Madecassoside is a popular plant-based skincare ingredient derived from the leaves of the Centella Asiatica plant. Centella has been used for over 2,000 years in India and beyond and is renowned for its healing and calming properties. It is also know as tiger grass, as legend has it tigers roll in the herb to heal their wounds.
The ingredients Madecassoside, Madacassic Acid, Asiatic Acid and Asiaticoside are all derived from the same Centella Asiatica plant. It is also know as Tiger Cica or just Cica.
Calming & Soothing
As the Tigers already know, the main effects of Madecassoside are to reduce inflammation and heal the skin. Centella asiatica contains active compounds like triterpenoids, asiaticoside, and madecassoside, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds help calm and soothe irritated skin, making it beneficial for individuals with sensitive or inflamed skin conditions, such as eczema or rosacea.
Collagen Stimulation
The compound stimulates the production of collagen which firms up the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage. The effect is to leave the skin looking and feeling smoother. This can also help the skin heal faster after wounds or irritation.
Amazing Anti-oxidants
Cica is rich in amino acids and has anti-oxidant properties, which reduce the activity of Matrix Metalloproteins (MMPs) that play a part in breaking down skin structure. This helps to calm and reduce inflammation.
It also contains antioxidants, including flavonoids, asiatic acid, and phytochemicals, which help protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Antioxidants play a crucial role in preventing premature aging and maintaining overall skin health.
Even Skin Tone
Centella Asiatica may help reduce hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The plant extracts have been shown to inhibit melanin production, which can be beneficial for individuals dealing with dark spots, sun damage, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Winning Combination
The combination of soothing, anti-inflammatory and healing properties make Madecassoside a popular ingredient in the treatment of acne. By speeding up skin cell production this ingredient aids wound healing and skin damage.
When looking for skincare products containing Centella Asiatica, you may find it listed as an ingredient in creams, serums, masks, and other formulations designed to address various skin concerns. Keep in mind that individual reactions to skincare ingredients may vary, so it's advisable to patch-test new products and consult with a dermatologist if you have specific skin conditions or concerns.
Where to Find It - Refresh Recommends:
For Damaged Skin: To strengthen and refresh your skin overnight try the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask. This is specially designed to be kind to sensitive skin, healing and calming your skin and ensuring you wake up feeling refreshed.
For Irritated Skin: The gel consistency of this concentrated formula means the active ingredient can get to work quicker and keep working for longer. Use the A'Pieu Madecassoside Cica Gel for targeting specific problem areas of skin.
For Damaged & Irritated Skin: This gentle Recovery Cream from Purito has been specially formulated to strengthen, reset and repair damaged sensitive skin. Containing 50% Centella Asiatica which acts to sooth and calm irritated skin, before strengthening the skin barrier so that it can recover.
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Further Information
- Products containing Madecassoside at Refresh Skincare
- Take a look at Michelle's excellent science based breakdown of Madecassoside at Lab Muffin
- Byrdie have a guide on the compound, it's uses and some great production to find it in.
- Finally there's a Madecassoside 101 at Beauty Tap that looks into the subtle differences between Madecassoside and Centella as stand alone ingredients.
