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Madecassoside

What Madecassoside is & what it does

A purified active from centella (cica) that calms the look of redness, supports the barrier, and aids skin in recovering from stress. It is gentle and soothing.

What is Madecassoside and what does it do in sunscreen?

Madecassoside is a purified active isolated from Centella asiatica, the plant behind cica products. It is used as a soothing ingredient that calms the look of redness, supports the skin barrier, and helps skin feel comfortable as it recovers from stress. In a sunscreen it makes the formula gentler and more pleasant on reactive skin, without affecting the SPF itself.

Is Madecassoside safe?

Yes. It is a well tolerated, gentle active that is especially popular in products aimed at sensitive and easily irritated skin. It is used at low levels and is not associated with common reactions. As with anything new, a patch test is reasonable if your skin reacts easily.

Does Madecassoside clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-soluble active used in small amounts, not an oil or wax, so it is not considered a pore-clogging ingredient. People with acne-prone skin generally tolerate it well, and any breakouts are more likely to come from richer ingredients in the formula.

Is Madecassoside the same as cica or Centella asiatica?

It is one of the key actives from cica, not the whole thing. Cica and Centella asiatica extract contain a mix of compounds, while Madecassoside is a single, purified molecule isolated from that plant. Formulators use it when they want a consistent, concentrated soothing effect rather than the full crude extract.

Is Madecassoside vegan and natural?

Yes, it is plant-derived and suitable for vegan formulas. It comes from Centella asiatica, a plant, so it involves no animal-derived material. It is purified from the plant for cosmetic use, which keeps its soothing effect consistent.

Sunscreens with Madecassoside

We rate 184 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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