Cica, Centella Asiatica, or Gotu Kola - this ingredient of many names has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for its healing and soothing properties for centuries. But is Cica good for acne?
While it won’t kill acne-causing bacteria or unclog your pores, Cica can be a wonderful addition to your skincare routine if you struggle with breakouts. It may help calm inflammatory reactions while easing redness and barrier damage to help breakouts heal faster.
Learn more about using Cica for acne below, including the results you can expect and other ingredients that pair well to keep your complexion clear.
Key Takeaways
- Cica (Centella Asiatica or Gotu Kola) does not actually treat acne blemishes the way Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide might.
- It can help your skin bounce back faster by alleviating the inflammation, redness, and damage left behind by breakouts.
- Cica’s Madecassoside content calms the immune reaction your skin has to acne bacteria to minimize swelling.
- Cica can also support barrier repair for faster recovery between flare-ups.
- You should use Cica alongside other acne treatments for the best results.
Overview of Cica (AKA Gotu Kola)
Cica has been used in traditional medicine across Asia for centuries, mostly for wound healing. But the properties that make it effective for speeding up recovery from skin injuries can be just as effective for skincare, too.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah, MD, FAAD speaks to just how powerful it can be in soothing redness and irritation, all while strengthening and repairing the skin barrier.1 That’s why it’s an intriguing choice for managing acne. It calms the visible signs of breakouts while encouraging better recovery.
Is Cica Good For Acne?
But is Cica good for acne, or is it yet another skincare ingredient that overpromises and underdelivers? The short answer is it can certainly have a place in your skincare ritual. Just not in the way you might hope.
It won’t erase breakouts overnight or actively shrink pimples. It helps your skin deal with the damage left behind by acne breakouts, though, and that may be enough to justify a spot in your rotation.
Helping Heal Acne-Damaged Skin
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger speaks to what makes Cica for acne so powerful. “Because Centella asiatica has anti-inflammatory properties, there's a lot of interest in how it might help improve scarring.”2
He’s not the only one who sees potential in Cica for managing post-breakout marks, lingering redness, and shallow scarring, either. A 2020 split-face trial found that skin treated with Centella extract healed faster and looked less red after laser resurfacing for acne scars.3
Easing Inflammation and Redness
Inflammation can often be the culprit behind clogged pores turning into red, swollen breakouts. That’s why Cica’s ability to support a healthier inflammatory response is so intriguing as it pertains to acne management.
We took a look at a 2019 study on Madecassoside, Centella's main active compound. The results showed it was capable of calming the immune reaction your skin has to acne bacteria.4
In other words, your skin may not have a reaction to that bacteria with the same angry, painful, red blemishes when you use Cica on a regular basis. You may still experience breakouts, but they are less prominent-looking.
Improving Skin Barrier Function
Irritants can easily penetrate the skin when your barrier is compromised. Moisture escapes, too. Both of these effects make every skin concern worse, and acne is a perfect example. So why is Cica good for acne in this sense?
According to Dr. Shah, Cica “strengthens and repairs your skin barrier and hydrates skin.” She believes it can be used year-round by anyone with stressed or sensitive skin.1
There’s a second benefit here, though. You may not experience the same adverse reactions to the active treatments you rely on (Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Retinoids) when the barrier is strong.
Lending Antioxidant Protection
Although Madecassoside is the main active compound in Cica, this skincare superhero contains Asiaticoside and Asiatic Acid as well - two well-documented antioxidants.
This is important because breakout-prone skin is already stressed from inflammation, and antioxidants help fight off free radicals that can wreak havoc on skin. This makes that inflammatory stress less likely to manifest in dark spots or premature texture changes.
Will Cica Remove Pimples on its Own?
Cica isn’t going to clear up blemishes itself. It’s a supporting ingredient rather than an active acne treatment. You need something with antibacterial properties to stop blemishes from surfacing and eliminate existing breakouts.
We agree with Dr. Schlessinger, who says Cica can be a “good supporting ingredient in products that treat acne scarring with other actives.”2 You’ll want to use it alongside Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, or prescription Retinoids.
That being said, does Cica help with acne? Yes, as long as you recognize its role as a recovery ingredient rather than a corrective treatment. We’ll show you how to bring the benefits of Cica for acne into your routine below.
How to Use Cica For Acne
Try this three-step ritual as you add Cica to your skincare regimen.
