These days, products with Centella Asiatica or Cica are available in different forms such as gels, creams, toners, and cleansers. Want to have that Korean glass skin? Here’s one of the secrets in K-beauty - Centella Asiatica. Also known as cica, it is a natural and gentle ingredient that can help in healing wounds, soothing the skin, and delaying the signs of aging.
It is a plant-derived extract that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. In this article, we will walk you through the many benefits of cica and also share our top 10 picks on the best cica-infused skincare products to buy online. To help you make the right choice, we asked for some comments and tips from dermatologist Dr. Maria Elinor Grace "Meg" Sison!
Maria Elinor Grace "Meg" Sison, MD, MPM, FPDS, is a board-certified dermatologist who practices in the Philippines and sees both medical and cosmetic dermatological cases on the skin, hair, and nails.
For more skincare tips, you can read her blog, or you can like and follow her on Instagram and Facebook!
Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr. Maria Elinor Grace Sison, MD, MPM, FPDS, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.
**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**
The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.
From ₱289
Skin Type | Sensitive and Dry Skin |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Impurities, Excess Sebum |
Net Weight | 150 g |
Product Form | Facial Wash (Gel) |
From ₱640
Skin Type | Normal and Sensitive Skin |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Breakouts, Irritated, Weakened, and Damaged Skin |
Net Weight | 150 mL |
Product Form | Foam Cleanser |
92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel
From ₱599
Skin Type | Oily, Sensitive, Dry Skin |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Excess Sebum, Dead Skin Cells, Irritated & Itchy Skin, Red Bumps |
Net Weight | 300 mL |
Product Form | Soothing Gel |
Image | 1 ![]() Luxe Organix | 2 ![]() COSRX | 3 ![]() SOME BY MI |
---|---|---|---|
Name | Cica Rescue Calming Cleanser | Pure Fit Cica Cleanser | AHA BHA PHA Real Cica |
Features | A Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive and Dry Skin | Cica-7 Complex for Relaxing the Skin | A Multipurpose Soothing Gel for Cooling the Skin |
Price Starts at | ₱289 | ₱640 | ₱599 |
Skin Type | Sensitive and Dry Skin | Normal and Sensitive Skin | Oily, Sensitive, Dry Skin |
Skin Concern | Impurities, Excess Sebum | Breakouts, Irritated, Weakened, and Damaged Skin | Excess Sebum, Dead Skin Cells, Irritated & Itchy Skin, Red Bumps |
Net Weight | 150 g | 150 mL | 300 mL |
Product Form | Facial Wash (Gel) | Foam Cleanser | Soothing Gel |
Link |
We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particle order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.
SPF40 PA+
From ₱2,150
Skin Type | Sensitive Skin |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Blemishes, Redness, UV Ray Exposure |
Net Weight | 55 mL |
Product Form | Correcting Cream |
From ₱314
Skin Type | Normal, Sensitive, Oily, and Acne-Prone Skin |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Irritated Skin, Excess Sebum, Redness, Impurities, Inflammation Caused by Acne |
Net Weight | 150 mL |
Product Form | Toner |
Quick-Effect Repairing Cream
From ₱249
Skin Type | All Skin Types (Especially Mature Skin) |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Flare-Ups, Blemishes, Wrinkles |
Net Weight | 50 mL |
Product Form | Repairing Cream |
From ₱300
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Sun & Shave Burns, Irritated Skin, Mosquito Bites |
Net Weight | 300 mL |
Product Form | Soothing Gel |
From ₱80
Skin Type | Dry Skin |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Dryness |
Net Weight | 30 mL (1 Sheet Mask) |
Product Form | Ampoule Mask Sheet |
From ₱950
Skin Type | All Skin Type (Especially Sensitive Skin) |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Irritated Skin and Redness |
Net Weight | 100 mL (60 Pieces) |
Product Form | Gauze Pad |
From ₱830
