If you've spent any time looking at Korean skincare, you've almost certainly seen "centella asiatica" or "cica" on a label. It's one of the most widely used ingredients in K-beauty, and for good reason: it's gentle enough for sensitive skin, useful for almost every concern, and backed by centuries of use in traditional medicine before it ever showed up in a serum.
What centella asiatica actually is
Centella asiatica, also called gotu kola, is a small, leafy plant that grows across parts of Asia. It's been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for skin health for a very long time, which is part of why Korean skincare brands leaned on it so heavily as clean, ingredient-led formulas gained traction.
What it does for skin
- Calms irritation. Centella is best known for soothing redness, whether from sun exposure, pollution, over-exfoliation or an already irritated skin barrier.
- Supports the skin barrier. It helps skin hold onto moisture more effectively, which matters in Sri Lanka's mix of humidity and air-conditioned indoor air.
- Suits acne-prone skin. Because it calms inflammation without clogging pores, it's a common ingredient in products aimed at blemish-prone skin.
- Works for almost everyone. Unlike stronger actives such as retinol or high-percentage acids, centella rarely causes irritation, which makes it a safe starting point if you're new to skincare or building a routine for sensitive skin.
Which brands do it well
SKIN1004 built its entire identity around centella, and the Madagascar Centella Ampoule uses nothing but the extract itself, which makes it a good way to see what the ingredient does on its own. PURITO SEOUL's Wonder Releaf Centella line, especially the unscented versions, pairs it with ceramide and allantoin for sensitive, reactive skin. NACIFIC's Fresh Cica Plus Clear range combines it with a sebum-absorbing powder specifically for oily, acne-prone skin.
How to add it to your routine
Centella layers easily with almost anything else, which is part of why it's so common across toners, serums, creams and even sunscreens. If your skin is currently irritated, a centella-based toner or ampoule used on its own for a week or two, without other actives, is often enough to calm things down before you reintroduce the rest of your routine.
Explore the full range of centella and cica products to find one that fits your routine.