Centella Asiatica (Cica) in K-Beauty
Centella asiatica, popularly called cica, is a traditional Asian herb that became one of the most famous calming ingredients in modern K-beauty.
Cultural origin
Centella asiatica is a plant used in traditional medicine across parts of Asia, including South and Southeast Asia and East Asia. The nickname 'cica' (from centella) became a global K-beauty buzzword. While the plant's traditional use is broadly Asian rather than uniquely Korean, Korean brands were central to popularizing cica-based soothing skincare worldwide.
Traditional use
Centella asiatica has a long documented history in traditional Asian herbal medicine, where it was used in various preparations. Its actives include compounds known as madecassoside and asiaticoside, often grouped as centella's key constituents. This traditional pedigree as a skin-soothing herb underpins its modern reputation as a calming, barrier-supporting ingredient.
Modern skincare use
In modern K-beauty, centella extract and its purified actives (sometimes labeled centella asiatica extract or madecassoside) anchor a large category of soothing 'cica' products for sensitive, irritated, or compromised skin. These appear in creams, balms, essences, and masks marketed for calming and barrier support. Centella is among the best-known and most-studied soothing botanicals in contemporary skincare.
- Cica is short for Centella asiatica
- A traditional herb used across parts of Asia
- Key actives include madecassoside and asiaticoside
- Popularized globally as a soothing K-beauty staple
- Used for sensitive and irritated skin
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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.
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General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.