Last updated: October 2026 · Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
By Natalie, Founder of biobod
Search for centella skincare and you will find hundreds of options. Cica creams, centella toners, tiger grass masks, ampoules, essences and balms, all promising calmer, happier skin.
The trouble is that the word "centella" on the front of a bottle tells you very little. It does not tell you how much is in the formula, what form it takes, or what else your skin will be exposed to.
This guide will help you choose centella asiatica skincare products with more confidence: how to read the label, which format suits your skin, what to avoid and where to buy in Australia. If you want the background on the ingredient itself first, start with our guide to centella asiatica in skincare.
Key takeaways
- "Centella" or "cica" on the front of the pack does not tell you how much is inside. Read the full ingredient list.
- Look for Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassoside or Asiaticoside on the label.
- Fragrance and essential oils can work against a soothing ingredient, so choose genuinely fragrance-free formulas.
- Serums are the most flexible format because they layer under oils, balms and moisturisers.
- Buy from the brand or an authorised stockist to avoid counterfeit or poorly stored stock.
- Trial sizes and sets are a low-risk way to see how your skin responds.
Table of contents
- What are centella asiatica skincare products?
- How do you know if a centella product is good quality?
- How can you tell if a centella product is authentic?
- Which centella product format is right for you?
- What to avoid in centella products
- What are the best centella skincare products in Australia?
- Where to buy centella skincare in Australia
- Is a centella skincare set worth it?
- Recommended biobod products
- FAQs
What are centella asiatica skincare products?
Centella asiatica skincare products are formulas that contain an extract of the centella asiatica plant, also known as gotu kola, tiger grass or cica. You will find centella in serums, essences, toners, moisturisers, balms, masks and cleansers.
Centella is valued because it helps skin feel calm, comfortable and hydrated. That makes it a popular choice for sensitive, dry and dehydrated-feeling skin. But the benefits you experience depend on the whole formula, not just the hero ingredient on the label.
How do you know if a centella product is good quality?
Turn the product over. The ingredient list will tell you far more than the front of the pack. Work through these checks:
1. Check where and how centella appears
In Australia, cosmetics must list their ingredients in descending order of volume or mass under the ACCC's mandatory standard for cosmetics ingredient labelling. As a general guide, ingredients near the top of the list are present in larger amounts.
Look for one of these names:
- Centella Asiatica Extract or Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract: whole-plant or leaf extract
- Madecassoside or Asiaticoside: purified compounds isolated from centella
- Centella Asiatica Leaf Water: a water-based form, sometimes used as the formula's base
Some brands also use branded, highly purified centella extracts. These are designed to deliver a consistent, targeted ingredient rather than a variable whole-plant extract.
2. Make sure it is genuinely fragrance-free
A soothing ingredient cannot always offset a formula your skin finds irritating. Look past "parfum" and check for essential oils and aromatic botanical blends too. "Naturally scented" is not the same as fragrance-free. Read more in our guide to fragrance-free skincare for sensitive skin.
3. Look at the supporting cast
Centella works best alongside ingredients that support hydration and comfort. Good companions include:
- humectants such as glycerin, sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate)
- soothing botanicals such as aloe, green tea and allantoin
- prebiotics and postbiotics that support a balanced skin microbiome
4. Check the brand's transparency
A quality brand publishes its full ingredient list online, explains how it chooses ingredients and keeps its claims realistic. Be cautious of products that promise to change your skin overnight.
Myth: If a product is called a "cica cream", it must be packed with centella.
Fact: A product name is marketing. Centella could sit near the top of the ingredient list or right at the end. The ingredient list is the only reliable guide.
How can you tell if a centella product is authentic?
Popular K-beauty centella products are widely resold online, and not every listing is genuine or stored well. To reduce the risk of counterfeit or degraded stock:
- Buy direct from the brand or from a stockist the brand lists as authorised.
- Check the label. Products sold in Australia should carry a full ingredient list in English.
- Look for batch codes, sealed packaging and clear expiry or period-after-opening information.
- Compare the price. A price far below the usual retail price can be a warning sign.
- Read verified reviews on the brand's own website rather than relying on marketplace ratings alone.
Which centella product format is right for you?
Centella comes in many formats. The right one depends on your skin and how you like to build your routine.
| Format | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Serum or essence | Most skin types. Layers easily under oils, balms and moisturisers. | Dry skin will still need an oil or balm on top to seal in hydration. |
| Toner | A light first layer after cleansing. | Check for drying alcohols and exfoliating acids. |
| Cream or moisturiser | Combining hydration and moisture in one step. | Richer textures may feel heavy on oily or combination skin. |
| Balm | Very dry patches and colder months. | Best as a final layer, often at night. |
| Sheet mask | An occasional hydration boost. | Many contain fragrance. Single-use packaging creates more waste. |
| Cleanser | A gentle wash. | Rinsed off quickly, so centella has limited time on the skin. |
If you are only buying one centella product, a leave-on serum is usually the most versatile choice. It sits early in your routine, works under almost everything else and suits oily, dry and combination skin alike.
What to avoid in centella products
Green flag
Centella clearly listed, fragrance-free and essential oil-free, supported by humectants and soothing ingredients, with a full ingredient list published online.
