Centella Asiatica: K-beauty's signature calming active

What is it?

An ancient plant with four key actives

Centella Asiatica (Centella asiatica) is a small aquatic plant native to Madagascar, India and Southeast Asia. It's been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to speed up healing. In Korean skincare it's extracted to concentrate its four key actives — known as TECA:

• Asiaticoside — stimulates collagen production and cell repair.
• Madecassoside — the most powerful anti-inflammatory, calms redness and itching.
• Asiatic acid — reinforces the extracellular matrix and firmness.
• Madecassic acid — antioxidant, protects against pollution.

For which skin?

Yes to centella, especially if your skin…

• Gets red with cold, heat or new products.
• Is acne-prone or has post-acne marks.
• Is dehydrated or has a barrier damaged by retinol, acids or exfoliants.
• Has just been through a peel, laser or dermatological treatment.
• Has rosacea or dermatitis (always with your dermatologist's approval).
• Is combination-oily but reactive: centella calms without clogging.