What is cica in skincare?

'Cica' is short for Centella asiatica, a plant extract used to calm redness, soothe irritation and support the skin barrier.

Is centella good for acne?

Yes — it calms the redness that comes with breakouts and supports recovery, making it a good partner to active treatments like BHA.

Centella Asiatica (Cica)

The short answer

Centella asiatica — 'cica' — is K-beauty's go-to calming ingredient, prized for soothing redness and reinforcing the skin barrier. It's a staple for sensitive and irritated skin. Here are the best centella products by international reviews.

How we rank: ordered by verified international review counts from Olive Young Global, read against each product's ingredient list. Percentages are what reviewers picked — we can tell you what they liked, not that it will suit you. Updated 2026-09-27.

What centella does

Calms redness & irritation — Madecassoside and asiaticoside soothe reactive skin.
Supports the barrier — Helps repair and strengthen compromised skin.
Gentle for daily use — Well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.

Best K-beauty with centella (cica)

Judged on the ingredient list. Review numbers are context, not a verdict — they say what buyers liked, which is not the same as what will suit you.

1
SKIN1004
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule 100ml
스킨1004 마다가스카르 센텔라 톤 브라이트닝 캡슐 앰플 100ml
★4.8$22/ ₩27,000
Centella high enough in the list to count · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · rated by buyers above 94% of toners
A Niacinamide & Centella pick worth knowing — fragrance-free and fuss-free.
NiacinamideCentellaFragrance-free
2
SKIN1004
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil 200mL
스킨1004 마다가스카르 센텔라 라이트 클렌징오일 200ml
★4.7$22/ ₩21,250
Centella high enough in the list to count · contains essential oils · 2,382 international reviews
A centella-infused cleansing oil that melts off makeup and sunscreen without leaving my combo skin feeling stripped.
Centella
3
numbuzin
[Duo Set] numbuzin No. 1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ 50mL + 50mL Duo Set
넘버즈인 1번 청초 진정맑은 물막선크림 50ml
★4.8$27/ ₩17,900
Centella high enough in the list to count · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · rated by buyers above 99% of sunscreens
SPF50+ PA++++ sun essence with niacinamide and centella — the cooling, watery sunscreen I grab when I want zero white cast.
NiacinamideCentellaFragrance-free
4
LINDSAY
Lindsay Modeling Mask Cup Pack 28g
린제이 진정약초 모델링 팩 (컵팩) 28g
★4.7$4.5/ ₩2,500
Centella high enough in the list to count · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · 2,113 international reviews
A centella modeling mask I mix up for an at-home spa moment — mostly about soothing, with a side of hydration.
CentellaFragrance-free
5
SKIN1004
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad
스킨1004 마다가스카르 센텔라 퀵카밍 패드
★4.8$22/ ₩22,950
Centella high enough in the list to count · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · rated by buyers above 94% of masks
Centella-soaked calming pads I swipe on the moment my skin feels irritated or overheated — quick relief in one step.
CentellaFragrance-free
6
SKIN1004
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam 125mL
스킨1004 마다가스카르 센텔라 앰플 폼 125ml
★4.8$15/ ₩14,450
Centella high enough in the list to count · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · rated by buyers above 97% of cleansers
Centella takes the sting out of this cleansing foam, which is exactly why it's my post-makeup go-to for combo skin like mine.
CentellaFragrance-free
7
Purito Seoul
Purito Seoul Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented 60ml
퓨리토서울 원더 릴리프 센텔라 세럼 언센티드 60ml
★4.8$23/ ₩22,400
Centella high enough in the list to count · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · rated by buyers above 92% of toners
Unscented and packed with centella, this serum is what I use to calm my skin down before anything else.
NiacinamidePeptideCentellaFragrance-free
8
SKIN1004
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum 50mL
스킨1004 마다가스카르 센텔라 히알루-시카 워터핏 선세럼 50ml
★4.8$22/ ₩17,300
Niacinamide · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · rated by buyers above 98% of sunscreens
Sunscreen finally feels like skincare with this water-fit serum — niacinamide, centella, and not a trace of chalkiness.
NiacinamideFragrance-free
9
COSNORI
COSNORI Long Active Eyelash Serum 9g
코스노리 아이래쉬 세럼 속눈썹영양제 9g (클리어/블랙
★4.6$22.43/ ₩14,400
Centella high enough in the list to count · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · 1,228 international reviews
Peptides and centella in a tiny 9g tube — this is the lash serum I've stuck with for the long haul.
PeptideCentellaFragrance-free
10
VT
VT Reedle Shot 300 Essence 30mL(+Reedle Shot 300 Pouch 1ml * 3ea)
VT 리들샷 300 에센스 30ml
★4.8$25/ ₩18,500
Centella high enough in the list to count · contains a pore-clogging ingredient · rated by buyers above 92% of toners
A niacinamide-centella essence that leans into brightening and bounce more than pure comfort — my pick when I want results, not just calm.
NiacinamideCentellaFragrance-free
11
Unniepick
VT
VT Reedle Shot 100 Essence 50mL
VT 리들샷100 에센스 50ml
★4.7$44/ ₩22,000
Centella high enough in the list to count · contains a pore-clogging ingredient · 1,085 international reviews
Same niacinamide-centella essence I love, in the bigger 50ml size for when I'm not ready to run out.
NiacinamideCentellaFragrance-free
12
mixsoon
mixsoon Bean Essence 50mL (+Centella Asiatica Essence 20mL)
믹순 콩 에센스 50ml
★4.7$35/ ₩29,700
Centella high enough in the list to count · no fragrance, alcohol, or essential oils · 1,047 international reviews
A fermented soy essence I reach for on quiet, no-frills skincare days — just hydration and calm, nothing extra.
CentellaFragrance-free

This is my shortlist. Browse all centella (cica) products → and filter by brand, actives, and skin-friendly flags yourself.

Frequently asked questions

What is cica in skincare?: 'Cica' is short for Centella asiatica, a plant extract used to calm redness, soothe irritation and support the skin barrier.
Is centella good for acne?: Yes — it calms the redness that comes with breakouts and supports recovery, making it a good partner to active treatments like BHA.