Centella Asiatica for Skin:
Benefits, Uses & How It Works
Discover the benefits of Centella Asiatica for skin, including how it supports the skin barrier, helps maintain hydration and soothes dry and sensitive skin.
Centella Asiatica is a skincare ingredient that has become increasingly popular for its ability to help care for dry and sensitive skin. Also known as Cica or Gotu Kola, it is often used in the form of an extract in skincare to help support the skin barrier, maintain hydration and leave skin feeling soothed and comfortable1. Whether you're wondering what Centella Asiatica is, exploring its benefits for skin or looking for ways to incorporate it into your daily routine, this guide explains how it works, who it is best suited for and how to use it as part of your skincare routine.
5 Benefits of
Centella Asiatica for Skin
- Supports the Skin Barrier
The skin barrier plays an essential role in helping retain moisture and protecting against external factors. By supporting the skin’s natural repair processes and helping reduce moisture loss, Centella Asiatica contributes to a stronger skin barrier, leaving skin feeling more resilient and comfortable7.
- Helps Soothe Dry and Sensitive-Feeling Skin
Centella Asiatica is commonly used in products designed for dry and sensitive skin. By helping to support the skin barrier and maintain skin hydration, it helps leave skin feeling soothed and comfortable, particularly when it feels dry, tight or temporarily uncomfortable.
- Helps Maintain Skin Hydration
By helping the skin retain moisture7, Centella Asiatica contributes to a softer, smoother and more hydrated-looking complexion as part of a daily skincare routine.
- Provides Antioxidant PropertiesCentella Asiatica contains naturally occurring antioxidant compounds that help defend against oxidative stress2 associated with UV exposure, supporting a more healthy-looking complexion over time.
- Helps Support a Smoother, More Supple-Looking Complexion
As skin matures, natural changes in texture and elasticity can occur8. By helping to maintain skin hydration, Centella Asiatica can contribute to skin that looks smoother, softer and more supple with continued use2.
How to Incorporate Centella Asiatica
into Your Skincare Routine
Centella Asiatica can be found in a wide range of skincare products, making it easy to include in a daily routine.
Depending on your skincare needs, Centella Asiatica can be found in moisturisers, serums, face creams, body lotions and targeted treatments. Choosing products that combine Centella Asiatica with other hydrating and skin barrier-supporting ingredients can help maintain skin hydration and comfort.
Centella Asiatica can be used alongside commonly used skincare ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and Vitamin C, making it easy to incorporate into an existing skincare routine depending on your skin's needs2. For the best results, use your skincare products consistently as part of your daily routine and apply SPF each morning to help protect your skin from UV rays."
If you're looking to incorporate Centella Asiatica into your body care routine, NIVEA Repair & Care Intensive Care Body Serum Lotion contains a 12% blend of Glycerin, naturally derived oils and Centella Asiatica (Cica) extract to help strengthen the skin's barrier and provide long-lasting hydration. Developed with dermatologists for dry to very dry skin, the fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula provides 72h+* moisture and helps repair five signs of dry skin from the first use**.
It helps care for:
- Dryness
- Roughness
- Tightness
- Itchiness
- Irritation
*instrumental test, 43 volunteers.
**4-week clinical study, 44 volunteers.
