Centella Asiatica vs Squalane
Two popular actives, side by side — no fluff.
Centella Asiatica
aka cica, tiger grass, gotu kola
Centella asiatica is the ingredient behind the 'cica' trend in K-beauty, and for once the hype is largely justified. With solid clinical evidence for wound healing, anti-inflammatory activity, and collagen synthesis support, it's one of the best-studied botanical ingredients in dermatology.
Squalane
aka hydrogenated squalene, plant-derived squalane, olive squalane
Squalane is the hydrogenated (stabilized) form of squalene, a lipid naturally produced by your skin. It's one of the most universally tolerated moisturizing oils available — lightweight enough for oily skin, nourishing enough for dry skin, and unlikely to cause breakouts in anyone.
| Centella Asiatica | Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | soothing | emollient |
| Evidence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Hype Level | well-known | well-known |
| What It Does | soothingwound healingbarrier repairanti-inflammatory |
Can I Use Them Together?
Yes, they can be used together
Centella Asiatica and Squalane have no known negative interactions. They can be layered in the same routine safely.
Both pair well with
Key Differences
- 1Centella Asiatica is a soothing while Squalane is a emollient.
- 2Centella Asiatica is better suited for acne-prone skin.
- 3Squalane is better suited for oily, mature skin.