Centella asiatica

Centella asiatica is a creeping herb in the Apiaceae (carrot and parsley) family, also called gotu kola or tiger grass. It has a long history in traditional Asian medicine. In skincare, brands use whole-plant extracts or isolated compounds like asiaticoside and madecassoside. "Cica" is the nickname you'll see on labels.

The plant grows in warm, damp environments, and it's most associated with South and Southeast Asia. Skincare ingredients are typically extracted from its leaves or aboveground parts, then processed into extracts or purified compounds. Where a specific product's plant is grown and how it's processed varies by brand, and many labels don't say.

We found no solid evidence that centella lightens your natural skin tone, so treat whitening claims with suspicion. It's used to soothe irritated skin, and less irritation may mean fewer lingering marks from inflammation. That's an indirect effect at best, and it's not the same as a brightening or lightening ingredient.

We found no strong evidence that centella itself clogs pores. Breakouts after starting a centella product more often trace back to other ingredients in the formula, like heavy oils or occlusives, or to irritation or an allergic reaction. If you're breaking out, patch test and change one product at a time to find the culprit.

Most centella products are designed for daily use, once or twice a day, and the label is your best guide. Serums and toners generally go on after cleansing and before moisturizer. If your skin is reactive, start with once a day for a week or two and add more only if your skin tolerates it.