Asiaticoside is one of the main components of the Centella asiatica, a herbaceous plant native to Asia. Formerly renowned in Ayurvedic traditional medicine, its use has since expanded to various fields such as skincare, particularly for its restorative virtues detailed in this article.
What is "Asiaticoside" and what is its utility?
Summary
Published on June 20, 2024, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 4 min of reading
The essential knowledge about asiaticoside.
Asiaticoside is a glycosylated triterpene isolated and purified from a herbaceous plant called Centella asiatica, also known under the names of Gotu Kola and Asian Pennywort. This plant grows in the tropical and subtropical marshy areas of Asia, but also in Africa and Oceania. In some Asian countries (China, India, Indonesia), the medicinal properties of this plant have been recognised for over 2,000 years. Populations used it in poultices to heal wounds, and more specifically the skin manifestations of leprosy. Asiaticoside is a compound present in the roots, leaves and petioles of the Centella asiatica. In skincare, asiaticoside presents several benefits detailed below.
The benefits of asiaticoside on the skin.
Firstly, asiaticoside speeds up the healing process, whether in the case of superficial burns or deep wounds. This molecule also significantly increases the tensile strength of newly formed skin. Asiaticoside can therefore be used to soothe sunburn. The components of Centella asiatica, specifically asiaticoside, could also be used to treat certain skin conditions such as scleroderma and psoriasis.
Furthermore, numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of this active ingredient on the diminishing of stretch marks, as well as scars and skin blemishes associated, for example, with acne outbreaks or irritations.
Finally, asiaticoside promotes the production of type I collagen. In addition to preventing skin ageing, this protein ensures cellular regeneration and thus tissue repair.
In which skincare products can one find asiaticoside?
It is possible to find asiaticoside in certain healing and repairing treatments to reduce the appearance of skin marks and/or stretch marks. A gentle compound without contraindications, asiaticoside is also present in some treatments intended for infants and children.
The anti-mark serum from Typology is enriched with brightening and repairing actives, such as the gluconolactone from the P.H.A. category, from the cellular extract of Centella asiatica (I.N.C.I.: Centella Asiatica Leaf Cell Extract), as well as asiaticoside. To fade the marks left by acne, apply a drop locally to the affected areas, in the evening only.
Sources:
LEE J.-H. & al. Asiaticoside augments normal human skin cell migration, attachment, and growth in an in vitro wound healing model. International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology (2012).
BYLKA W. & al. Centella asiatica in cosmetology.Advances in Dermatology and Allergology (2013).
