Gotu Kola: The Best Kept Skin Care Secret
Gotu kola, deemed as the antioxidant rich “herb of longevity” in Chinese medicine for centuries, stimulates collagen production and protects skin from environmental elements, including UV rays. Also known as Centella Asiatica, this anti-inflammatory agent combats acne without damaging the natural skin barrier.
What is Centella Asiatica or Cica?
Gotu kola (a.k.a. Centella Asiatica or Cica) is a member of the parsley family typically grown in tropical climates and native to Africa, Australia, Asia, and India. According to Gardening Know How, “Gotu kola has been used for many centuries as a treatment for respiratory ailments and a variety of other conditions, including fatigue, arthritis, memory, stomach problems, asthma, and fever.”
Does Cica Help Acne Scaring?
“Cica” comes from the Latin word “cicatrix,” which means scar. According to Beauty Bay, “Cica’s reparative powers come from its unique natural composition, a powerhouse of potent soothing compounds. Alongside skin-calming amino and fatty acids, it has several active compounds called terpenoids, including asiatic acts and madecassoside.” Circa is packed with antioxidants which, according to Allure, give skin an antimicrobial boost and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
My Experience with Gotu Kola
Gotu kola was recommended by my acupuncturist to heal my body from within. I’ve struggled with combating decades-old acne scars for years now and turned to a naturalist approach after spending far more than I’d care to admit on chemical peels, micro needling, and microdermabrasion, all to have limited relief. I’ve struggled with issues related to my gut and liver in the past, so it didn’t come as a surprise that these external treatments only provided a temporary solution. Beauty Bay notes, “Unlike some popular Western ingredients or techniques like microneedling, cica works without causing further damage in order to trigger the skin’s repair process.”
A little under a month ago, I started drinking Energy Adjustment Tea every morning which contains both organic gout kola and organic licorice root, both naturally combat acne scarring. While this helps heal my body internally, I was also advised to apply Gotu Kola externally as well in addition to weekly acupuncture appointments.
Five Month Update
It’s been five months since I first wrote this post. There have been several requests to share an update on my experience. While I haven’t seen life-changing results by any means, I have stayed consistent and seen small improvements. After writing this post, I was reintroduced to the Murad Invisiscar Resurfacing Treatment. Funny enough, this treatment includes purified centella asiatica in addition to BHA and vitamin C. I’ve been using this treatment nightly in addition to drinking the energy adjustment tea noted above. Again, while I haven’t seen life-changing results, I have recognized small visual improvements to my skin. I definitely think topical treatments that include cica are worth trying out for yourself!
Where To Find Circa
It is surprisingly much easier than I had anticipated to find products containing centella asiatica if you know what to look for. Popularized by the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair, centella asiatica is also known as cica and became a cult classic amongst beauty lovers. I purchased a Calming Serum from Soko Glam and will report back on my thoughts. If you’re ready to incorporate cica into your daily skincare routine, below are a few beauty favorites.
