What does Centella Asiatica do?#
A calming serum with Centella Asiatica (CICA) that helps calm visible redness and helps the skin look healthier and feel comfortable.
- Helps reduce the appearance of redness and irritation
- Helps calm the look of redness for a comfortable, even-looking complexion
- Boosts hydration and helps skin hold onto moisture
- Suitable for sensitive and reactive skin
How it works
Centella Asiatica, also known as CICA or tiger grass, is a well-researched botanical extract with a long history in skincare. It helps skin look calmer and more comfortable, contributing to a smoother, more hydrated appearance.
How to use Centella Asiatica#
- Morning or evening, or both. It is gentle enough for daily use from the start.
- In routine order: a toner goes on straight after cleansing, a serum after that, a cream last.
- Across the whole face. It suits sensitive and reactive skin, which is what it is usually chosen for.
- It layers under or over most other things without needing an evening of its own.
- Skip it if you are allergic to plants in the carrot family — celery, carrot, parsley, fennel, dill or coriander. That cross-reaction is rare but it is the one thing worth knowing.
- A brief tingle as it goes on settles quickly. Itching or a rash that appears a day or two later is different — stop using it if that happens.
- A little goes a long way — one to two pumps is typically enough.
Discontinue use if unexpected discomfort occurs.
Forms you will see it in
Cica toner
- Where it goes
- After cleansing, morning or evening
- How often
- Daily
- Strength
- Gentle
- Sun sensitivity
- None
Cica calming serum
- Where it goes
- Before moisturizer, morning or evening
- How often
- Daily
- Strength
- Gentle
- Sun sensitivity
- None
Cica calming cream
- Where it goes
- As your moisturizer, morning or evening
- How often
- Daily
- Strength
- Gentle
- Sun sensitivity
- None
Using Centella Asiatica with other ingredients
Pairs well with Centella Asiatica
Niacinamide
Works well togetherComplementary calming benefits for visibly soothed, more resilient-looking skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Works well togetherCica helps skin look calm and comfortable while hyaluronic acid adds a hydrated, plumped-looking feel.
Panthenol (B5)
Works well togetherBoth support skin comfort for a healthier-looking complexion.
Azelaic acid
Works well togetherCICA helps comfort skin while azelaic acid targets tone and redness.
What not to use with Centella Asiatica
Nothing flagged. None of the ingredients this wiki covers needs to be kept apart from Centella Asiatica — check the label of anything not covered here.
Who should avoid Centella Asiatica?#
Six situations change whether Centella Asiatica suits your skin right now. Each one is either a reason to skip it, a reason to go slowly, or nothing to watch for.
- Maternity & Nursing
- Go slowly
- Dry or Itchy Patches
- Go slowly
- Fragile or Sensitive
- No caution
- Recent Facial or Laser
- No caution
- Prone to Redness
- No caution
- Recent Shave or Wax
- No caution
Maternity & Nursing — If you are pregnant or nursing, you may prefer to check with your healthcare provider before use.
Dry or Itchy Patches — Keep the rest of your routine well moisturized, and use it less often — or stop — if you notice tightness or itching.
Cosmetic strength limits for Centella Asiatica where you live#
| Region | Maximum strength |
|---|---|
| United States | No explicit cap |
| Canada | No explicit cap |
| European Union | No explicit cap |
| Great Britain | No explicit cap |
No cosmetic regulator in these four markets sets a maximum strength for centella asiatica. That is a limit on the rules, not a signal to use more: how much goes into a product is the formulator's decision.
Products with Centella Asiatica#
We may earn a small commission when you buy through these links.
