Centella Asiatica Extract

📋 Quick facts

Description: Centella Asiatica Extract — soothing, barrier repair.

All Functions: soothing, barrier repair

Quick Facts:

• Category: active
• Also Known As: Cica
• Comedogenic Rating: 0/5

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Centella asiatica extract contains bioactive compounds including triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids
• In human studies, formulations with 5% extract improved skin hydration and reduced water loss after 4 weeks of twice-daily use
• Research shows anti-inflammatory effects in both cell studies and animal models of inflammatory skin conditions
• An oral extract reduced wrinkle formation and improved skin elasticity in a mouse photoaging study over 8 weeks
• Cell culture tests found the extract did not harm human skin cells at concentrations up to 200 μg/mL
• The main active compound asiaticoside may penetrate skin more effectively when delivered in specialized niosome formulations

📊 Comedogenicity

0/5

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Centella asiatica extract is a plant ingredient rich in several types of bioactive molecules that researchers believe contribute to its skin benefits (Indian J Pharm Sci, 2016). These include triterpenoid saponins and flavonoids—plant compounds with potential antioxidant properties. #1: Skin hydration and barrier function—In a 4-week human study, volunteers applied cosmetic creams and gels containing 2.5% or 5% Centella asiatica extract twice daily to their forearms. The 5% formulations performed best, increasing skin surface hydration and decreasing transepidermal water loss (the amount of water evaporating from skin), measured using specialized instruments called a corneometer and tewameter (Indian J Pharm Sci, 2016).

This suggests the ingredient may help skin retain moisture. #2: Anti-inflammatory activity—The same human study tested whether the extract could reduce skin inflammation using a methyl nicotinate model, which induces temporary micro-inflammation in human skin. The 5% formulation showed anti-inflammatory effects in this test (Indian J Pharm Sci, 2016). In cell culture experiments, Centella asiatica extract inhibited the production of inflammatory molecules (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) in a dose-dependent manner when cells were stimulated to become inflamed (Nutrients, 2020). Additionally, in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis (a chronic inflammatory skin condition), both topical and oral administration of the extract reduced mast cell infiltration and decreased expression of multiple inflammatory signaling molecules including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-5, and others (Nutrients, 2020).

The research authors suggest this points to potential therapeutic value, though human studies for atopic dermatitis have not been provided in these sources. #3: Protection against sun damage—An 8-week study in hairless mice exposed to repeated ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation found that orally administered, standardized Centella asiatica extract significantly reduced wrinkle formation, transepidermal water loss, and accumulation of malondialdehyde (a marker of oxidative stress). The extract also enhanced skin hydration, elasticity, and antioxidant enzyme activity while increasing collagen expression and restoring hyaluronic acid and ceramide—lipids important for skin barrier function (Int J Mol Sci, 2025). The extract suppressed matrix metalloproteinases (enzymes that break down skin structure) and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines.

A dose-response effect was observed, with the higher dose (80 mg/kg) showing more consistent improvements, though these findings are from animal studies, not human trials. #4: Safety profile—In cell culture, Centella asiatica extract did not reduce the viability of human dermal fibroblasts (cells that produce skin structure) at any concentration tested up to 200 μg/mL, and showed no dose-dependent cytotoxic effects (J Craniofac Surg, 2026). This supports a favorable safety profile in vitro, though this represents laboratory conditions rather than real-world skin application. #5: Skin penetration—Research on formulation delivery systems found that niosome carriers (tiny vesicles used to encapsulate actives) surface-modified with hyaluronic acid could enhance penetration of asiaticoside, one of the extract’s main compounds, through the stratum corneum (the outermost dead skin layer) and into the dermis in larger amounts compared to unformulated extract solution (J Liposome Res, 2020).

This is relevant for product developers but does not directly indicate how much penetration occurs with standard cosmetic formulations. Limitations: The human data is limited to a single 4-week study with 25 volunteers measuring objective skin parameters. Photoaging and anti-inflammatory findings come primarily from animal or cell studies. No human trials specifically testing the extract for atopic dermatitis, wrinkle reduction, or sun protection have been provided in these sources.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Ratz-Łyko A et al. (2016). Moisturizing and Antiinflammatory Properties of Cosmetic Formulations Containing Centella asiatica Extract. Indian J Pharm Sci.
• Lee Y et al. (2020). Inhibitory Effect of Centella asiatica Extract on DNCB-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in HaCaT Cells and BALB/c Mice. Nutrients.
• Choi YJ et al. (2025). Oral Centella asiatica Extract Attenuates UVB-Induced Skin Photoaging via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Extracellular Matrix-Preserving Effects in Hairless Mice. Int J Mol Sci.
• Değirmenci A et al. (2026). Targeting Oral Tissue Regeneration With Standardized Centella asiatica Extract: Experimental Insights From Human Fibroblast Cultures. J Craniofac Surg.
• Wichayapreechar P et al. (2020). Dermal targeting of Centella asiatica extract using hyaluronic acid surface modified niosomes. J Liposome Res.

📰 Recent News

• Standardized Centella asiatica extract (ECa 233) mitigates chlorhexidine-induced cytotoxicity and promotes oral wound repair via immunomodulation and angiogenesis (PubMed)
• Targeting Oral Tissue Regeneration With Standardized Centella asiatica Extract: Experimental Insights From Human Fibroblast Cultures (PubMed)

🧴 Products Containing Centella Asiatica Extract

• Erborian Solid Cleansing Oil
• face
• Eveline Cosmetics Cooling compress hydrogel eye pads
• Nature’s Answer PerioBrite Mouthwash
• Cosmia Q10 – recharge creme jour anti-rides
• Cosmia Q10 – recharge creme nuit anti-rides
• Cosmia Creme jour anti-rides au q10
• Instituto Español Loción corporal Arnica Piernas Cansadas
• pixi Clarity Tonic
• Anadia Profesional Crema anticelulítica reductora
• Anadia Profesional Gel reafirmante hipotérmico
• L’OREAL NORGE AS Revitalift Laser Night Skin Care 50ml
• Be+ med reparador
• Deliplus Crema corporal reafirmante
• Hoito Saç maskesi
• SB Mask with glitter
• Palmer’s Crema para el busto
• mouthwash
• Null all clean
• Skinfood Egg White Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam
• Dirk Rossmann GmbH, Isana Isana med akut Handcreme
• Vitamasque Cranberry & Apple Limited Edition
• Avon organist Apple cider vinegar
• Deluvia Miracle, aloe cream
• soap
• Mustela Gel fermeté corps
• Cosmia Crème mains anti-âge 2 en 1
• Cosmia Soin de jour hydratant
• Cosmia Q10 – creme nuit anti-rides
• Tandpasta
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Strike a Rose
• Yves rocher Lait hydratant fermeté 2 en 1
• Omum L’Expert
• happybrush Repair & Care
• caremare Astaxanthin Hyaluron Anytime Hydra Spray
• Naturehla Hair oil with 4 herbs
• Boob tape remover
• Bioaqua 7x Ceramide Skin Barrier Repair Moisturize Cream
• Equilibra Aloe Collutorio Tripla Azione
• Palmer’s Lotion de massage Anti Vergertures