Centella asiatica, also known as a gotu kola, is a herbaceous, frost-tender perennial plant that is native to the wetlands in Asia. Extracts from this plant have traditionally been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. In recent years, the use of Centella asiatica extract has made its way over to Western medicine as an oral supplement and as an ingredient in skin care products.

When used as a topical ingredient, Centella asiatica extract enhances moisturization, calms inflammation, and stimulates collagen synthesis. These benefits are due to the extract’s rich source of natural bioactive substances, including triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, amino acids, and sugars. The most important compounds in Centella asiatica extract are asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid. A large number of scientific reports involving in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that these compounds can cause a significant increase in the percentage of collagen in skin, as well as significantly improve the tensile strength of newly formed skin. Collagen is what gives our skin strength, durability, and firmness. Thus, by increasing collagen production, Centella asiatica extract can help restore a firm, youthful complexion.