Skin Type | Oily |
---|---|
Skin Concern | Acne Control |
Net Weight | Cleansing Foam (30 g), Toner (30 mL), Serum (10 mL), and Cream (20 mL) |
Product Form | Cleansing Foam, Toner, Serum, and Cream |
Image | ![]() Dr. Jart+ | ![]() Luxe Organix | ![]() Baroness | ![]() Missha | ![]() Heimish | ![]() Dermatory | ![]() Nacific |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Cicapair Re-Cover Cream | Cica Rescue Calming Toner | Cica Intense Cream | Premium Cica Aloe Soothing Gel | Cica Live Ampoule Mask | Hypoallergenic Cica Rescue Gauze Pad | Fresh Cica Plus Clear Kit |
Features | Correcting Cream With SPF 40 to Hide Redness | A Calming Toner to Soothe Irritated Skin | Anti-Aging Cream for Reducing Wrinkles | Soothing Cica Aloe Gel for the Face and Body | Hydrating Sheet Mask for Moisturizing Your Face | Sterilized Gauze Pad With Cica Essence | Cica Skincare Set Straight From South Korea |
Price Starts at | ₱2,150 | ₱314 | ₱249 | ₱300 | ₱80 | ₱950 | ₱830 |
Skin Type | Sensitive Skin | Normal, Sensitive, Oily, and Acne-Prone Skin | All Skin Types (Especially Mature Skin) | All Skin Types | Dry Skin | All Skin Type (Especially Sensitive Skin) | Oily |
Skin Concern | Blemishes, Redness, UV Ray Exposure | Irritated Skin, Excess Sebum, Redness, Impurities, Inflammation Caused by Acne | Flare-Ups, Blemishes, Wrinkles | Sun & Shave Burns, Irritated Skin, Mosquito Bites | Dryness | Irritated Skin and Redness | Acne Control |
Net Weight | 55 mL | 150 mL | 50 mL | 300 mL | 30 mL (1 Sheet Mask) | 100 mL (60 Pieces) | Cleansing Foam (30 g), Toner (30 mL), Serum (10 mL), and Cream (20 mL) |
Product Form | Correcting Cream | Toner | Repairing Cream | Soothing Gel | Ampoule Mask Sheet | Gauze Pad | Cleansing Foam, Toner, Serum, and Cream |
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Nowadays, it seems that Centella Asiatica is a common ingredient in most skincare products. But what does it really do? Read below as we discuss everything you need to know about this holy-grail ingredient.
Centella Asiatica or Cica is also referred to as Gotu Kola, Indian Pennywort as well as Tiger Grass because tigers are known to rub their wounds against this plant for healing. It grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of South Africa, Indonesia, India, China, and even the Korean Peninsula.
Generally, skincare products that are infused with cica are great for all skin types- they can enhance the overall appearance of the skin by clearing the complexion. However, cica is especially beneficial to sensitive, acne-prone and mature skin. For it to be effective, always check if the product contains at least 5% of cica extract.
Cica is known to soothe and repair irritated skin for those who suffer from acne, stubborn breakouts, and redness. It is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that aid in lowering inflammation, killing bacteria, and fighting free radicals.
It can also hydrate your skin- making it an excellent moisturizer, especially for dry skin. It enhances the skin barrier to improve your skin’s suppleness and elasticity as well as delay other signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.
Cica contains amino acids, which can speed up the healing of wounds by increasing collagen production. This makes it a great treatment for burns, eczema, and psoriasis. Furthermore, it’s an effective anti-photoaging agent in skincare products, protecting your skin from sun damage. Lastly, it also helps in lessening the appearance of stretch marks.
Here are some key points to consider:
With the rise of cica as a gentle yet effective skincare ingredient, many beauty brands have launched different products that are infused with this "miracle" extract. You can opt for calming toners, hydrating sheet masks, and foaming facial washes according to your skin type and regimen needs.
The most common type, however, are creams and gel-based products in the form of moisturizers and soothing gels. Some are specifically formulated for acne control, reducing wrinkles, neutralizing the skin tone, and soothing irritated skin.
