Madecassoside
A purified active from Centella asiatica (cica), widely used in soothing and barrier-support serums for the appearance of calmer, more comfortable-looking skin. It is one of several active compounds isolated from the same plant, alongside asiaticoside and madecassic acid, and is generally the one formulators reach for when they want a gentle, broadly tolerated soothing agent. It has become a staple of the Korean skincare "cica" category, often paired with panthenol or hyaluronic acid in barrier-focused routines.
Studied for
- ·The appearance of a calmer, less-reddened complexion
- ·Supporting the look of a comfortable barrier
- ·The appearance of a soothed surface after visible irritation
- ·The look of resilience in sensitized or reactive-prone skin
How it’s thought to work
A centella-derived compound studied for association with the appearance of soothed, more resilient-looking skin. It is thought to support the skin’s own barrier and calming response after visible stress such as redness, dryness or gentle irritation from other actives. That profile is why it turns up so often in post-procedure and sensitive-skin formulas rather than in stronger, more active-forward serums.
Over 6 months, a vitamin C and madecassoside cream was linked with smoother looking, firmer, more hydrated looking sun aged skin.
Clinical, biometric and structural evaluation of the long-term effects of a topical treatment with ascorbic acid and madecassoside in photoaged human skin. Experimental Dermatology, 2008.
View on PubMed (PMID 18503551) ↗Questions
- What is the difference between madecassoside and centella asiatica extract?
- Madecassoside is one purified active compound found in centella asiatica (cica); whole-plant extracts contain it alongside related compounds like asiaticoside, so a formula naming madecassoside specifically is calling out a more concentrated, isolated version.
- Is madecassoside good for sensitive or reactive skin?
- Yes, it is one of the more commonly recommended soothing actives for reactive-looking or easily irritated skin, and it is gentle enough to pair with most other actives.
- Can madecassoside be used with retinol or acids?
- Yes, it is often used specifically to help offset the look of irritation that stronger actives like retinol or exfoliating acids can bring on.