From moisturizing to supporting skin elasticity, encouraging better barrier function, smoothing fine lines, brightening complexion, and more - we’re so excited to show you the Gotu Kola skin benefits!
All the Gotu Kola benefits for skin can be traced back to a group of compounds called triterpenes. There are four in particular that can be your skin’s saving grace:
- Asiaticoside
- Madecassoside
- Asiatic Acid
- Madecassic Acid
Learn more about what these little compounds do, and find out how you can harness the benefits of Gotu Kola for skin with our anti-wrinkle productss!
Key Takeaways
- Gotu Kola has been an Ayurvedic remedy forever, and the Western world has caught up.
- The triterpenes in Gotu Kola can stimulate Type I and Type III Collagen production in skin cells.1
- Clinical studies show Gotu Kola can improve wound healing, increase firmness, and boost skin hydration.2,3
- Some people swear by Gotu Kola’s brightening and wrinkle-smoothing properties as well.
- Topical application is a more targeted way to tap into the Gotu Kola benefits for skin than oral supplements.
- Naturopathica makes Gotu Kola skincare by combining ancient botanical wisdom with modern skincare science to bring out the best in your skin.
Overview of Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is also referred to as Centella Asiatica or Cica in certain cultures. That’s important to note, as a lot of the studies we’ll reference throughout this review of the benefits of Gotu Kola for skin will refer to it by one of those other names.
This low-growing herb hails from the Southeast Asian wetlands, where it has been a staple in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Mostly for supporting wound healing and improving cognitive function.
Today, we have a lot more evidence showing what the people of Asia always knew - Gotu Kola has a lot of potential in skincare. This goes back to its triterpene content. Asiaticoside and Madecassoside are saponins (natural cleaning agents); Asiatic Acid and Madecassic Acid are their aglycone (flavonoids with smoothing benefits) counterparts.
5 Gotu Kola Benefits for Skin
Those triterpenes hold a ton of potential for the skin. The Gotu Kola skin benefits range from wound healing to boosting collagen synthesis, improving the appearance of scars, and encouraging better barrier function.3
There is so much that Gotu Kola can do for your skin that just about everyone could benefit from adding it to their routine. Let’s start with one of the simplest benefits of Gotu Kola for skin.
Moisturizing Properties
Lots of ingredients moisturize the skin. But Gotu Kola is different in that it can boost hydration while preventing moisture from escaping. It’s unlike your average surface-level moisturizer.
One clinical study showed that 5% Centella Asiatica increased hydration by 25% while reducing transepidermal water loss by 18%.4 This benefit is amplified when a formula features other supporting ingredients, such as Glycerin.
Supporting Skin Elasticity
Perhaps the most evidence-backed of all the Gotu Kola benefits for skin is helping boost collagen production. The herb’s triterpenes can stimulate collagen synthesis.1
Most of this can be traced back to Asiatic Acid in particular; however, the triterpene profile as a whole is capable of supporting both Type I and Type III Collagen - the forms responsible for structural firmness and flexibility, respectively.3
This is where a lot of the firming + smoothing fine lines and wrinkles conversation centers. One review of five randomized trials confirmed that topical Gotu Kola could improve the appearance of wrinkles around the eye while hydrating the skin better than retinoids.2
Anyone struggling with sagging skin around the jawline or under the eyes should turn to Gotu Kola. It’s one of the most proven natural remedies for wrinkles on the face.
Fighting Free Radicals
Every visible sign of aging is made worse by oxidative stress, from fine lines to uneven tone. This is where the Gotu Kola skin benefits turn from corrective to protective. The herb’s antioxidant properties help clear out the free radicals that can take a toll on your skin.
One clinical trial showed that Gotu Kola could boost the body’s natural antioxidant defense, basically improving its resiliency to free radicals from the inside out.5 This keeps your collagen and elastin fibers intact, offsetting the effects of aging.
Bolstering Skin Barrier Function
Your skin barrier is in charge of keeping moisture in and irritants out. A lot of skin concerns can be traced back to poor barrier integrity. So what does Gotu Kola do for skin in this regard?
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says that Gotu Kola can improve barrier function by “forming a film on the surface and helping hold in moisture.”6 Meanwhile, madecassoside calms an overactive inflammatory response within the barrier.7
It’s a two-pronged approach to keeping your skin’s first wall of defense intact.
Smoothing and Brightening Benefits
Whether it’s texture-related damage or hyperpigmentation, there’s reason to believe Gotu Kola can help smooth and brighten the skin as well!
One of its triterpenes (asiaticoside) can inhibit melanin production, which prevents excess pigment from getting into the skin.8 It doesn’t happen overnight, but the skin’s tone naturally evens out as these pigmented cells shed and healthy ones pop through.
The smoothing side of things comes from faster cell turnover, which again, is all thanks to Gotu Kola’s powerful triterpene profile. This makes Gotu Kola a wonderful pairing alongside other hyperpigmentation products when you’re dealing with stubborn discoloration.
Tips on Tapping Into the Gotu Kola Skin Benefits
There are a few different ways you can bring the Gotu Kola benefits for skin into your routine. You might find that a few of these products have a place in your ritual. But the #1 Gotu Kola product we make is the Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Duo, which consists of the first two products below. When Essence + Gel Moisturizer are used together it's clinically proven* to achieve the following after 4 weeks:
- 100% agreed their skin felt instantly hydrated, refreshed, and more comfortable
- 100% agreed their skin looked smoother, more supple and firmer
- 97% agreed their skin felt strengthened and more responsive to skincare.