Proceed carefully
Added fragrance or essential oils, drying alcohols high on the list, several exfoliating acids in one formula, or claims that sound too good to be true.
Not sure which ingredients your skin might struggle with? See our list of common skin irritants in skincare.
What are the best centella skincare products in Australia?
The best centella product for you is one that suits your skin type, fits easily into your routine and that you enjoy using consistently. When comparing options in Australia, look for:
- centella clearly named on the ingredient list
- a fragrance-free, essential oil-free formula
- supporting humectants and soothing ingredients
- a texture that suits your skin
- a brand that publishes its full ingredients and makes realistic claims
- a trial size or satisfaction guarantee, so you can try it without risk
Our centella product is the Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum. It is a weightless, oil-free serum made in Australia, and it is fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free and pH balanced. It combines Redumatte ASC-Ⅱ®, a highly purified centella asiatica extract, with:
- sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, glycerin and betaine for hydration
- tangerine-derived Calmnerv CR-GL®, aloe, green tea and allantoin for comfort
- inulin (a prebiotic) and lactic acid (a postbiotic) to support a balanced skin microbiome
Use it morning and night on damp skin, then seal with a face oil. Every ingredient is published on the product page, alongside verified customer reviews.
Where to buy centella skincare in Australia
Centella skincare is sold through pharmacies, department stores, specialty K-beauty retailers and directly from brands online. Buying direct gives you the clearest information about the formula and access to the brand's own guarantee.
biobod ships Australia-wide from our online store:
- Free shipping on Australian orders over $50 (a flat $9 applies to smaller orders)
- Orders are sent with Australia Post, usually dispatched within 3 to 5 working days
- Our 30-day Happiness Guarantee means you can try your products with confidence
Is a centella skincare set worth it?
A set can be good value when the products are designed to work together. It also saves you guessing which oil or moisturiser to pair with your centella serum.
| Option | What's included | Choose it if |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery Set ($25) | Trial sizes of the Hydra-Soothe Serum, Barrier Restore Nutrient Oil, Gentle Rice + Oat Cleansing Powder and Probiotic Salvation Balm | You want to try the serum and the full routine before committing to full sizes |
| Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum ($65) | 50ml full-size centella serum | You already have an oil or moisturiser you love |
| Glow Set: Hydrate & Nourish ($136) | Full-size serum (50ml) and Barrier Restore Nutrient Oil (100ml) | You want the serum-then-oil routine and to save compared with buying separately |
Recommended biobod products
Our centella serum
Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum
Best for: Dehydrated, tight or reactive-feeling skin.
A weightless, oil-free serum with purified centella extract, hyaluronic acid and pre and postbiotics.
Explore the Hydra-Soothe SerumSerum + oil duo
Glow Set: Hydrate & Nourish
Best for: Dry, sensitive skin that needs hydration sealed in.
Full-size serum and Barrier Restore Nutrient Oil together, for less than buying separately.
Explore the Glow SetStart gently
Discovery Set
Best for: Trying centella and the full routine before committing.
Trial sizes of our cleanser, serum, oil and balm in one low-risk introduction.
Explore the Discovery SetRelated reading
- Centella Asiatica in Skincare: What It Does and Who It Suits
- Best Hydrating Serum for Dry, Sensitive Skin
- Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
- Fragrance-Free Skincare for Sensitive Skin
- Skincare Ingredients to Avoid
- Common Skin Irritants in Skincare
FAQs
What are the best centella asiatica skincare products available in Australia?
The best centella product is one that suits your skin and that you will use consistently. Look for centella clearly named on the ingredient list, a fragrance-free formula, supporting humectants and a brand that publishes its full ingredients. biobod's Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum is an Australian-made, fragrance-free serum with purified centella extract.
How do I know if a centella asiatica product is authentic and high quality?
Buy from the brand or an authorised stockist, check for a full English ingredient list, batch codes and sealed packaging, and be wary of prices far below retail. For quality, check where centella sits on the ingredient list, whether the formula is fragrance-free and which supporting ingredients it contains.
Where can I buy centella asiatica serums online in Australia?
Centella serums are available from pharmacies, department stores, K-beauty retailers and brand websites. biobod's Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum is sold directly online with free shipping on Australian orders over $50, sent with Australia Post.
Are there affordable centella asiatica products for dry skin?
Yes. Trial sizes are an affordable way to start. biobod's $25 Discovery Set includes a trial size of the centella serum alongside a nourishing oil and balm, which suit dry skin well.
Is a centella serum or cream better?
A serum is more versatile because it layers under oils, balms and moisturisers and suits most skin types. A cream combines hydration and moisture in one step but can feel heavy on oily or combination skin.
What should I look for on a centella ingredient list?
Look for Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassoside or Asiaticoside. Check that the formula is free from added fragrance and essential oils, and look for humectants such as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate.
Can I use more than one centella product?
Yes, centella is gentle enough to layer. That said, one well-formulated leave-on centella product is usually enough. Keeping your routine simple makes it easier to see how your skin responds.
Choose centella with confidence: Try our Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum, pair it with the oil in the Glow Set, or start small with the Discovery Set.
References
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Cosmetics ingredients labelling mandatory standard. Product Safety Australia.
This article is general information about cosmetic skincare and is not medical advice. Prices and shipping details are correct at the time of writing; please check the product pages for current information.
