Centella Asiatica: Sensitive Skin’s Best Friend?

For many of us, Centella asiatica is a trendy ingredient that’s brand-new to the skincare industry. But what if we told you it’s been used for thousands of years?

Known for growing in boggy, marshy areas, Centella asiatica is a perennial herb primarily cultivated in asia. And while it’s become increasingly popular in cosmetic products, it’s traditionally used in both food and several systems of medicine, such as Southern Herbology in Vietnam, ayurvedic medicine in India, and hanbang in South Korea.

 

In a more contemporary context, Centella asiatica has been a staple in South Korean skincare for a few years now, and Centella asiatica products are often marketed as cica creams or tiger grass cream. And while it’s been seen on and off in U.S. brands, we’re just now beginning to see it boom, alongside K-beauty’s growing international reputation.

 

Cica creams have become a staple in Korean skincare because it’s considered an incredibly soothing ingredient, and it’s believed to help calm down inflammation, improve collagen synthesis, and keep the skin hydrated.

Here’s a more in-depth breakdown of Centella asiatica’s potential benefits.

Anti-Aging

There are many plant-based ingredients known for anti-aging benefits, and this is often attributed to the antioxidants they tend to contain. 

And in the case of Centella asiatica this is true. And yet, its properties appear to be a bit more complex than that.

Centella asiatica is rich in a type of antioxidant known as flavonoids, as well as an active compound known as madecassoside. And while flavonoids help neutralize free radicals, madecassoside is believed to help boost blood circulation and collagen production.

And when it comes to keeping the skin firm and youthful, collagen is nothing to joke about. Collagen is one of the most important proteins in the human body, and it’s one of the main components of bones, skin, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Collagen is sort of like the building blocks of our skin, and it’s what keeps our skin elastic and firm. But as we age, our bodies produce less collagen over time, often causing our skin to loosen and sag.

According to one article from Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, Centella asiatica can rapidly increase the number of fibroblasts in skin and boost collagen production, so you can fortify your skin against signs of aging.

Moisturizing

For many of us, handling dry skin takes a lot more than a little lotion here and there, we need extra skin care assistance!

So how can Centella asiatica help?

It’s believed that besides protecting the skin from damaging factors like pollution & UV damage, Centella asiatica can help repair and strengthen the skin barrier, which plays a major role in retaining moisture in the skin.

Soothing

For those with highly irritable skin, Centella asiatica is more than gentle, in fact, it’s often an extremely soothing ingredient. In fact, it’s widely associated in history with healing and nurturing.

This is likely because of its active compounds, which are called asiaticosides. These asiaticosides are a type of saponin. Saponins are believed to possess a wealth of health benefits, but asiaticosides in particular are especially favored for skin that’s red, itchy, and inflamed.

In one study from The International Journal of Molecular Sciences, it was found that Centella asiatica helped reduce inflammation associated with eczema.

Plus, Centella asiatica is rich in beta-carotene, amino acids, and fatty acids, which are super soothing for sensitive, irritated skin.

Clearing

When you have severe acne, it’s all too easy to reach a point where you just don’t want to try any more solutions. So many products just seem to make acne worse, especially in the case of harsh astringents.

Centella is anything but harsh, and yet, it may still help prevent the onset of breakouts! It’s been theorized that one of its active compounds, madecassic acid, helps reduce acne inflammation while preventing the onset of acne scars.

While formal research on Centella asiatica as an acne treatment is only at its beginning, the evidence so far is promising.

In one study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, it was found that the madecassoside in Centella asiatica lowered inflammation caused by P. acnes, which is the bacteria known to cause acne.

Centella Asiatica in Miracle 7-in1 Primer Serum

If you’re interested in fortifying your beauty routine with this astounding plant, you don’t have to look far! 

There’s an ever-growing number of products containing Centella asiatica, from creams to serums.

And with its soothing, skin-protecting properties, it only makes sense to have it on all day!

When we created our Miracle 7-in-1 Serum Primer, we deliberately looked to Korean skincare for our inspiration. 

Besides centella, this serum-primer hybrid contains soothing, preserving botanicals like fermented ginseng, licorice, chamomile, and green tea.

The result? 

Skin so naturally flawless, you might just rethink applying foundation!

The Miracle 7-in-1 Serum Primer glides effortlessly onto the skin with a velvety, dewy finish, all the while helping to restore vitality, blue imperfections and plump the skin.