Best Korean Centella Asiatica Skincare Products of 2023

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Editorial Team
We review Korean and Japanese beauty products, so you don't have to do it! With years of experience studying and trying various products, this team has honed its skills in identifying the most useful, reliable, and high-quality Asian beauty products.

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Centella Asiatica is one of the most loved ingredients when it comes to skincare and Korean skincare.

Also called “cica,” this ingredient is widely used in K-beauty because of its skin benefits. If you’re wondering what Centella Asiatica is, how to use it, how it works, and what are the best Korean Centella Asiatica products to buy, keep reading this article.

What is Centella Asiatica?

Centella Asiatica is a herb that grows primarily in Asia. It’s been used for centuries to treat illnesses and heal wounds but also as a cooking ingredient. Nowadays, it’s gaining recognition as a skincare ingredient with Korean brands using it for its extensive benefits.

What does Centella asiatica do for the skin?

Cica, or Gotu Kola, contains a high concentration of amino acids, beta-carotene, and fatty acids: these three elements make the herb extremely beneficial to hydrate and help soothe and repair dry, red, and irritated skin.

Centella is also able to boost circulation, increase collagen production, improve skin firmness and elasticity while also increasing antioxidant levels because of the presence of madecassoside and asiaticoside. Plus, it’s antimicrobial.

Of course, Centella is not a miracle ingredient, and it’s not the only natural ingredient with incredible benefits for the skin. But it’s definitely one of those ingredients to add to your K-beauty routine, taking advantage of the best Korean Centella Asiatica products that are available.

Best Korean Centella Asiatica Products

Here you have a selection of the best Korean Centella Asiatica Products to add to your routine. A beauty product is not magic so make sure you also have a good lifestyle and eat healthy to help your skin being flawless. I’ve also highlighted other products of the same line or the same brand that you should use for each product.

If you don’t have time to read everything, these are the Centella-based products I’ve recommended below:

Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum

Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum

The Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum is always on top of every list for Korean products with cica. This serum contains 49% Centella Asiatica extract mixed with niacinamide, panthenol, and adenosine result, free from ethanol, paraben, PEG, mineral oil, and other harmful chemicals a product that increases collagen production, evens out the skin tone and reduces wrinkle appearance.

It can be paired with the following products of the same line:

iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream

iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream

The Centella Calming Gel Cream from iUNIK contains 70% Centella leaf water, 10% tea tree leaf water, and 6 different sprout extracts (pak choi, broccoli, sprout wheat, clover, white radish, cabbage). This cream helps to keep skin hydrated night and day without clogging pores or heavy feelings.

It can be paired with the following product of the same line:

COSRX Centella Blemish Cream

COSRX Centella Blemish Cream

COSRX Centella Blemish Cream fights irritation and redness, prevents acne scars after a breakout. The product is free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and alcohol. Despite being used mostly to treat acne, the Centella Blemish Cream also nourishes and regenerates the skin. It contains zinc oxide. For this reason, it can leave a white cast when applied.

It can be paired with the following products of the same line:

A'Pieu Madecassoside Cream

A'Pieu Madecassoside Cream

The A'Pieu Madecassoside Cream calms damaged skin thanks to the madecassoside, one of the key components of Centella Asiatica. This balm delivers intense hydration while repairing skin and reducing wrinkles. Use it in the evening to seal in the moisture from the rest of your routine.

It can be paired with the following products of the same line:

Dr Jart+ Cicapair Cream

Dr Jart+ Cicapair  Cream

Dr. Jart+ has been one of the first Korean brands to export the Centella Asiatica trend Worldwide. The Cicapair Cream moisturizes and soothes dry and sensitive skin while visibly reducing redness's appearance to promote a brighter and more even complexion. It can be used after moisturizer.

It can be paired with the following products of the same line:

Innisfree Bija Cica Gel

Innisfree Bija Cica Gel

Innisfree Bija Cica Gel is one of the most loved Korean products with Centella. It's formulated with madecassoside, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, and Asiatic acid combined with Bija oil, a special ingredient from the island of Jeju in South Korea, where the company is located. It hydrates, soothes the skin, and it's perfect for treating oily skin and acne.

Some By Me Cool Calming Soothing Gel

Some By Me Cool Calming Soothing Gel

Formulated with 92% Centella Asiatica and mugwort leaf extracts, Some By Me Cool Calming Soothing Gel is light and instantly hydrates and refreshes your skin. It contains AHA, BHA, PHA to remove excess sebum, dead skin cells, and skin impurities. It also includes 3 types of Hyaluronic Acid to locks in skin moisture and a cooling effect to irritated skin.

It can be paired with the following products of the same line:

Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask

Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask

This Cica Sleeping Mask from Laneige is ideal for giving your skin a boost during the night. Once applied, it helps soothe stressed skin and strengthen its moisture barrier for a more hydrated complexion. It has a creamy texture that doesn't leave marks on your pillow and has to be washed out in the morning.

Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad

Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Pad

Neogen is famous for its pads, and the Real Cica Pad is perfect for soothing the irritated and sensitized skin, reducing redness and inflammation, and promoting collagen production. The Cica repair essence and PHA moisture peeling ingredients supply skin-calming hydration while removing dead skin cells and excess sebum.

It can be paired with the following products of the same line:

Is Centella Asiatica worth the hype?

Centella Asiatica, or cica, is definitely worth the hype. This herb boosts collagen and decreases inflammation, and just these two benefits are worth the hype. If your skin is damaged, itchy, red, Centella is perfect: its healing power can treat small wounds, hypertrophic wounds, as well as burns, psoriasis, and scleroderma.

Centella Asiatica Products: FAQs

Here a few answers to some of the most asked questions about Korean products with Centella.

How long does Centella take to work?

If used every day, Centella Asiatica shows results in a week from the first usage. The benefits continue to increase after four weeks, so using it regularly is highly recommended.

Is Centella Asiatica good for acne?

Centella is a good help in fighting acne and oily skin. In fact, it improves oil balance, speeds healing, helps prevent scarring and future blemishes. Make sure you choose a gel-type product to get the most out of your Centella-based product against acne.

Is Centella Asiatica anti-aging?

By stimulating collagen production, Centella helps improve skin firmness, elasticity, and at the same in reducing wrinkles. Use it with the help of a face roller to make sure it penetrates the skin.

What are the side effects of cica?

Cica doesn't have side effects topically. But since it's a natural herb, make sure you're not allergic to it! Before using it extensively on your face, apply a small amount on your elbow and let it rest for 18-24 hours: if you don't have any reaction to it, you're good to go.

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