If you don't have an established routine yet, you can also try the cica line of certain skincare brands to experience the full benefits of this natural ingredient.
Your skin type can range from normal, dry, oily, combination to sensitive, and they change over time due to factors like hormones, aging, medications, and the weather. Normal skin isn’t too dry nor too oily and may have a radiant complexion. In contrast, dry skin looks dull, has less skin elasticity, and some may have red patches and roughness.
Oily skin has enlarged pores that are visible. You may have blackheads, whiteheads, and other skin blemishes as a result of excessive sebum. Meanwhile, you have a combination skin type if your chin, nose, and forehead, also known as the t-zone, are oily while the rest of your face is dry.
Having excess oil on your skin is also the typical cause of having acne-prone skin. Sensitive skin is more susceptible to redness, itching, and dryness. This skin type may not tolerate some products because of their harsh ingredients and fragrance. Always check the label to avoid allergens that may trigger reactions that can harm your skin.
Aside from your skin type, you may also have a particular skin concern that you want to address. This will help you narrow down your options since some cica-infused skincare products are formulated to treat a specific skin issue. Moreover, cica is often paired with other potent ingredients in order to effectively combat skin woes.
Science has proven that when vitamin C is combined with Centella Asiatica, they provide wound healing benefits and increase collagen production. Moreover, a study also showed that when these two ingredients are paired together, they can give your skin extra hydration and improved suppleness, in addition to their ability to refine the appearance of wrinkles.
When it comes to treating acne, cica balms or moisturizers contain a concentrated formulation of its active compounds including madecassoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid, and asiaticoside. They help in reducing redness and inflammation as well as speeding up the healing process of acne on your skin.
If you need extra hydration for dry skin, you may want to look for hyaluronic acid and aloe vera extract for added moisture on your skin. On the other hand, AHA, BHA, and PHA products help in removing sebum and dead skin cells to smoothen the skin’s texture.
Check other ingredients such as adenosine, an amino acid that helps boost collagen to maintain the skin’s elasticity. Some brands like L'Oréal have joined the cica bandwagon and launched a cream packed with retinol to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Take a look at what customers are saying about the product before purchasing. While cica skincare products are known for their skin repair, soothing, moisturizing, and anti-aging benefits, they’re not equally formulated. Some brands incorporate other ingredients to treat specific skin conditions.
Look for product reviews that talk about skin issues and skin types that are the same as yours. Also, check out the brands that show third-party clinical reports to verify the effectiveness of their products.
Still have unanswered questions on your mind? Below, Dr. Meg answers some of the web's most asked questions!
In vitro studies on Centella Asiatica and its compounds showed benefit in wound healing and prevention of hypertrophic scars, but there were no human trials conducted if it can fade scars. More studies are needed to prove this claim.
Centella Asiatica is generally safe to use, and there are no reports of incompatibility with other skincare ingredients.
Centella Asiatica does not cause increased cell turnover on the skin, so it cannot cause purging. If you experience an increase in acne while using a product with Centella Asiatica, stop using the product and consult a board-certified dermatologist.
Avoid introducing so many new skincare products in your skincare routine all at the same time to avoid skin irritation and breakouts. Always consult a board-certified dermatologist for guidance on choosing the right skincare products based on your skin concern.
If you don't have a skincare routine yet, it's time to start one- regardless of your age and skin type. Your skin will definitely thank you in the future. Simply follow the basic 3-step skincare regimen, which includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing the skin. Here are some of the best skincare products to get you started.
Cica is more than just a plant that can heal wounds. It's a miracle ingredient in K-Beauty products that is effective in soothing irritated skin. It contains anti-aging, antibacterial, and hydrating properties as well. Now that you're armed with more information about the benefits of this popular natural ingredient, we hope that you'll consider cica-infused skincare products on your next purchase.
Author: Maria Krisette Capati
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Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
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