*Based on 4-week independent clinical study with 31 participants using instrument measurements and image analysis
Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Gel Moisturizer (NEW!)
A better option when you want to moisturize the skin as a whole and bring the benefits of Gotu Kola for skin into your daily ritual.
It’s a lightweight, cooling gel powered by not just Gotu Kola but also Tremella, a mushroom known for boosting skin hydration and drawing moisture in. The Fruit Exosome Blend is derived from apples, tangerines, and papayas to encourage skin cell communication for smoother, firmer, more lifted-looking skin.
We ran a 4-week trial with 31 participants. The moisturizer enhanced skin hydration levels by 1.5x immediately after use, while improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles. 100% of customers we polled said their skin felt instantly hydrated, refreshed, and more comfortable.
Apply a generous layer to the face and neck after serums. Follow with SPF in the morning. This is going to be your go-to during warmer months, or if you find traditional cream-based moisturizers “too heavy.”
Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Rejuvenating Essence (NEW!)
Same formula as the Gel Moisturizer. Just way lighter! Dispense the essence onto a cotton pad after cleansing, and sweep it over the face, neck, and chest. Don’t use it around the eyes, and don’t rinse it off. Let it soak in while you sleep.
Gotu Kola Intense Repair Balm
This is the most concentrated form of Gotu Kola we have in store for you here at Naturopathica. It pairs Gotu Kola with Candelilla Wax (a vegan alternative to beeswax) for a luxurious emollience. Raspberry Seed Oil is added for its rich concentration of omega fatty acids to really help nourish the skin barrier.
The Gotu Kola Intense Repair Balm is one of our most powerful hydration replenishers. It soothes dry skin, calms facial redness, and even conditions the lips and cuticles.
Warm a little bit between your fingertips to melt and activate the balm. Press it into the dry, irritated areas on your face, body, lips, or cuticles. It’s more of a targeted treatment than a complete body and face moisturizer.
Our estheticians recommend putting it as the last step in your evening ritual. It can be your saving grace when your skin feels tight or reactive after being battered by wind, cold, or dry indoor air.
Should You Supplement With Gotu Kola, Too?
The Gotu Kola benefits for skin require topical application. This gets those triterpenes right where they’re needed for maximum results. But some people choose to support their skin from the inside out at the same time. A Gotu Kola supplement could be worth looking into.
Just know that most oral supplements featuring Gotu Kola are designed to improve cognition - not support the skin. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, just context we think you need before you go spend your money on a supplement.
All you need to bring the Gotu Kola skin benefits into your daily routine is right here at Naturopathica. Shop Mother Nature’s finest remedies backed by modern skincare science!
Frequently asked questions
Is Gotu Kola good for the face?
Yes. It’s well-tolerated across all skin types, including reactive, sensitive, oily skin. The benefits of Gotu Kola for skin are far-reaching - from hydration to firming, smoothing, brightening, and protecting. It’s one of the most versatile ingredients in skincare.
Does Gotu Kola tighten skin?
Research shows the triterpenes in Gotu Kola can boost collagen synthesis which can in turn firm up sagging skin.1 Just know this process takes time, so you’ll have to stick to consistent daily application for weeks before noticing an improvement.
How long does it take for Gotu Kola to start working?
Most clinical studies we combed through show that the Gotu Kola benefits for skin manifest over a 4-8 week span. There are a lot of individual factors at play, though. It’s also worth knowing that certain benefits like hydration can be felt from the very first application.
Related Resources
What is Manuka Honey good for? | Calendula skin benefits | How to use Aloe Vera on face
References
- Maquart FX, Bellon G, Gillery P, Wegrowski Y, Borel JP. "Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by a triterpene extracted from Centella asiatica." Connective Tissue Research. 1990;24(2):107-120. PubMed
- Kongkaew C, Meesomperm P, Scholfield CN, Chaiwiang N, Waranuch N. "Efficacy and Safety of Centella Asiatica (L.) Urb. on Wrinkles: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis." Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2020;71(6):439-454. PubMed
- Bylka W, Znajdek-Awizen P, Studzinska-Sroka E, Danczak-Pazdrowska A, Brzezinska M. "Centella asiatica in dermatology: an overview." Phytotherapy Research. 2014;28(8):1117-1124. PubMed
- Ratz-Lyko A, Arct J, Pytkowska K. "Moisturizing and Antiinflammatory Properties of Cosmetic Formulations Containing Centella asiatica Extract." Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2016;78(1):27-33. PubMed
- Legiawati L, et al. "Oral and Topical Centella asiatica in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Dry Skin: A Three-Arm Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020;2020:7253560. PubMed
- Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, MD (Board-certified dermatologist, Medical Director of LovelySkin). Quoted in LovelySkin. Source
- Park KS. "Pharmacological Effects of Centella asiatica on Skin Diseases: Evidence and Possible Mechanisms." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2021;2021:5462633. PubMed
- Kwon KJ, et al. "Asiaticoside, a component of Centella asiatica, inhibits melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma." Molecular Medicine Reports. 2014;10(1):503-507. PubMed
