Centella asiatica is a plant used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Depending on the galenic form and dosage, it is recommended to soothe various ailments, from anxiety to targeted skin and hair problems.
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All You Need to Know About Centella Asiatica.
Summary
- What Is Centella Asiatica?
- Cosmetic Benefits of Centella Asiatica for Skin and Hair
- Precautions for the Use of Centella Asiatica
- In Which Products Can I Find Centella Asiatica?
- Sources
Published January 24, 2022,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
5 min read
What Is Centella Asiatica?
Native to Asia, Centella asiatica is a creeping, semiaquatic herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. It grows mainly in swampy areas of tropical or subtropical countries. Apart from Asia and Oceania, its culture is now widespread in some African countries, such as Madagascar and South Africa.
Centella asiatica is also known as Gotu Kola and Asian Hydrocotyle. According to legend, tigers used to roll in Centella asiatica to heal their wounds, hence its nickname “tiger grass”. In some Asian countries (China, India, Indonesia), the medicinal properties of the Centella plant have been recognized for over 2000 years. The populations used it in poultices to heal wounds and, more particularly, the cutaneous manifestations of leprosy.
Cosmetic Benefits of Centella Asiatica for Skin and Hair.
In the field of skin and hair care, Centella asiatica extract can be introduced into formulas in the form of powder or vegetable oil. This plant is known for its richness in active molecules such as saponosides (madecassoside, asiaticoside) and triterpenes (Asiatic acid, madecassic acid). These substances give it the following properties.
Regenerating: Centella stimulates the synthesis of collagen, an essential protein for the firmness of the skin whose content decreases with age.
Antioxidant: Thanks to the phenolic compounds present in the leaves, roots and petioles, Centella asiatica significantly limits the production of oxygenated chemical species such as free radicals. As a reminder, these unstable and highly reactive molecules are generated by various factors such as the sun, pollution, tobacco… They damage a wide range of healthy molecules in the body (DNA, RNA, proteins…), accelerating its aging.
Repairing: Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of Centella on the attenuation of stretch marks as well as scars and cutaneous marks.
It stimulates the blood microcirculation. Indeed, the Centella asiatica is also recognized to tone up the wall of the blood vessels and thus to avoid the appearance of varicose veins.
It strengthens the hair fiber in depth for stronger and healthier hair.
Precautions for the Use of Centella Asiatica.
There are no contraindications to the cosmetic use of Centella asiatica. Whether this ingredient is in the form of powder or vegetable oil, pregnant women and young children can use it.
In Which Products Can I Find Centella Asiatica?
It is possible to find Centella asiatica in certain skincare products intended for dull skin or to prevent skin aging, such as serums and creams. It is also used in healing and repairing treatments to reduce the appearance of skin marks and stretch marks. It is also found in some shampoos and hair lotions.
Typology's anti-marks serum is enriched with brightening and repairing actives, such as P.H.A. gluconolactone and Centella asiatica extract. To fade acne scars, apply a drop locally on the affected areas, at night only.
Sources :
BOREL J. P. & al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in venous and dermis fibroblast cultures by titrated extract from Centella asiatica. Connective Tissue Research (1990).
BELCARO G. & al. The microcirculatory activity of Centella asiatica in venous insufficiency: a double-blinded study. Minerva Cardioangiologica (1994).
ZAKARIA Z. A. & al. In vitro and in vivo wound healing studies of methanolic fraction of Centella asiatica extract South African Journal of Botany (2017).
BYLKA W. & al., Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. (2013).
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