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Centella / Madecassoside (Cica): what the evidence says

⚡ Quick answer: Cica calms redness and strengthens the skin barrier. — Evidence grade: Moderate. 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.

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.

Sources

Related K-beauty guides

🌿 Centella (Cica)🍀 Madecassoside

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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.

General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.