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. It’s not without reason, either: the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, antibacterial herb can help with just about any skin issue.
According to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, “Centella asiatica is beneficial in treating dry, irritated, and inflamed skin as well as providing anti-aging benefits. No matter what your skin type, you can use it to hydrate or calm down inflammation. 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 give skin a warm tint that instantly helps to even out skin tone. Centella asiatica also works to reduce redness and calm skin.