Cica (Centella) Madecassoside · Benefits · How to Use
Updated 2026 · By the Beauty Dupe editorial team
On a day when your skin stings no matter what you put on it, a cica product is usually the first thing you reach for. Cica is short for centella asiatica extract. Its nickname "tiger grass" comes from an old legend about wounded tigers rolling in patches of the plant to heal. Today it is the ingredient most tied to K-beauty soothing care, used to calm stressed skin and smooth its texture.
The short version Centella gets its power from four soothing compounds called saponins: madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid and asiatic acid. They help calm skin and support its recovery, so checking whether a label names them makes shopping a lot easier. Of the 2,426 ingredient lists we have collected, 497 contain centella extract and 628 contain it or one of its compounds.
At a glance
Also known as
Centella asiatica, cica, tiger grass, TECA
Family
Plant saponins (triterpenoids)
EWG rating
1
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Generally considered usable (check with your doctor)
Photosensitivity
None (use day or night)
Key benefits
Soothing, redness relief, smoother texture, elasticity support
The four things centella does best
1. Soothing and calming inflammation
When skin turns red and puffy, it sends out inflammatory signals. Lab results show centella can turn those signals down, which is why it gets used to settle redness and swelling. Most of that evidence comes from lab and animal studies, though. A 2021 review also called for better controlled long-term clinical trials.
2. Helping damaged skin recover
It encourages the cells that build elasticity (fibroblasts) to make more collagen. That helps smooth rough texture and fade the marks a breakout leaves behind. It also fits the plant's long history in caring for small wounds.
3. Supporting collagen
It helps skin make more of the collagen (types I and III) that keeps it firm, which strengthens the deeper layer of skin called the dermis. It will not iron out wrinkles. Think of it as helping your skin hold on to the bounce it already has.
4. Antioxidant protection
It also has antioxidant action that cuts down the free radicals pushing skin toward early aging. That helps protect against sun-driven aging (photoaging) and everyday environmental stress. It is known to pair nicely with vitamin E.
How does centella actually work in the skin?
Put simply, centella acts like a firefighter for skin that has heated up. Its soothing saponins sink into the skin's outer layer (the epidermis) to calm irritated skin and help it make the components tied to elasticity. That is why it is used to help reactive skin settle and smooth out.
Madecassoside is the one best known for soothing reactive skin. If your face flushes easily, steady use can help visible redness fade over time.
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Madecassoside vs madecassic acid vs asiaticoside
Centella's benefits come from four plant-based soothing compounds in the triterpenoid saponin family. The names look alike but each one does a slightly different job.
Madecassoside is the star soother. It calms reactive skin and helps ease inflammation.
Asiaticoside is known for supporting collagen.
Madecassic acid is the acidic form, so it absorbs well and helps build collagen.
Asiatic acid is known for easing inflammation and holding back bacteria, so it shows up in acne care.
A standardized blend of these compounds is called TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica). It is usually described as asiaticoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid, and some studies count madecassoside in too. In the ingredient lists we have collected, 233 products contain all four compounds and 370 contain madecassoside.
How to pick a cica product
Cica products roughly fall into three groups, depending on which compound they lead with.
Calming
High madecassoside
Instant care for redness and breakouts.
Texture
High asiaticoside
For uneven marks and texture.
All-rounder
Full TECA set
A balance of every benefit.
A label that only says "contains centella extract" does not tell you much about what is inside. Wording like "contains TECA" or "X% madecassoside" is far clearer. Of the 497 products in our data with centella extract, only 70 list it in the top 10 ingredients. So do not assume a cica name means a lot of cica. Check the label first.
Side effects and precautions
Gentle on the whole, which is why it turns up so often in products for expectant mothers and babies.
Allergies are uncommon. Being a plant ingredient, it can still cause a reaction now and then, so patch test first.
Easygoing for acne-prone skin. It is known to be non-comedogenic and does not tend to clog pores.
Fine after a laser or peel. Its recovery-friendly nature makes it a regular in post-treatment care.
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What to pair it with, and in what order
Great synergy
Panthenol (soothing synergy)
Niacinamide (barrier + calming)
Ceramides (recovery combo)
Retinol (eases irritation)
Hyaluronic acid (extra hydration)
Almost nothing
No ingredient is known to work badly alongside it
With potentially irritating actives like retinol, AHAs and BHAs, cica works like a seatbelt. Apply your active first and follow with a cica pad to soften the sting. Almost nothing is known to clash with it, so it fits easily anywhere in a routine.
Popular products with centella
Already using a cica product? Search for it with the button below and see which centella compounds it actually contains.
Yes, it is the same plant. "Cica" is short for cicatrize (to heal a scar) and works as a marketing name for centella. Its botanical name is Centella asiatica.
What is madecassoside and what does it do?
It is one of the four calming compounds taken from centella, and its strength is soothing and easing irritation. The other three (asiaticoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid) lean more toward collagen support. A label that names it and states the amount tells you more than "centella extract" alone.
Does madecassoside have side effects?
It is on the gentle side and shows up widely in products for babies and pregnancy. Plant-based allergies are rare but possible. If it is your first time, patch test a little on your inner arm.
Is it okay for sensitive skin?
Yes, it tends to suit it well. It helps calm skin and ease inflammation, so it is a sensible first pick for sensitive types. Still, run a patch test the first time.
Does it help with acne?
It helps calm skin that has flared up from breakouts. It settles irritation so skin feels more comfortable, and it helps lighten the marks blemishes leave behind.
Can I use it after a laser treatment?
Yes, you can. Its recovery-friendly nature is why many dermatologists are known to suggest a cica cream for post-treatment soothing. Skin can react differently right after a procedure, so follow your provider's guidance first.
Is it safe for babies and during pregnancy?
Yes, it is gentle enough to show up in baby moisturizers and soothing creams for expectant mothers. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, patch test any new product first.
Can I use it every day?
Yes, morning and night are both fine. It is not photosensitive, so daytime use is no problem. It also helps skin recover from sun and fine dust.
