Centella asiatica - What is it and why is it good for the skin?

By Emma Stenman, Licensed skin therapist  

Centella is an ingredient that has quickly risen to become one of the most popular ingredients in both K-Beauty and Western skincare in recent years. But what exactly does centella do? And why do we love it so much? 

What is centella? 

Centella is a perennial plant that has long been used in traditional Eastern and Ayurvedic medicine for its healing properties. Centella Asiatica is also known as tiger grass, cica or gotu kola (the name commonly used in supplements, teas and cooking). The name “tiger grass” comes from the belief that injured Bengal tigers roll in the leaves to help heal their wounds. 

Which skin types is centella suitable for? 

Centella works well for almost all skin types, but it is especially appreciated by those with sensitive skin, easily irritated skin, or skin that is acne- or rosacea-prone. If you have sensitive skin that easily becomes red, centella is a true must-have. It is known for calming inflammation, reducing redness and strengthening the skin barrier. 

Thanks to its rich content of antioxidants, amino acids and nourishing plant compounds, Centella is ideal for skin that is irritated, inflamed or reactive. It has also shown promising effects in reducing swelling, softening raised scars and supporting the skin in cases of keloids. 

Centella is not only beneficial for sensitive skin - it is also effective for those with acne, dry skin, early signs of aging or skin that needs extra hydration and recovery. 

In addition, centella stimulates both collagen production and hyaluronic acid synthesis in the skin, contributing to a fuller, more elastic and hydrated complexion. This makes the ingredient just as valuable for mature skin as it is for anyone looking to strengthen the skin’s natural moisture levels. 

How do you use centella? 

You can use centella both morning and evening, as it does not conflict with other ingredients in your routine. Its anti-inflammatory and healing properties make centella an excellent ally when treating acne- or eczema-prone areas, or after a breakout to speed up recovery and help prevent scarring. 

How do I choose the right skincare with centella? 

As always, start with your skin’s specific needs and read the product description to understand its purpose before purchasing. Among Common Clouds products, you’ll find centella in the following formulas. 

Cleansing that strengthens the skin barrier 

Our Cloud Wash is a cleansing gel that effectively dissolves makeup, dirt, sunscreen and excess oil while caring for the skin barrier. Here, centella works alongside ingredients such as niacinamide, hydrating glycerin and ceramides. 

Exfoliation for sensitive and acne-prone skin 

Cloud Water is an effective yet very gentle BHA toner with 2% salicylic acid to dissolve clogged pores and help prevent breakouts. Cloud Water contains an ultra-soothing blend of redness-reducing ingredients such as centella, green tea, licorice and hyaluronic acid. The perfect toner for skin that is both acne-prone and sensitive - and easily becomes red. 

Pimple patches that calm and speed up healing 

Cloud Patch and Moon Patch are our bestselling pimple patches. In addition to the superstar ingredient hydrocolloid, which draws excess fluid from the blemish and helps it heal faster, our patches also contain three bioactive extracts from centella that calm the skin and reduce redness. We like to say you can almost hear your skin sigh with relief when the patch is applied. 

Serum that reduces redness and evens out skin tone 

Cloud Milk is our soothing SOS serum that effectively helps reduce the appearance of redness, pimples, hyperpigmentation, and marks left after breakouts. In addition to 10% azelaic acid, which has a microbiome-balancing effect, Cloud Milk also contains active levels of centella and hyaluronic acid that help bind moisture within the skin barrier. 

Moisturizers that deeply hydrate and strengthen the skin 

Cloud Jelly is a lightweight moisturizer with centella developed for acne-prone and sensitive skin. It helps calm redness, reduce irritation and support the skin’s natural healing process. In the formula, centella is combined with hydrating ingredients that balance the skin and strengthen the skin barrier, leaving the skin calmer, clearer and more hydrated over time.

Cloud Barrier is the moisturizer for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin who need to strengthen the skin barrier and provide long-lasting hydration. It helps calm irritation, reduce redness and make the skin more resilient over time. In Cloud Barrier, barrier-strengthening ingredients are combined with hydrating compounds that help the skin feel softer, stronger and more balanced - every day.

Moon Balm is the moisturizer our sensitive skin is obsessed with! It’s perfect for those with sensitive skin that easily becomes red but still want an effective product that both strengthens the skin barrier and improves skin tone and texture over time. In Moon Balm, centella is combined with barrier-strengthening ceramides, purslane (another super herb!) and a molecule that almost magically combines retinol with hyaluronic acid.