What it does
Centella asiatica extract, and its isolated compounds such as madecassoside and asiaticoside, have a better research record than most botanicals — largely around wound healing, inflammation and barrier support.
It has become the signature ingredient of the "skin recovery" category, and it earns that position: it is a sensible thing to reach for when skin is red and reactive rather than when it needs pushing.
As with any plant extract, concentration and extract quality vary enormously between products, and a leaf on the packaging tells you nothing.
In a routine
Layers well with
- Panthenol
- Ceramides
- Niacinamide
