Centella Asiatica Extract

Native primarily to Asia, Centella asiatica is a perennial herb that appears on ingredient labels under a few different names, including asiatic acid, hydrocotyl, and gotu kola. Its skin benefits come largely from active compounds like madecassoside, which functions as an antioxidant, and the plant as a whole is both rich in amino acids and strongly antioxidant in its own right.

It's also an effective hydrator, particularly for soothing irritated or compromised skin. At a 5% concentration, research shows it can meaningfully raise skin's moisture levels, but even smaller amounts, between 0.2% and 0.5%, still help maintain hydration and support the barrier by encouraging production of ceramide NS, one of the key substances that holds the skin's surface together and keeps it smooth.