Ingredient
Centella Asiatica (Cica)
The calming ingredient Korean skincare built a category on.
Also on labels as: Cica · Madecassoside · Asiaticoside · CICA
What it is
A plant extract used for soothing. It is not an active in the sense that an acid or a retinoid is — it does not change cell turnover or fade pigment. What it does is help a stressed barrier settle, which is often exactly what a routine needs.
Who it suits
Skin that is red, reactive, or recovering from over-exfoliation. Also the sensible thing to reach for when you have been using too many actives and need to do less for a month.
Strength and how to start
Percentage is rarely stated and rarely matters. Look for madecassoside or asiaticoside named on the ingredient list rather than just 'cica' on the front, which is a marketing word that can mean very little.
Pairs with
Calm plus rebuild is the standard barrier-recovery pair.
For redness that has spots in it as well.
Be careful with
Nothing
It is compatible with everything. The only caution is not to assume it fixes damage caused by something you are still using.
In Bangladesh
Heat, sweat and sun all make redness more visible, and an air-conditioned office after a humid commute is a daily swing most skin here does without complaint — but reactive skin does not. A cica gel in the evening is a low-cost thing to try.
Common questions
Is cica the same as centella?
Cica is shorthand for centella. The useful compounds are madecassoside and asiaticoside; check for those rather than the word on the front.
Products coming at launch
We are not selling yet. When we open in early 2027 we will stock products built around this ingredient — with the source of every batch recorded. Leave your number and we will tell you once.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Skincare products are not medicines. Speak to a dermatologist about persistent or worsening skin conditions.