What Centella Asiatica (Cica) Actually Does for Skin
Cica cream science, explained: what asiaticoside and madecassoside actually do for your skin, backed by real studies, not marketing claims.

Emma Lee
Jul 15, 2026Cica — shorthand for centella asiatica — has become one of skincare's most-reached-for soothing ingredients, and unlike many trending actives, the science behind it is genuinely solid.
The plant contains four active triterpene compounds: asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid.
Together, these measurably reduce inflammation, support ceramide production, and help lower transepidermal water loss — meaning cica gives skin the raw materials to rebuild its own barrier, not just sit on top of it.
Clinical research also shows centella stimulates type I collagen production in dermal fibroblasts, lending credibility to firming claims that are often dismissed as marketing.
Most studies showing real barrier and redness benefits used concentrations in the 2.5% to 5% range — a useful benchmark when comparing products.
The K-beauty "cica cream" boom traces to Dr. Jart+'s Cicapair Tiger Grass line in 2016, not centuries of rediscovered tradition — though the plant's medicinal history genuinely spans two thousand years.







