Cica-creams are a go-to for those that are looking for something soothing and hydrating. The medicinal herb Centella Asiatica (also known as gotu kola or tiger grass) is at the heart of many formulations and brands. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🟢Many of centella asiatica’s benefits come down to its potential for calming inflammation, encouraging the production of collagen, acting as an antioxidant, and improving skin hydration. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🟢Let’s look at some literature to see if we can back up these claims: One study (1) showed that when researchers applied madecassoside to human skin cells that had the same type of bacteria found in acne, they found that the madecassoside reduced inflammation. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🟢Another study (2) done in rat studies found that centella asiatica can help speed up wound-healing process, specifically the phase in which collagen is needed to close up the wound. Of course, keep in mind that we can't translate animal model studies to human skin. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🟢Another one human study (3) researchers tested out a fluid containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and centella asiatica extract on 20 women’s forearms over the course of 24 hours. One arm got the fluid while the other forearm got a control cream. The researchers measured the hydration level and the amount of water lost throughout the day. Results showed that the arm that got the centella asiatica fluid showed significantly more hydration and less water loss compared to both the participants’ baseline measurements and the control.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🟢Keep in mind that the centella extracts and their concentrations vary from product to product. Some may give you better results than others. Overall, centella is a promising ingredient and is a favorite for many! ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🟢🟢What's your favorite cica product? Comment below! ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ (1) DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2018.1547627⁣⁣ (2) PMID: 9246912⁣⁣ (3) PMID: 28860834