Ingredient Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Ingredient Encyclopedia

Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Centella Water – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Centella Water (Centella Asiatica Water) serves as the "breathable base layer" of the Cica family, specifically optimized for routines that prioritize weightless hydration feel and cooling comfort. Unlike concentrated extracts or lipid-heavy oils, Centella water is typically produced through distillation or aqueous infusion, capturing the plant's volatile and water-soluble micro-nutrients in a highly tolerable format. It functions as a stability primer, dampening the "post-cleansing tight" sensation and preparing the skin to receive active treatments without the immediate "shock factor" that can lead to irritation. This makes it an essential tool for those in hot, humid climates or individuals with oily/combination skin who find traditional barrier creams too suffocating. While subtle in its immediate visual impact, Centella water acts as a consistency booster; by improving the sensory experience of a routine, it helps users adhere to their long-term regimen of moisturizer and SPF, which are the true drivers of visible change over 6 to 12 weeks.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Centella Asiatica Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Centella Asiatica Extract (often marketed as Cica) is the "functional cornerstone" of the Centella family, specifically concentrated to provide targeted barrier recovery and active-ingredient buffering. While Centella water offers light hydration, the extract is rich in potent triterpenoids—most notably asiaticoside and madecassoside—which act as biological signal modulators to dampen the skin's inflammatory response. It serves as a routine stabilizer, bridge-building between aggressive treatments (like high-strength retinoids or chemical peels) and the skin's need for recovery. By reinforcing the lipid bilayer and reducing perceived stinging, it allows for a more aggressive treatment schedule without the typical "burnout" or barrier collapse. Over a period of 2 to 6 weeks, it transforms a reactive, unpredictable complexion into one that is grounded and resilient, providing the necessary "quiet" for long-term skin health to flourish.