Centella Asiatica in Skin Care Products
Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu Kola or Indian Pennywort, is a lesser known plant extract that offers notable skin care benefits. It is full of potent anti-aging compounds and helps develop collagen in the skin. Do you want radiant, youthful skin? With so many skincare products on the market, it can be overwhelming trying to find the right ingredients for your skin type. Keep reading to find my recommendations for the best products with centella asiatica in skin care! If you haven’t taken the Baumann Skin Type quiz to find the best regimen for you, you can click the button below to get started for free!
What is centella asiatica?
Centella asiatica is a perennial herb native to tropical wetlands in Asia and Africa (1). It looks kind of like a clover, but with one circular leaf. Also known as Gotu Kola or Indian Pennywort, this plant has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine (2). Today, extracts from centella asiatica are gaining popularity in anti-aging skincare products. Here are a few of my favorites:
What is centella asiatica made of?
Centella asiatica contains active compounds called triterpenoids, including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid (3). These phytochemicals are responsible for the herb’s healing and rejuvenating properties. Asiaticoside in particular has been shown to stimulate collagen production, a key protein in healthy, youthful skin (4). Besides these compounds, centella asiatica extract contains tons of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids that give it a rich, thick feeling on the skin.
Benefits of centella asiatica in skin care
Research shows that centella asiatica offers numerous benefits when applied topically:
Boosts collagen production (4)
Improves skin hydration and elasticity (5)
Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (5)
Speeds healing of wounds (3)
Fades scars and stretch marks (6)
Soothes skin inflammations like eczema (5)
Treats minor burns (3)
These varied effects make centella asiatica a useful ingredient for aging, damaged and sensitive skin. The triterpenoids stimulate new collagen while reducing redness and inflammation that can lead to skin aging.
is centella asiatica safe?
Is centella asiatica safe?
Numerous studies confirm that topical application of centella asiatica extract is very safe and non-irritating (7, 8). The EWG rates cantella asiatica as extremely safe and sustainable for use in skin care. Contact sensitivity is extremely unlikely even at high concentrations (8). Centella is non-toxic and considered gentle enough for daily use. The only potential risk is that it contains a high concentration of comedogenic palmitic fatty acids. This means that acne prone sensitive skin types might not react well to this ingredient.
Centella asiatica for anti-aging
Because it stimulates collagen production, centella asiatica is emerging as an exciting anti-aging ingredient. In one study, volunteers applying a cream with centella extract saw increased skin elasticity and firmer skin after just 4 weeks (5). After 8 weeks, they experienced less lines, smoother skin texture, and more even pigmentation.
Research also shows that the asiaticoside in centella asiatica protects skin cells from damage caused by UV radiation, pollution and other environmental stressors that accelerate aging (7, 3). By shielding your skin from harm and actively repairing damage, centella keeps your skin feeling youthful. Here are some of our favorite anti-aging products with centella asiatica:
Centella asiatica for wound healing
Centella asiatica has been used for centuries to heal wounds and burns in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine (9). Modern research confirms its ability to accelerate healing. In one study, rats treated with centella healed wounds faster with less scarring compared to untreated rats (10).
For humans, centella creams also improve healing after surgery, burns, or scrapes. It stimulates new skin cell growth while reducing inflammation. This speeds up recovery time and prevents thick, raised scars from forming (7, 8).
Centella asiatica powder vs oil
You can find centella asiatica in skincare products in powder or oil form. The powder is simply dried, ground centella leaves. It retains the active compounds like asiaticoside. However, some experts believe making a tea or extract optimizes absorption.
Centella oil is an infusion of the leaves in a carrier oil, like olive or coconut oil. This allows the oil-soluble triterpenoids to be efficiently extracted into the oil. High quality centella oil delivers maximum benefits. Look for organic, cold-pressed oil for the best results.
Closing thoughts
Knowing your Baumann Skin Type is key to finding the perfect skincare routine. If you have aging, sensitive or damaged skin, centella asiatica may be right for you. Its collagen-boosting, healing properties make centella a top anti-aging and restorative ingredient. Try products containing centella asiatica powder or oil to achieve younger, healthier skin naturally.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.