Cica toner · 20
ONE THINGCica Ceramide Toner - 250ml$21.75
ONE THINGCica B5 Toner - 210ml$20.25
COSRXPure Fit Cica Toner - 150ml$17.60
COSRXCentella Water Alcohol-Free Toner - 150ml$13.60
mixsoonCentella Asiatica Toner - 300ml$18.75
mixsoonCentella Toner Pad - 60pads$19.50
numbuzinNo.1 Centella Re-Leaf Green Toner Pad - 190ml/70pads$16.80
Purito SEOULWonder Releaf Centella Toner Unscented - 200ml$16.80
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Teca Soothing Toner - 210ml$12.69
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Toning Toner - 210ml$13.50
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Essence Toner - 210ml$13.50
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Brightening Toner - 210ml$14.00
SOME BY MISnail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner - 150ml$15.75
AVCACICA Rebalancing Essence Facial Toner - 1L$11.85
beplainCicaterol Toner - 200ml$21.60
BRING GREENTea Tree Cica Soothing Toner - 250ml$13.99
BRING GREENTea Tree Cica Trouble Soothing Toner Pads - 150g/90pads$16.09
DERMA FACTORYCica 90% Water Essence - 150ml$8.21
Dr.CeuracleCica Regen 92 Toner - 120ml$19.21
mixsoonSoondy Centella Asiatica Essence - 100ml$24.00Cica calming serum · 13
COSRXPure Fit Cica Serum - 30ml$22.40
COSRXHydrium Centella Aqua Soothing Ampoule 40ml$20.80
Cos De BAHACentella Serum (CH) - 30ml$8.99
Mary&MayCentella Asiatica Serum - 30ml$13.19
Purito SEOULWonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented - 60ml$16.10
Round LabPine Calming Cica Ampoule - 30ml$23.40
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Ampoule - 30ml$6.50
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Teca Ampoule - 50ml$12.75
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum - 30ml$7.99
esfolioCica Centella Calming Ampoule - 30ml$3.89
Papa RecipeReal Centella Cica Calming Serum - 30ml$11.79
ROVECTINCica Care Clearing Ampoule - 30ml$14.49
VEGREENFragrance-Free Cica Serum - 50ml$14.63Cica calming cream · 15
numbuzinNo.2 Cica Ceramide Repair Cream - 60ml$22.40
COSRXPure Fit Cica Cream - 50ml$25.60
COSRXPure Fit Cica Cream Intense - 50ml$25.60
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Cream - 75ml$14.59
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Moisture Cream - 75ml$13.99
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream - 75ml$13.84
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream - 50ml$15.00
innisfreeBija Cica Balm EX (New Version) - 40ml$16.79
Purito SEOULWonder Releaf Centella Cream - 50ml$14.70
Purito SEOULWonder Releaf Centella Cream Unscented - 50ml$14.70
Round LabPine Calming Cica Cream - 50ml$18.90
Round LabPine Calming Cica Cream Plus - 60ml$27.00
mixsoonCica Hyal Deep Soothing Cream - 50ml$20.00
Cos De BAHACentella Gel Cream (CG120) - 120ml$9.50
CELIMAXThe Real Cica Soothing Cream - 50ml$16.00Common questions about Centella Asiatica#
When should you apply Centella Asiatica?
- Morning or evening, or both. It is gentle enough for daily use from the start.
Which form of Centella Asiatica should you use?
- Cica toner — after cleansing, morning or evening, daily. Cica calming serum — before moisturizer, morning or evening, daily. Cica calming cream — as your moisturizer, morning or evening, daily.
How often can you use Centella Asiatica?
- Daily.
Where do you apply Centella Asiatica?
- All over the face. Keep it away from your eyes and lips.
Does Centella Asiatica make skin more sensitive to the sun?
- No. Centella Asiatica is not flagged as increasing sun sensitivity.
What should you not use with Centella Asiatica?
- Nothing flagged. None of the ingredients this wiki covers needs to be kept apart from Centella Asiatica — check the label of anything not covered here.
Who should avoid Centella Asiatica?
- Go slowly with Maternity & Nursing and Dry or Itchy Patches.
Is there a cosmetic limit for Centella Asiatica?
