Key takeaways
- Centella asiatica is a plant — also called gotu kola, or bua bok in Thai.
- It's prized for soothing redness and supporting a stressed skin barrier.
- It's gentle enough to use morning and night alongside most actives.
- 'Cica' on a label is shorthand for centella-based calming products.
If you've spent any time in a Korean skincare aisle, you'll have seen 'cica' everywhere — on creams, serums, toner pads and sheet masks. Cica is shorthand for centella asiatica, a plant that has been used in traditional remedies across Asia for a very long time. In Thailand it's known as bua bok, and you may even have seen it as a drink.
What centella does for skin
Centella contains compounds — including madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid — that are prized in skincare for calming and comforting the skin. It's widely used for:
- Redness and irritation after sun, heat or over-exfoliation.
- Supporting a stressed skin barrier, so skin feels less tight and reactive.
- Breakout-prone skin that's also sensitive, where harsher treatments sting.
- Recovery — many people use cica products after procedures, as advised by their clinic.
Who it suits
Centella is about as gentle as active ingredients get, which is why it's a staple for sensitive skin. It's also useful for acne-prone skin that's red and irritated, and for anyone whose skin is stressed by Bangkok's heat, sun and humidity.
How to use it
- 1
Choose a format
Toners and toner pads for a light layer, serums for a concentrated dose, creams to finish.
- 2
Apply morning and night
After cleansing and toning, before moisturiser and sunscreen.
- 3
Pair freely
Centella works well with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and panthenol.
- 4
Use it as a reset
If your skin is irritated, pause strong actives and use centella and a moisturiser alone for a week or two.
Reading 'cica' labels
| On the label | What it means |
|---|---|
| Centella asiatica extract | The whole-plant extract |
| Madecassoside | A purified active compound from centella |
| Asiaticoside | Another centella compound |
| Cica / CICA | Marketing shorthand — check the ingredient list for which form |
| Tiger grass | A nickname for centella used by some brands |
Any downsides?
Centella is well tolerated by most people, but no ingredient suits everyone, and some cica products include fragrance or other botanicals that can irritate. If your skin is very reactive, choose short, fragrance-free ingredient lists and patch-test first.
Find centella in our skincare edit and Korean beauty collection, or read the ingredient glossary.
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This guide is general information, not medical advice. Patch-test new products, and see a doctor or dermatologist about persistent skin problems.
