Centella (Cica) vs Heartleaf (Houttuynia): which Korean skincare ingredient?
Centella (Cica) vs Heartleaf (Houttuynia): Centella (Cica) leans toward redness & sensitivity, while Heartleaf (Houttuynia) targets acne & breakouts. Can you use both? Yes — they layer well together.
| Centella (Cica) | Heartleaf (Houttuynia) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | “Cica” = Centella asiatica (tiger grass). The go-to soother for sensitive, stressed or breakout-prone skin. | Houttuynia cordata — a trending calming extract for oily, breakout-prone skin. |
| Best for | Redness & sensitivity, Acne & breakouts, Anti-ageing & firmness | Acne & breakouts, Redness & sensitivity, Oil control |
| When to use | BOTH | BOTH |
Which should you choose?
Choose Centella (Cica) if your priority is Redness & sensitivity; choose Heartleaf (Houttuynia) for Acne & breakouts. Many Korean routines use both — yes — they layer well together.
Centella (Cica) guide →Heartleaf (Houttuynia) guide →
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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 is heartleaf in Korean skincare?
Heartleaf, or Houttuynia cordata (어성초 in Korean), is a trending calming extract used in K-beauty to soothe and help balance oily, blemish-prone skin. It's found in lightweight toners and essences and pairs well with centella, niacinamide or BHA for troubled skin.
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.