Everything You Need to Know About Centella Asiatica

You don’t need to raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by acne, rosacea, eczema, product formulas, or aggressive environmental conditions — we know all but a lucky few of you have. The good news is that there’s a solution you might not have tried yet for your redness and irritation, and it doesn’t involve a trust fall.

Centella asiatica, also known as Tiger Grass, is by no means a new ingredient — it’s an Asian plant that’s been used in skin care for centuries, ever since, as legend holds, Laotian villagers discovered tigers rolling in it to heal their battle wounds — but it’s popping up everywhere lately. And for good reason: The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant-rich herb will help just about every skin concern.

According to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, “Centella asiatica is beneficial in treating dry, irritated, and inflamed skin as well as providing anti-aging benefits. Whether you are looking for general hydration or need to help calm inflammation, it can be used broadly regardless of your skin type. I commonly recommend it to my patients with eczema.” And it’s an ingredient you can use year-round, he says, because it’ll heal wind- and- cold-battered skin in the winter, and it won’t make you more sensitive to the sun in the summer. Plus, if centella is in the product, it’s a safe bet that plenty of other botanicals and collagen stimulators are, too; it pairs especially well with green tea, ceramides, vitamins A and C, and omega-3 fatty acids.

It’s such a powerful ingredient that we included it in our Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops to help soothe skin alongside the formula’s hydrating and brightening properties. Hue Drops gives skin a sheer warm tint to instantly even the appearance of skin tone, and centella asiatica treats skin over time to calm and reduce the appearance of redness for a two-factor approach.