Centella asiatica, sometimes called Cica, is an herb found in wetlands around the world. Its medicinal properties have been used throughout Asia for centuries, and its powerful skin-loving effects are starting to gain traction in other areas of the world.
Cica is heavily studied and has been shown to demonstrate strong anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and skin hydrating properties. Its ability to reduce inflammatory responses is key to its wound-healing abilities; not only can it reduce swelling and inflammatory responses, but it can also limit scar tissue formation. In addition, it’s been shown to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels to help promote wound healing.
The natural plant extract is rich in antioxidants, helping to mitigate free radical damage caused by UV radiation, pollution, and smoking. Additional studies have shown that cica can increase skin hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Sources:
- https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4852572/
- https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8956065/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24399761/
This article is reviewed by Alli Reed, PhD on 4/26/2023.