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Madecassic Acid

What Madecassic Acid is & what it does

A centella compound that calms the look of irritation and supports barrier recovery. It is part of the soothing cica complex.

What is Madecassic Acid and what does it do in sunscreen?

Madecassic Acid is one of the active compounds found in Centella asiatica, the plant behind cica products. In a sunscreen it acts as a soothing agent: it helps calm the look of irritation and supports the skin barrier. It is usually present as part of the wider soothing cica complex alongside related centella compounds.

Is Madecassic Acid safe?

Yes. Madecassic Acid is a centella-derived compound used in soothing skincare and is well tolerated by most people, including those with sensitive skin. It is included at small amounts for its calming feel. As with any active botanical, people with known sensitivities can patch test first.

Does Madecassic Acid clog pores?

Generally no. Madecassic Acid is used in small amounts as a soothing active, not as a heavy oil or wax, so it is not considered a typical pore-clogging ingredient. It is commonly found in calming products aimed at sensitive and reactive skin.

Is Madecassic Acid the same as cica?

It is part of cica, not the whole thing. Cica refers to ingredients from Centella asiatica, and Madecassic Acid is one of its key active compounds, usually grouped with madecassoside, asiatic acid, and asiaticoside. Together these make up the soothing centella complex you see in cica creams and sunscreens.

Is Madecassic Acid an acid that exfoliates?

No. Despite the name, Madecassic Acid is not an exfoliating acid like glycolic or salicylic acid. It is a soothing compound from centella, and the acid in its name is just chemistry, not a sign it strips or peels skin. Its role is to calm the look of irritation, not to exfoliate.

Is Madecassic Acid natural?

Yes. Madecassic Acid is naturally found in the Centella asiatica plant and is extracted or purified from it for skincare use. So it is a plant-derived, natural active, typically refined to a consistent purity for formulas.

Sunscreens with Madecassic Acid

We rate 105 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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