Centella Asiatica (Cica): Which Product Is Right for Your Skin?
Centella Asiatica, or Cica for short, is found almost everywhere in Korean skincare: in the toner, in the serum, in the cream, and even in the sunscreen. The plant extract calms irritated skin, reduces redness, and supports the skin barrier. But not every Centella product is the same. Some are pure and fragrance-free, others combine Cica with acids or retinol. So instead of a ranking, here is a guide: 12 products from our range, sorted by what your skin needs right now.
Centella, Cica, Madecassoside: What is what?
- Centella Asiatica is the name of the plant, also known as tiger grass. In the INCI list it usually appears as „Centella Asiatica Extract“.
- Cica is the short form and means the same thing.
- Madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and asiatic acid are the individual active compounds from the plant. If they are listed separately in the INCI list, the manufacturer has added them on purpose.
For sensitive, reddened skin
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
The pure option: only seven ingredients, including Centella Asiatica from Madagascar, without fragrance. Calms redness and irritation, absorbs quickly, and is not sticky. 2–3 drops after the toner, morning and evening. Vegan.
PURITO Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented
49 % Centella extract, plus niacinamide, ceramide NP, hyaluronic acid, and the individual actives asiaticoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid. Unscented, lightweight, not sticky. For skin that needs calming and more hydration at the same time. Vegan.
PURITO Wonder Releaf Centella Cream Unscented
The cream from the same line: Centella extract is first on the INCI list, followed by squalane, shea butter, niacinamide, and ceramide NP. Rich yet quickly absorbed, without fragrance. Vegan. The cream is also available as a scented version. It contains bergamot and lavender oil, so for sensitive skin the Unscented version is the better choice.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Essence Toner
Fermented Centella, five types of hyaluronic acid, ceramide NP, and panthenol in an essence texture that is richer than a classic toner. For sensitive skin that feels tight and needs hydration. Apply a second layer if needed.
For blemish-prone skin with redness
Dearboo Skin Balancing Centella Cica Serum
Here Centella meets 2 % niacinamide and a mild acid complex of AHA, BHA, and PHA. The serum refines pores, loosens flakes and sebum, and reduces dark spots. Lightweight, without a sticky film. If you are new to acids, start every second evening. The serum contains alcohol and fragrance, so for very sensitive skin the products above are a better fit.
Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Cica Spot Cream
A cream for individual spots: Centella, calamine, and tea tree calm reddened and blemished areas. You apply it to specific spots after toner or serum, in the morning, in the evening, or in between. Vegan.
For dry skin with first lines
Centellian24 Madeca Cream Time Reverse
The Madeca Cream combines Cica with anti-aging: the Madeca complex with 12 Cica actives, including madecassic acid and asiaticoside, strengthens the skin barrier. Retinol and adenosine smooth fine lines, niacinamide evens out the complexion, and ceramides, ectoin, and hyaluronic acid provide hydration. The texture sits between a cream and a lotion. Because it contains retinol: apply in the evening, start slowly, use sun protection in the morning. Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
For the eye area
PURITO Wonder Releaf Centella Eye Cream Unscented
Centella extract and a peptide complex for the thin skin around the eyes, without fragrance. Absorbs quickly and is suitable for day and night. Gently pat in with your ring finger. Vegan.
For cleansing
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
A lightweight cleansing oil with Centella extract (10,000 ppm) and six plant oils. It dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and sebum, turns milky with water, and rinses off without an oily film. The first step of your double cleansing in the evening. Vegan. The oil contains essential oils, including bergamot.
Sun protection with Centella
Benton Cica Gel Sunscreen Serum SPF50 PA++++
A gel sunscreen with Centella, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol. The serum texture is refreshing, absorbs quickly, and leaves no white cast. For anyone looking for a lightweight sunscreen for skin that tends to be sensitive. Vegan.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++
Sun protection that wears like a skincare serum: chemical UV filters, Centella extract (9,800 ppm), hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. No white cast, no stickiness. For dehydrated and sensitive skin. Vegan.
To try it out
PURITO Wonder Releaf Centella Mini Kit Unscented
Toner, serum, and cream from the Unscented line in mini sizes. This lets you test whether your skin likes Centella before you buy the full sizes. Also practical for travel. Vegan.
The short version
- Very sensitive skin: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule or the PURITO Unscented line
- Sensitive and dry: SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Essence Toner and PURITO Centella Cream Unscented
- Blemish-prone with redness: Dearboo Centella Cica Serum, and the Benton Spot Cream for individual spots
- Dry with first lines: Centellian24 Madeca Cream Time Reverse
- Still unsure: PURITO Centella Mini Kit Unscented
How to add Centella to your routine
Centella is not an active that your skin first has to get used to. You can use a toner, serum, or cream with Cica in the morning and in the evening. The order stays the same as always: cleansing, toner, serum, cream, and sun protection in the morning. You only need to take care with the combination products: the Dearboo Serum contains acids, the Madeca Cream contains retinol. The rules for those actives apply to both, so start slowly and use SPF during the day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Centella and Cica?
There is none. Cica is the short form of Centella Asiatica. „Cica cream“ and „Centella cream“ refer to the same plant.
What is the Madeca Cream for?
The Centellian24 Madeca Cream Time Reverse is for dry, stressed skin with first fine lines. It combines the Madeca complex of Centella actives with retinol, adenosine, niacinamide, and ceramides. Because of the retinol, you apply it in the evening and use sun protection in the morning.
Can I combine Centella with retinol or acids?
Yes. Some products already do this in one formula: the Madeca Cream with retinol, the Dearboo Serum with AHA, BHA, and PHA. If you use retinol or an exfoliator separately, a pure Centella product like the SKIN1004 Ampoule fits in as a calming step.
Which Centella product has no fragrance?
The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule and all PURITO products labeled „Unscented“. If in doubt, check the INCI list on the product page: some Centella products contain perfume or essential oils.
You can find all products with Cica in the Centella Asiatica collection. If you want a ready-made routine right away: the Sensitive Full Calm Routine is fragrance-free and vegan. The guide Best Korean Serum shows more serums, and the guide Best Korean Moisturizer shows more creams. In the skincare set builder you put together your own routine and get an automatic discount from 5 products. Shipping from Vienna across Austria, free from €60.