Use a Good Cleanser First
You need a clean barrier for Cica to do its job, which means removing surface oil, SPF, makeup, and any other debris sitting on your face. Start with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser. We recommend our Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm. Less is more here. Over-cleansing just feeds into the cycle that causes breakouts in the first place by stripping moisture and triggering excess oil production.
Layer in Our Plant Stem Cell Booster Serum
Follow up with our Plant Stem Cell Booster Serum. This combination of Echinacea and Butterfly Bush stem cells brings you antioxidant support and supports your skin's renewal process. Just 2-3 drops on clean skin. Give it a few moments to absorb.
Finish With Our Gotu Kola Balm
Our Gotu Kola Intense Repair Balm features not only Cica, but Candelilla wax and Raspberry Seed Oil for intense moisturizing and soothing. It can quickly calm facial redness and help restore proper barrier function.
You just need a dime-sized amount. Warm it up between your fingers and massage it onto the parts of your skin that need healing. Really try to press it in for maximum absorption. Here’s what others had to say about the balm:
“You will be glowing the next day. This is the all time miracle balm when your skin needs a glow up!” - Callie
“Truly, it’s a balm for everything—alleviates what’s dry or red or itchy. One jar lasts and lasts, as only a tiny bit is needed.” - Bidi
“I use it for facial massages on clients, no way to not love this. Reparative and healing.” - Mackenzie
What Other Products Pair Well With Cica?
The key takeaway from this review of Cica for acne is it should be used as one part of a much more well-rounded routine. These are some products we’ve found pair particularly well with our Gotu Kola Balm.
Lavender & Manuka Honey Balancing Mist
You get both Lavender and Manuka Honey acne benefits from one soothing mist. Manuka Honey has well-documented antimicrobial properties that can help breakout-prone skin. Just spritz this between the cleansing and serum steps.
Marshmallow & Ceramide Sensitivity Soothing Serum
A milky combination of Marshmallow and Ceramides to ease redness and reinforce your skin’s moisture barrier. Layer this underneath the Gotu Kola balm if your acne ritual has any drying active ingredients. It’s a great second line of defense.
Lemongrass Mimosa Body Scrub
A must-have if you deal with acne on your body. This scrub works wonders for breakouts on the back, chest, and shoulders. It won’t overstrip, either. Follow up by applying the Gotu Kola balm to any areas you treated.
Oat Cleansing Facial Polish
This 3-in-1 product pulls its weight by cleansing, exfoliating, and polishing all at once. It’s a naturally calming remedy for acne-prone skin that flares up in the face of harsher cleansers.
Parting Thoughts on Using Cica For Acne
In closing, is Cica good for acne? As long as you recognize its role as supportive, not corrective. You’re not going to watch blemishes disappear overnight. You still need an ingredient (or more aptly, multiple ingredients) that treats the acne itself, while Cica deals with the damage left after.
Frequently asked questions
Can Cica remove acne?
No. It won’t kill bacteria or unclog your pores, the two mechanisms behind most breakouts. It can ease the inflammation that makes blemishes look worse, though. It can also help soothe the discomfort caused by acne and the products used to treat it.
Does Cica clog pores?
No. This ingredient is non-comedogenic so you have nothing to worry about even if your skin is oily or acne-prone.
Does Cica have salicylic acid?
No. Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that dissolves oil and dead skin inside pores, which is why you see it recommended for acne. It’s a great addition as your main treatment while you use Cica on the backend.
Which is better, Cica or Niacinamide?
This is not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. You can use Niacinamide to regulate oil production and improve tone on post-acne marks. Cica works to calm inflammation and restore healthy barrier function. Both have their place in an acne management routine.
Related Resources
Is Cica good for oily skin? | Can exfoliating help acne? | Enzyme peel for acne
References
- Dr. Sejal Shah, MD, FAAD. "What is Centella Asiatica in Skin Care?" NBC Select, March 2026.
- Dr. Joel Schlessinger, MD. "Everything You Need to Know About Centella Asiatica for Skin Care." LovelySkin.
- Damkerngsuntorn W, et al. "The Effects of a Standardized Extract of Centella asiatica on Postlaser Resurfacing Wound Healing." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2020;26(6):529-536.
- Shen X, et al. "Propionibacterium acnes related anti-inflammation and skin hydration activities of madecassoside." Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. 2019;83(3):561-568.