- No. No cosmetic regulator in the United States, Canada, the European Union or Great Britain sets a maximum strength for it. That is a limit on the rules, not a signal to use more.
Related ingredients#
How we check this#
Everything on this page traces to the sources listed below — regulators' own publications and published studies. Where the evidence does not answer a question, it is left unanswered.
Our review is AI-assisted and is not a named expert's opinion. Last reviewed August 4, 2026.
Think something here is out of date or wrong? Email us at wiki@skinintelligence.ai with your reasoning and where you read it. We read what people send, and we update the page when the sources support it.
Regulators and official bodies · 11
- S1EMA/HMPC. European Union herbal monograph on Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., herba — Revision 1. EMA/HMPC/489142/2020, adopted 30 March 2022.
- S2EMA/HMPC. Assessment report on Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., herba — Revision 1. EMA/HMPC/489140/2020.
- S3AEMPS. Ficha técnica — Blastoestimulina 10 mg/g pomada (extracto de Centella asiática 1%), nº registro 86442, texto revisado octubre 2021. Newly fetched.
- S4AEMPS. Ficha técnica — Blastoestimulina 20 mg/g polvo cutáneo (extracto seco purificado de Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, herba 21,3:1, 2%; asiaticósido 7,2–8 mg/g), nº registro 35908. Newly fetched.
- S5Johnson W Jr, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, Marks JG Jr, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW, Gill LJ, Heldreth B. Safety Assessment of Centella asiatica-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol 2023 Jun. PMID 36812692; doi 10.1177/10915818231158272.
- S6European Commission. CosIng entry — CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT (CAS 84696-21-9, EC 283-640-5), ref 75075.
- S29Health Canada. Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients.
- S30FDA. Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics.
- S31Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex II, as retained in Great Britain (legislation.gov.uk).
- S32Health Canada. Prescription Drug List.
- S34MHRA. Borderline products: how to tell if your product is a medicine.
Studies and references · 23
- S7Ratz-Łyko A, Arct J, Pytkowska K. Moisturizing and Antiinflammatory Properties of Cosmetic Formulations Containing Centella asiatica Extract. Indian J Pharm Sci 2016. PMID 27168678; PMC4852572.
- S8Anggraeni S, Umborowati MA, Damayanti D, Endaryanto A, Prakoeswa CRS. Role of Centella asiatica and ceramide in skin barrier improvement: a double blind clinical trial of Indonesian batik workers. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2021. PMID 34214362; doi 10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0510.
- S9Su Z, Zheng Y, Yi J, Lai W, Ye C. The Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin. J Cosmet Dermatol 2025. PMID 40682399; PMC12274965; doi 10.1111/jocd.70324.
- S10Ying Y, Fang Y, Chenlan X, Lin S, Jiefang H, Yanan L, Peiwen S. Evaluating the Efficacy of Soothing Agents in Mitigating 0.1% Retinol-Induced Skin Irritation: A Patch Test. J Cosmet Dermatol 2025. PMID 41044804; PMC12494960; doi 10.1111/jocd.70488.
- S11Damkerngsuntorn W, Rerknimitr P, Panchaprateep R, Tangkijngamvong N, Kumtornrut C, Kerr SJ, Asawanonda P, Tantisira MH, Khemawoot P. The Effects of a Standardized Extract of Centella asiatica on Postlaser Resurfacing Wound Healing on the Face. J Altern Complement Med 2020. PMID 32310680; doi 10.1089/acm.2019.0325.
- S12Wang L, Zhang Y, Chen L, Yuan D, Feng X, Zheng J, Li X, Yuan C. A two-center randomized controlled trial of a repairing mask as an adjunctive treatment for mild to moderate rosacea. J Cosmet Dermatol 2024. PMID 38831627; doi 10.1111/jocd.16413.
