Centella Asiatica (Cica): The Calming Ingredient Behind Sensitive-Skin Favorites

You'll often see it labeled 'cica' — short for centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola or tiger grass. It's one of the most trusted calming ingredients in Korean skincare, and it earned that reputation the old-fashioned way: it actually works.

Where It Comes From

Centella asiatica is a small leafy plant used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries to help heal wounds and soothe skin. K-Beauty brands extract its active compounds — including madecassoside and asiaticoside — for use in modern formulas.

What It Helps With

Cica is best known for calming redness and irritation, supporting the skin's barrier, and helping skin recover faster from things like breakouts, over-exfoliation, or sun exposure. It's a go-to ingredient after using a retinol or strong acid, or any time your skin feels reactive.

Who It's For

Sensitive, reactive, or acne-prone skin benefits most, but cica is gentle enough that almost anyone can use it — including as a preventative step to keep the skin barrier strong before problems start.

How to Use It

Cica shows up in toners, serums, creams, and sheet masks. For an irritated or 'having a bad skin day' moment, a cica-based toner pad or sheet mask is a fast way to calm things down. For daily barrier support, look for it layered into your regular moisturizer.

Browse our cica and centella picks across the Skincare shop.