At Common Clouds HQ, we're OBSESSED with centella, and include it in all our products.
By Emma Stenman, Authorised Skin Therapist
Centella Asiatica is the ingredient on everyone's lips – and skin! Read on to find out what centella does and why you should include centella in your routine today!
WHAT IS CENTELLA ASIATICA?
Centella is a perennial plant that has long been used in traditional Eastern and Ayurvedic medicine for its wound-healing and soothing properties. Centella is also called tiger grass, cica, or gotu kola (the name often used in supplements, teas and cooking). Centella gets its name 'tiger grass' from the fact that injured Bengal tigers roll in its leaves to heal wounds.
In our bundle The Everything Routine, all products contain Centella, perfect for you who want a whole routine that calms acne, reduces redness, rosacea and sensitive skin.
For whom is centella asiatica suitable?
WHAT SKIN TYPES SHOULD USE CENTELLA?
ALL skin types love centella! But especially skin that is sensitive, easily irritated and perhaps has acne or rosacea, and need some SOS soothing.
If you have sensitive skin that easily flush, Centella Asiatica is a must-have we would say (we know this from experience – we're a blushing crowd ☺️ ).
As this plant contains antioxidants, amino acids and other important nutrients, it is ideal for sensitive, irritated and inflamed skin, including redness and rosacea. It has also shown good results in reducing swelling on raised scars and keloids.
Is your skin not the sensitive type? Centella is also used to address signs of aging and dryness. A real multi-ingredient!
Centella also has an effect on the so-called "youth protein" collagen in the skin, which is particularly welcome as we get older and our natural collagen decreases.
Centella also improves the hyaluronic acid synthesis in the skin. Say what?! Well, it's the skin's own production of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is an amazing substance found naturally in the skin that binds important moisture in the skin.
HOW DO I INCLUDE CENTELLA IN MY SKINCARE ROUTINE?
You can use centella both in the morning and evening, and it won't clash with any other ingredients in your routine. The anti-inflammatory and healing effect makes centella a great friend to treat acne or eczema affected areas, or after a breakout to speed up recovery and prevent scarring.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRODUCT WITH CENTELLA?
As always, start with your own skin's needs and read the product's purpose on the packaging before you buy.
You'll find centella in the following products:
CLEANSING GEL WITH CENTELLA
CLOUD WASH Everyday Gel Cleanser - Our daily cleansing gel that effectively dissolves makeup, dirt, sunscreen and excess oil, while nourishing the barrier and protecting skin's hydration levels. Cloud Wash combines centella with other star ingredients such as niacinamide, moisturising glycerin, chamomille water and ceramides.
EXFOLIATING TONER WITH CENTELLA
CLOUD WATER Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner - Our effective but gentle BHA toner with 2% salicylic acid to dissolve trapped gunk in pores and prevent acne breakouts. Cloud Water contains an ultra-soothing cocktail of centella, green tea, licorice and hyaluronic acid. It's the perfect exfoliating toner for those with skin that is both acne-prone but also sensitive, and that blushes easily!
PIMPLE PATCHES WITH CENTELLA
CLOUD PATCH and MOON PATCH - Our best-selling pimple patches not only contain the super material hydrocolloid, which draws excess fluid out of the pimple and helps it heal faster. Our pimple patches also contain three bioactive extracts from centella that soothe the skin and reduce redness.
REDNESS-SOOTHING SERUM WITH CENTELLA
CLOUD MILK Soothing Redness-relief Serum - Our soothing SOS serum that very effectively helps to reduce the visibility of redness, pimples, hyperpigmentation and marks after acne breakouts. In addition to 10% azelaic acid, which has a microbiome-balancing effect, Cloud Milk contains calming centella and hyaluronic acid, which bind moisture in the barrier.
SOOTHING MOISTURIZER WITH CENTELLA
MOON BALM Deeply Hydrating Moisturiser - Our sensitive skins are obsessed with Moon Balm! This is the perfect moisturizer for those with sensitive, easily reddened skin who want an effective product that both strengthens the barrier and improves skin tone and texture over time. Moon Balm combines centella with barrier-strengthening ceramides, purslane (another super-herb!) and a molecule that magically combines retinol with hyaluronic acid.
Our kit THE EVERYTHING ROUTINE includes five of our bestsellng products with centella. Shop it HERE – and save 10% compared to shopping the products seperately.