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Centella Asiatica Extract
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (infused oil / botanical powder)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Centella asiatica — known as gotu kola, tiger grass, or “cica” — is a creeping herb used for millennia in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for wound healing. Modern dermatology confirms that its triterpene compounds (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids) stimulate collagen synthesis, calm inflammation, and support barrier repair [1, 2]. It is the active behind the “cica cream” category and one of the most versatile botanicals in the ORY® library: water-soluble extracts suit serums and shampoos, oil infusions suit soaps and balms, and standardized fractions suit cosmetics.
What is Centella Asiatica Extract made of?
Centella asiatica extract is prepared from the leaves and aerial parts by water, glycerin, ethanol, or oil extraction. Its activity comes from a group of pentacyclic triterpenes [3]:
Standardized extracts (e.g., TECA — titrated extract of Centella asiatica) guarantee a fixed triterpene content and are preferred where consistent performance is needed.
- Asiaticoside: The most abundant saponin; promotes fibroblast proliferation and type I collagen synthesis.
- Madecassoside: Strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity; reduces UV-induced damage.
- Asiatic acid and madecassic acid: Aglycones that support wound closure and reduce inflammatory cytokines.
- Supporting compounds: Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential fatty acids that add antioxidant value.
What skin type is best suited for Centella Asiatica Extract?
Centella is suitable for all seven ORY® skin types and is a signature ingredient for compromised or reactive skin:
- Sensitive: Reduces redness, stinging, and reactivity; the core “cica” use case.
- Acne-prone: Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial; speeds healing and reduces post-acne marks and scarring [2].
- Dry: Improves hydration and barrier lipid organization.
- Mature: Stimulates collagen, improving firmness and fine lines; protects against photoaging [1].
- Oily: Water-based extracts soothe without adding oil.
- Combination: Calms reactive areas while remaining lightweight.
- Normal: Daily antioxidant and barrier maintenance.
What hair type is best suited for Centella Asiatica Extract?
Centella’s scalp benefits mirror its skin benefits, and early laboratory work suggests it may also support the hair follicle:
- Sensitive scalp: Reduces scalp inflammation and redness.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial action supports flake control alongside tea tree or salicylic acid.
- Mature or thinning: In vitro, Centella extract increased VEGF expression in dermal papilla cells, a marker linked to follicle nourishment [4]; supportive, not a growth drug.
- Dry or damaged: Improves scalp hydration; oil infusions coat and condition the fiber.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Soothes and supports scalp recovery after chemical services.
- Oily scalp, straight, wavy, curly, coily: Safe for all; water extracts are weightless in shampoos and leave-ins.
What are the benefits of Centella Asiatica Extract?
Centella asiatica is among the best-documented botanicals in dermatology [1, 2, 3]:
- Wound healing: Asiaticoside increases collagen and fibronectin synthesis and accelerates re-epithelialization.
- Anti-inflammatory: Madecassoside reduces inflammatory mediators, calming redness and irritation.
- Collagen and anti-aging: Improves skin firmness and elasticity; reduces photoaging signs in clinical studies [1].
- Barrier repair: Improves hydration and reduces transepidermal water loss.
- Antioxidant: Neutralizes free radicals from UV and pollution.
- Scar and stretch-mark support: Historically used for hypertrophic scars and striae; clinical evidence is moderate.
- Scalp health: Soothes an inflamed scalp and may support follicle vascular signaling [4].
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Centella is available in several forms, which lets ORY® deploy it across all four lines:
Pros and cons of Centella Asiatica Extract
Pros
Cons
- Strong evidence base: Decades of wound-healing and dermatology research [1, 2, 3].
- Multi-form flexibility: Water, glycerin, oil, and standardized fractions cover every ORY® product type.
- Gentle: Rarely irritating; suitable for post-procedure and eczema-prone skin.
- Multifunctional: Soothing, healing, anti-aging, and antioxidant in one botanical.
- Natural positioning: Fits ORY®‘s botanical-infusion philosophy.
- Variable potency: Non-standardized extracts vary widely in triterpene content; standardized material costs more.
- Color and odor: Concentrated extracts can tint formulas green-brown and add a herbal scent.
- Heat and pH sensitivity: Saponins partly degrade in cold-process soap; benefits in bars are modest.
- Rare contact allergy: Documented but uncommon; patch test.
- Preservation: Water extracts need robust preservation to prevent microbial growth.
What is the best application of Centella Asiatica Extract?
Centella works best in leave-on products and as a supporting soother in rinse-off products:
- Serums and creams: Daily AM/PM; especially after retinol, acids, or sun exposure.
- Cica balm: Thicker, occlusive formulas for chapped, post-procedure, or eczema-prone areas.
- Toners and mists: Water extracts for quick calming during the day.
- Masks: Weekly soothing masks for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- Scalp serum: Leave-in for itchy, inflamed, or thinning scalps.
- Shampoo and conditioner: For sensitive and dandruff-prone scalps.
- Soap and cosmetics: Soothing bars for sensitive skin; redness-neutralizing makeup.
Peer-reviewed references
- Bylka W, Znajdek-Awiżeń P, Studzińska-Sroka E, Brzezińska M. Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii. 2013;30(1):46–49.
- Bylka W, Znajdek-Awiżeń P, Studzińska-Sroka E, Dańczak-Pazdrowska A, Brzezińska M. Centella asiatica in dermatology: an overview. Phytotherapy Research. 2014;28(8):1117–1124.
- Gohil KJ, Patel JA, Gajjar AK. Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: a potential herbal cure-all. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2010;72(5):546–556.
- Saansoomchai P, Limmongkon A, Surangkul D, Chewonarin T, Srikummool M. Enhanced VEGF expression in hair dermal papilla cells by Centella asiatica Linn. Chiang Mai University Journal of Natural Sciences. 2018;17(1):25–37.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about Centella asiatica extract as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, acne, rosacea, wounds, scars, stretch marks, dandruff, or hair loss. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Allergic reactions to Centella asiatica extract are uncommon but have been reported, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
