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Cica is the Korean beauty nickname for centella asiatica, a leafy plant used in skincare for its soothing, comforting reputation. In Korean routines it usually shows up in toners, creams, balms and masks aimed at skin that feels stressed or sensitive. It is gentle in spirit, and easy to add to a routine.
If you have browsed Korean skincare for more than five minutes, you have seen the word "cica". It sits on the front of tubes, jars and sheet masks, often next to a little green leaf. Here is what it actually means, and how to use it.
What is cica?
"Cica" is the beauty-industry nickname for Centella Asiatica, also called gotu kola or tiger grass. Kew's Plants of the World Online lists the species as a perennial native to the tropical and subtropical Old World, from the Caucasus east to eastern Australia and the western Pacific. A 2021 review in Applied Sciences describes it as a popular folk medicine and links its reported effects to four pentacyclic triterpenes: asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid, which is why you will often see madecassoside or "Centella Asiatica extract" on a label. Korean brands have built whole lines around it; Korea JoongAng Daily named Dr. Jart+'s Cicapair collection as one of that brand's best-known in 2019.
Brands generally position cica as a calming, soothing ingredient for skin that feels reactive or tired. It is not a medicine, and results depend on the person and the full formula. The same review notes that madecassoside has been studied in a relatively small number of scientific reports, so read product claims as brand positioning.
How do Koreans use cica products?
Cica is a team player. It rarely works alone, and most formulas pair it with hydrating or barrier-focused ingredients such as niacinamide, panthenol, ceramides or hyaluronic acid. Common places to find it:
- Creams and gel creams for daily moisture
- Balms for dry or stressed patches
- Cleansers that pair it with a gentle active
- Sheet masks and pads for a quick calming step
Cica products to look at
These are Korean cica products currently available at Daebak. Product details come from each product page; they are shipped by the brand through our Shop.
| Product | Type | What the brand says |
|---|---|---|
| celimax The Real Cica Soothing Cream | Gel cream | A lightweight, oil-free gel cream with Centella Asiatica extract, niacinamide, betaine, adenosine and Ceramide NP, designed to moisturize and soothe. |
| innisfree Bija Cica Balm EX | Gel-balm | A lightweight gel-balm with bija seed oil, panthenol and Centella Asiatica 4X for daily care of sensitive or stressed skin. |
| celimax JI WOO GAE Cica BHA Acne Foam Cleansing | Foam cleanser | A foaming cleanser with salicylic acid and centella asiatica extract for blemish-prone skin. |
| innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule | Serum | A lightweight, hydrating serum with retinol, cica, niacinamide and adenosine. |
celimax The Real Cica Soothing Cream. See details.
How to add cica to your routine
- Start with one product. A cream or balm is the easiest entry point.
- Patch test first. Even gentle-sounding formulas can bother some skin, so test a small area before using it on your face.
- Keep the rest simple. Cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are enough while you see how your skin responds.
- Do not stack many new actives at once. Retinol and exfoliating acids, for example, are better introduced one at a time.
If you would rather sample several Korean products before committing, the Daebak K-Beauty Box is a seasonal, curated box of Korean skincare and makeup from Seoul. Contents change each season, so specific products are not guaranteed.
FAQ
Is cica the same as centella asiatica?
Yes. Cica is the popular nickname for centella asiatica in beauty. You may also see it called gotu kola, tiger grass or by the compound names madecassoside and asiaticoside.
Is cica only for sensitive skin?
No. It is most associated with soothing and comforting products, but cica creams and cleansers are made for many skin types. Check the full formula and your own skin's reaction.
Can I use cica with retinol or niacinamide?
Many Korean formulas combine them, such as the innisfree ampoule above. If you are layering separate products, introduce one at a time and use sunscreen in the morning.
Does cica work overnight?
Cica products are meant for regular use. How skin feels varies from person to person, and a skincare product is not a treatment for any condition.
Daebak is a Seoul-based Korean culture and product company. Read more in our Korean beauty box guide.
Sources
- Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)
- Actions and Therapeutic Potential of Madecassoside and Other Major Constituents of Centella asiatica: A Review (Applied Sciences, September 2021, via DOAJ)
- Estee Lauder to buy Dr. Jart+ maker Have & Be (Korea JoongAng Daily, November 2019)
