Centella / Madecassoside (Cica): what the evidence says
The claim: Cica calms redness and strengthens the skin barrier.
Moderate evidence
What the research actually shows
Centella asiatica and its purified component madecassoside are among the better-studied K-beauty botanicals for supporting a calm, comfortable look in sensitive or stressed skin. The plant's triterpenes (madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid) have antioxidant and soothing properties in lab and some clinical work, and madecassoside is the most-characterized of these. There is no single agreed cosmetic percentage, and most evidence supports comfort and the appearance of reduced redness rather than treatment of any skin condition. Generally well tolerated.
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🙋 People also ask
What is cica or centella in skincare?
Cica is short for Centella asiatica, a plant also called tiger grass and widely used in Korean skincare to soothe the look of redness and support a comfortable, resilient barrier. It's a go-to for sensitive, stressed or breakout-prone skin in calming creams and serums.
What does cica mean in Korean skincare?
Cica is shorthand for Centella asiatica, a botanical used across Korean soothing products. Cica formulas are aimed at the look of redness, irritation and a stressed barrier.
✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-23.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.