The ingredient, explained

Centella Asiatica Extract

A controlled forearm study tested Centella asiatica extract formulations.

EmollientAntioxidantAnti-inflammatory

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

An extract of the Centella asiatica plant.

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Emollient: Helps soften and smooth the skin surface.
Antioxidant: Limits oxidation, including deterioration of formulation ingredients. This label alone does not show a clinical antioxidant effect in skin.
Anti-inflammatory: Research category concerning reduced inflammation. A discovery tag does not establish that an ingredient treats inflammation at the amount used in a product.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗ · National Cancer Institute: Anti-inflammatory definition ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human topical research

The tested preparations improved hydration and water-loss measurements.

What this does not tell us

The small healthy-volunteer study used a specific extract and vehicle; findings do not establish disease treatment or effects of other preparations.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 27168678 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Read exact local candidate abstracts first; select identity-relevant papers; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.