For Skin?
In beauty products, Centella Asiatica (aka “Cica”) is used for its smoothing, soothing and purifying properties.
Circulation and Regeneration
The leaves of the Centella Asiatica plant are known to have positive benefits on microcirculation. They can also help calm and regenerate skin.
The plant also includes chemicals that can increase wound restoration, which is why it is often used in medicines and drugs in Korea. Medical grade Centella asiatica has been proven to enhance antioxidant activity at the site of the wound, is able to condition skin and increase blood flow.
Centella Asiatica in medicine and drugs is also thought to inhibit scar tissue formation. It can boost the healing process, which also assists in resolving scars.
Increasing collagen
The three main components of Centella Asiatica increase both collagen and hydroxyproline. They are believed to assist in promoting cell proliferation. That's another reason why this is a popular ingredient at hair growth clinics in Korea, as well as plastic surgery centers.
Treating skin irritations and issues
Centella Asiatica is excellent at treating scratchy and irritated skin, as well as reduce the appearance of visible blood vessels and stretch marks.
Our Favourite K-Beauty Products With Centella Asiatica
Korean Beauty has well and truly fallen for Centella asiastica! The benefits of Centella asiatica in cosmetics include calming and soothing. For that reason, it is an ideal ingredient for those with blemishes, sensitivities and irritated skin.
Subi Brightening Powder Cleanser- Lightweight, ultra-versatile and perfect for everyday use, Subi Brightening Powder Cleanser is a shapeshifter that does the work of several products in one. It cleanses, can even exfoliate and is perfect to leave the house and travel with. Best of all, it has a stellar ingredients list featuring Cica (centella).
Toners
APLB Centella Complex Mist Toner– This unique all-in-one mist is perfect for the face and body, helping to care for troubled or sensitive skin wherever it occurs. Apply it anywhere your skin is rough, bumpy, red or sensitized for immediate soothing relief.
Serums
Numbuzin No.7 Mild Green Soothing Serum (50ml) is a hydrating serum that nourishes your skin with 29 kinds of gentle yet effective ingredients. Centella is just one of the many green ingredients incorporated, including noni, heart leaf, green tea, and mugwort. Together, they help relieve tired skin and provide comfort and relief.
Moisturisers
Purito Centella Green Level Eye Cream – made on a base of Centella Asiatica extract and highly-enriched with Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid and Madecassic acid, this hard-working eye cream helps protect the delicate eye area to keep skin glowing and healthy.
iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream – combining 70% centella leaf water with soothing Tea tree leaf water 10%, this blemish-calming moisturiser takes care of both blotchiness and redness with its fast-acting formula.
Makeup
Dr Jart Color Correcting Cream - We love this versatile green-to-beige colour-correcting treatment because it combines skincare and makeup in one. As a CC Cream (Colour Correcting Cream) it corrects redness and helps protect skin from environmental aggressors. The formula combines Centella asiatica (aka Cica, Tiger's Grass), houttuynia cordata (aka Heartleaf) and yarrow for a healthy appearance.
Masks
Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask (10ea) contains 15% Centella Asiatica to help soothe the skin comfortably. Containing green tea extract, mugwort extract, and 3 types of hyaluronic acid, it provides moisture to the skin from deep within.
Eye Cream
Purito Centella Green Level Eye Cream – made on a base of Centella Asiatica extract and highly-enriched with Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid and Madecassic acid, this hard-working eye cream helps protect the delicate eye area to keep skin glowing and healthy.
