TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica)
Also known as: centella-titrated-extract, asiaticoside-madecassoside-asiatic-acid, centellicum
The clinical-pharmaceutical version of centella asiatica — a standardized extract used in actual prescription scar creams and post-surgical recovery formulations.
What It Does
Deep Dive
TECA stands for Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica — the pharmaceutical-grade, precisely-standardized form of the centella asiatica extract that retail K-beauty has popularized. Unlike loose 'centella extract' on a generic INCI, TECA is standardized to a specific ratio of three actives: asiaticoside (40%), madecassic acid (60%), and asiatic acid (30%). This standardization matters because the activity of centella varies wildly by harvest, growing conditions, and extraction method — TECA guarantees a known dose of the wound-healing actives. The pharmaceutical version (Madécassol) has been used in dermatology and surgery for scar management since the 1950s. The cosmetic version shows up in serious post-procedure and sensitive-skin lines: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast, Skin1004 Madagascar Centella TECA Boosting Solution, several K-beauty barrier-repair lines. Distinct from generic centella asiatica extract: TECA is what you want when you need actual wound-healing-level performance, not just calming.
Sources
- [1]Centella asiatica TECA wound healing review — View source