Beyond the Scar: Redefining CICA in Modern Skincare
The term ‘CICA’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Cicatrix,’ meaning ‘scar.’ Initially, it was used to refer to specific ingredients or pharmaceutical products effective in treating scars. However, as modern medicine advanced and more potent, sophisticated drugs became the mainstay of wound treatment, the usage of the term CICA shifted. Today, rather than signifying specialized wound-healing medication, CICA is more widely used to describe cosmetic ingredients intended for supportive and maintenance purposes, helping the skin recover its daily condition.
The most representative CICA ingredient, the herb ‘Centella Asiatica,’ is used either in its raw extract form or as precisely isolated triterpene saponins, such as Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, and Asiatic Acid. These triterpene saponins actively promote the recovery of damaged skin. Furthermore, Centella Asiatica contains various other components, including sterols, tannins, and flavonoids, as well as amino acids like lysine and alanine, enabling it to perform a comprehensive role in skin regeneration.
Another hallmark CICA ingredient is 'Panthenol', a precursor to pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid is an essential substance for maintaining normal skin health, and its deficiency is so closely linked to skin wellbeing that it can lead to dermatitis or inflammation. Thanks to these properties, Panthenol plays a vital role in protecting the skin from external irritants and stimulating regeneration. Interestingly, despite its efficacy being proven through numerous clinical trials, the precise underlying mechanism of how it acts within the skin has not yet been fully elucidated.