Today we are talking about a powerful natural cosmetic, useful to fight wrinkles, signs of fatigue and skin damages caused by solar radiation, the centella asiatica. Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, Indian pennywort, Asiatic pennywort or Mandookparni, is a plant of the Apiaceae family. Native to Asia, the gotu kola is widely known and also used in the West thanks to its remarkable cosmetic properties proven by scientific studies. So, why don’t we try to take advantage of the centella asiatica for the beauty of the skin of face and body?
Gotu kola, cosmetic properties
Centella asiatica contains antioxidants, such as triterpenoids, which give it its powerful properties. Centella can be used in case of eczema, psoriasis and wounds, but also to treat wrinkles (Gohil et al, Indian J Pharm Sci, 2010). In particular, in this article we’ll describe the action of centella on wrinkles. The triterpenes contained in the plant, such as asiaticoside and madecassic acid, promote the synthesis of collagen, both type 1 and 3. In fact, there are 28 types of collagen and our dermis is mainly composed of types 1 and 3. With age, collagen degrades and the skin ages, wrinkles and blemishes appear and the skin becomes opaque (Tanaka et al, Dermatol Surg, 2009). Hence the centella helps to rejuvenate the skin making it more elastic, thus counteracting the appearance of wrinkles but also of stretch marks (Ratz-Lyko et al, Indian J Pharm Sci., 2016). Not only that, centella is also an antioxidant and counteracts the damages of free radicals such as the harmful effects of solar radiation, moisturizes the skin and reduces the loss of water through the skin barrier (Maramaldi et al, Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol., 2013 - Bylka et al, Postepy Dermatol Alergol, 2013).
Gotu kola, applications and uses
Centella is therefore useful to prevent and reduce wrinkles, signs of fatigue, expression lines, dark skin spots, stretch marks and dull skin. You can buy creams and gels that contain extracts of centella asiatica. Alternatively, you can create your own anti wrinkle and anti fatigue cosmetic. In herbalist’s or chemist’s shops you can find the dry extract of centella in capsules. Break a capsule and mix the powder with a yogurt, the crushed pulp of a kiwifruit, rich in vitamin C, half a teaspoon of honey and one tablespoon of argan oil. Apply the cosmetic on a clean face and leave on for ten minutes, then rinse and continue with your usual treatment. Before proceeding to apply the mask, however, it is good to do a test on a small area of skin to check if there are any allergic reactions.
