Just like Hollywood has the ‘IT’ girls of the moment, the skincare world keeps us chasing the most game-changing and effective ingredients, and Cica is the new kid on the block on everybody’s lips and skin. Well, if this is the first time you’re hearing about it, let’s break it down. Cica otherwise known as Centella Asiatica has been a household name ingredient in the world of K-Beauty — which has been a pioneering force in the skincare industry.
This powerful ingredient is packed full of amino acids, fatty acids, and phytochemicals, including vitamins C, A, B1, and B2. Studies have also shown that an extract of this leaf herb is so powerful, that it could help heal incisions and burns, according to eastern medicine. It seems that this efficacious and transforming ingredient is making it’s waves to the western world too. In fact, UK consumers searches have upped by 90% so GLAMOUR spoke to Dr. Ejikeme, Medical Consultant, Skin expert and Founder of Adonia Medical Clinic, so she could answer all of your burning questions.
Question: What is Cica?
Answer: “Cica is short for centella asiatica, a medicinal plant or botanical. Worth noting that Centella asiatica also goes by other names including gotu kola, Indian pennywort and tiger grass. The active ingredients which are extracted from this plant include: pentacyclic triterpenes, mainly asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid.”
Question: What are the benefits of Cica?
Answer: “The active ingredients within it are beneficial for dry-very dry skin. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can help support the barrier function of the skin.”
Question: Best ways to implement Cica in your skincare routine?
Answer: “Cica can be implemented in your skincare routine by using it in your daily moisturiser or serum once or twice a day. Everyday of the week”
Question: What should we be looking for when choosing a good Cica product?
Answer: “Best way to identify Cica in a product is to look out for the key ingredients above as these may be more likely listed as such; pentacyclic triterpenes, mainly asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Sometimes it is listed by the full names centella asiatica or others such as cicaplast or cicapair.”
Now that we have the science out of the way, let’s get shopping. We have collated 19 highly sought after Cica products for you to choose from, suitable for different skin needs.
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