- S13Kongkaew C, Meesomperm P, Scholfield CN, Chaiwiang N, Waranuch N. Efficacy and Safety of Centella Asiatica (L.) Urb. on Wrinkles: A Systematic Review of Published Data and Network Meta-Analysis. J Cosmet Sci 2020;71(6):439–454. PMID 33413787.
- S14Hausen BM. Centella asiatica (Indian pennywort), an effective therapeutic but a weak sensitizer. Contact Dermatitis 1993;29(4):175–9. PMID 8281778. Newly fetched.
- S15Gonzalo Garijo MA, Revenga Arranz F, Bobadilla González P. Allergic contact dermatitis due to Centella asiatica: a new case. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 1996;24(3):132–4. PMID 8766746.
- S16Danese P, Carnevali C, Bertazzoni MG. Allergic contact dermatitis due to Centella asiatica extract. Contact Dermatitis 1994;31(3):201. PMID 7821029.
- S17Özkaya E, Toprak İD. Allergic contact dermatitis from Centella asiatica extract and fragrance allergens: Report of two patients from Turkey. Contact Dermatitis 2024;91(1):85–87. PMID 38567908.
- S18Anwar AI, Adriani A, Rimayani S, Anwar AA, Seweng A, Munirah R, Dewi WS, Kurniadi I. The Effectiveness of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dexpanthenol, and Centella Asiatica Combination Serum in the Treatment of Post-Acne Hyperpigmentation in Subjects with Skin of Color. Skinmed 2021;19(2):110–115. PMID 33938432. Newly fetched.
- S19Jenwitheesuk K, Rojsanga P, Chowchuen B, Surakunprapha P. A Prospective Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Trial of the Efficacy Using Centella Cream for Scar Improvement. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2018. PMID 30310413; PMC6166374.
- S20Widgerow A, Grivet-Seyve M, Anjuwon S, Emesiani C, Meckfessel M. An Innovative Cream Improves Signs and Symptoms of Dermatoporosis in Patients Aged 65 and Over. J Drugs Dermatol 2025;24(4):352–356. PMID 40196951.
- S21Park KS. Pharmacological Effects of Centella asiatica on Skin Diseases: Evidence and Possible Mechanisms. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2021. PMID 34845411; PMC8627341.
- S22Arribas-López E, Zand N, Ojo O, Snowden MJ, Kochhar T. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Centella asiatica on Wound Healing. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022;19(6):3266. PMID 35328954; PMC8956065.
- S23Bylka W, Znajdek-Awiżeń P, Studzińska-Sroka E, Brzezińska M. Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2013. PMID 24278045; PMC3834700.
- S24Hashim P. The effect of Centella asiatica, vitamins, glycolic acid and their mixtures preparations in stimulating collagen and fibronectin synthesis in cultured human skin fibroblast. Pak J Pharm Sci 2014;27(2):233–7. PMID 24577907.
- S25Thoo YY, Abas F, Lai OM, Ho CW, Yin J, Hedegaard RV, Skibsted LH, Tan CP. Antioxidant synergism between ethanolic Centella asiatica extracts and α-tocopherol in model systems. Food Chem 2013;138(2–3):1215–9. PMID 23411234.
- S26Young GL, Jewell D. Creams for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000. PMID 10796111.
- S27Milani M, Sparavigna A. The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2017. PMID 28860834; PMC5560567.
- S28Chang T-M, Wu C-C, Huang H-C, Lu J-Y, Chuang C-H, Kao P-L, Tang W-H, Liu LT-C, Qiu W-Y, et al. A 28-Day Pilot Study of the Effects on Facial Skin Hydration, Elasticity, and Texture of a Centella asiatica Extracellular Vesicle-Based Serum. Cosmetics 2025;12(5):186.
- S33Kwon KJ, Bae S, Kim K, An IS, Ahn KJ, An S, Cha HJ. Asiaticoside, a component of Centella asiatica, inhibits melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma. Mol Med Rep 2014;10(1):503–7. PMID 24756377. scope.
