What does Cica do for the skin?

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Cica or the herb centella asiatica is an ingredient in products suitable for people with sensitive skin. That's right, Cica's benefits are both gentle and moisturizing as well as helping to heal external environmental influences that can affect the health and beauty of the skin.

1. What is Cica? What effect does Cica have on the skin?

What is Cica? Cica (Centella Asiatica) is extracted from gotu kola, an herb found in tropical, swampy areas throughout parts of Asia. Extracts of this herb have been used in Chinese natural medicine for thousands of years for their skin-healing properties. Besides the use of Cica known for its skin-healing, soothing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, cica is also great for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and scars or has extremely moisturizing properties. for dry skin types.
On the other hand, with today's busy and stressful lifestyle, the skin is often easily imbalanced due to lack of sleep and environmental factors. At this time, the use of Cica also has the ability to strengthen the skin barrier and improve the overall appearance, giving users a softer, smoother skin. As a result, the benefits of cica have made the presence of this herb so ubiquitous in skin care brands, making it a frequently found ingredient in various products. on the market, from moisturizers and even makeup cosmetics.

2. The benefits of cica or Centella Asiatica for skin

2.1 Anti-aging
Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals found in pollution and UV rays of the sun. These free radicals cause damage to the skin barrier, leading to uneven skin tone and other concerns related to skin aging.
Once the skin starts to age, the skin loses its elasticity and sags, wrinkles appear. At this time, when used, Cica can improve blood circulation and enhance collagen fiber synthesis, from which the face will be firmer, reduce wrinkles, so it looks younger.

2.2 Soothes the skin

Centella Asiatica contains ingredients that help soothe and heal the skin extremely effectively. Sensitive and extremely dry skin types, with frequent redness, inflammation and sometimes itching will see visible results in a more comfortable skin with a marked reduction in signs of irritation.

2.3 Moisturizing the skin

Cica is not only packed with antioxidants but is also enriched with amino acids, fatty acids and beta carotene. All these ingredients provide a large amount of nutrients to the skin, keep the skin hydrated and restore the natural oils and certain water components in the skin barrier.

2.4 Quickly heal skin lesions

Cica can help cure many skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, varicose veins and stretch marks. This ability is due to Centella containing “Madecassoside”, a compound that enhances the antioxidant activity of the skin, allowing any wound or scar to heal by increasing blood circulation and strengthening the protective barrier. skin.
Thus, for people with acne-prone skin, when using cica, acne spots can be treated and cleared without leaving any traces or pitted scars.

3. The ability of cica to combine with other skin care ingredients

While Centella Asiatica alone has worked wonders on the skin, when combined with several other ingredients and used regularly, can enhance the effects on the skin.

3.1 Centella Asiatica and Aloe Vera

This mixture can reduce any inflammation and control bacteria from the skin. Therefore, by combining with aloe, cica can soothe and heal any acne faster than before making the skin relax and absorb nutrients better.

3.2 Centella Asiatica and Vitamin C

As mentioned before, Centella Asiatica helps to strongly promote collagen production and when combined with vitamin C significantly improves skin suppleness, firmness and hydration and improves the appearance of wrinkles after only 6 weeks of use.

3.3 Centella Asiatica and Glycolic Acid

By combining Centella and glycolic acid AHA together, uneven skin texture is quickly improved, replaced by a youthful, soft skin. In addition, Glycolic also supports collagen production in the skin and thus helps strengthen Centella.

4. How to use Cica

Skin Care. Given the popularity of Cica, many skin care product options, such as serums, moisturizers, and lotions, include this ingredient.
Topical. Cica can be applied topically on burns, scars, inflammation, and stretch marks.
Supplements – In addition to topical applications on the skin, cica is also available in supplements that are taken orally to help improve the circulatory system in the body.
Food – The popularity of gotu kola has been present in many culinary cultures, participating in cooling drinks, salads and rice dishes in daily meals.

5. What are the side effects of cica?

What effect does Cica have for the skin? Besides the benefits mentioned above, cica can also have some potential side effects such as nausea, bloating, increased sensitivity to sunlight, drowsiness, itching... If you experience any side effects, it is best to stop consuming and using any products containing Centella Asiatica.
Also, there are some more serious side effects and if they occur, get medical help right away: yellowing eyes, low-grade fever, stomach pain, clay-colored stools.
So, if you have any questions or concerns about the use of cica, contact your dermatologist for further advice, to avoid unwanted reactions.
In short, the use of Cica or gotu kola is really suitable for everyone, bringing younger-looking skin, especially people with sensitive skin. Because of their valuable anti-inflammatory properties, skin care products containing cica can be particularly useful to use after certain invasive skin treatments, such as after chemical peels, or Suitable to be included in the daily skin care routine.

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Reference sources: glowsly.com, byrdie.com