What is Madecassic acid?

Centella isolate

Madecassic acid is a triterpene isolated from centella asiatica, close in structure to asiatic acid. A label carrying this one almost always carries the other centella isolates as well. Like asiatic acid it goes in at small amounts and sits low on the ingredient list.

What can you expect from it?

Not shown on human skin yet.

What won't it do?

Claims you often see, and what is actually true.

Madecassoside results don't count for madecassic acid.
Madecassoside benefits are madecassic acid benefits, or the reverse
It isn't the stronger or upgraded form.
Madecassic acid is the potent one, or the upgraded form
It isn't shown to build collagen in your skin.
Madecassic acid builds collagen in your skin
Centella leaves hold only a little of it.
Madecassic acid is present at meaningful levels in a centella product
Calming skin isn't shown.
Madecassic acid is anti-inflammatory, or calms and rebalances skin immunity

Which products feature it?

114 of the 2320 products we've checked feature this as a key ingredient. Products that disclose a concentration or list it near the top of the ingredient list come first.

Showing 1 to 12.

sidmool
SIDMOOL HOUTTUYNIA CORDATA CICA ESSENTIAL
It's made for better hydration and calmer skin.
Key: Madecassic Acid (#6 on the ingredient list), Houttuynia Cordata Water 92%, Panthenol
Official (Korean)
6 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
better hydration · calmer skin
See each claim
claims, checked
SIDMOOL HOUTTUYNIA CORDATA CICA ESSENTIALbacked by evidence
92% houttuynia water rich in quercitrinpartly backed
Hydrating cica soothing care for sensitive and delicate skinpartly backed
A cosmetic containing 20 years of history and deep love for houttuyniano supporting source found
Even for inner-dry, oily, combination, and teenage skin, comfortable feel!no supporting source found
It is a natural functional derma cosmetic to solve skin concerns.no supporting source found
Torriden
Torriden Balanceful Cica Control Sebum Patch 5ea
Key: Madecassic Acid (#6 on the ingredient list), Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside
Torriden
BALANCEFUL Mask
It's made for better hydration and calmer skin.
Key: Madecassic Acid (#8 on the ingredient list), Panthenol, Asiaticoside
Brand store Official (Korean)
16 claims, summarized
You can expect:
better hydration
Only partly backed:
calmer skin
Don't count on:
firmer skin · better barrier support · less visible dark spots · softer-looking fine lines
See each claim
claims, checked
Replenishes hydrationbacked by evidence
Calming Care: Soothes and comforts sensitive skin with 5D Cica Complexplausible, not tested
A gentle yet effective blend of five types of Cica ingredients helps soothe visible redness and support sensitive skin.plausible, not tested
Soothing Sheet Mask for Irritated Skinplausible, not tested
Soothes and comforts sensitive, stressed skin with five types of Cica ingredientsplausible, not tested
Daily soothing mask provides moisture and soothes with 5 types of centella asiatica extract ingredients. Soothes temporarily redness and red spots.partly backed
Gentle Formula: Suitable even for sensitive skinpartly backed
The human repeat insult patch test(Non-irritant)(1)partly backed
Delivers moisture, helps retain hydration, and soothes the skinpartly backed
Dense Sheet: A firm, essence-soaked sheet adheres closely to keep skin hydrated and supple all dayoverstated
60.01% improved soothing of temporary skin redness damaged by external stimulation (infrared)(2)overstated
38.94% improved skin barrier of temporary skin redness damaged by external stimulation (infrared)(3)overstated
High Adherence: Made with soft, lightweight TENCEL-blend fabric that hugs the skin seamlesslyno supporting source found
A functional cosmetic under the Cosmetics Act (triple functionality: UV protection, wrinkle improvement, whitening) has passed review (or reporting).contradicted by sources
Formulated with Torriden’s patented T-Percent™ Calming Complex together with T-TECA, a micro-sized complex smaller than pores, it delivers calming care without stickiness or heaviness.nothing specific to check
5D Cica Complex for Calm, Comforted Skinnothing specific to check
Torriden
Balanceful Cica Control Serum
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for brightening.
Key: Madecassic Acid (#9 on the ingredient list), Panthenol, Asiaticoside
Brand store Official (Korean)
2 claims, summarized
You can expect:
less visible dark spots
See each claim
claims, checked
Passed functional cosmetics (whitening) review (or reporting) according to the Cosmetics Act.backed by evidence
Rapid calming serum that soothes sensitized skin.partly backed
Torriden
Balanceful For Men Cica Oil-Free Lotion
Key: Madecassic Acid (#9 on the ingredient list), Niacinamide, Madecassoside
Torriden
Balanceful For Men Cica Clearing Skin
Key: Madecassic Acid (#10 on the ingredient list), Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiatic Acid
Torriden
Balanceful For Men Cica Fresh All In One
Key: Madecassic Acid (#10 on the ingredient list), Niacinamide, Panthenol
Dongkook
Madeca Medipatch ACQ
It's made for clearer-looking, calmer skin.
Key: Madecassic Acid (#10 on the ingredient list), Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside
Official (Korean)
41 claims, summarized
You can expect:
clearer-looking skin
Only partly backed:
calmer skin (amount unknown) · a brighter skin tone
Tests passed:
hypoallergenic · skin irritation
See each claim
claims, checked
Contains TECA, tea tree leaf oil, Centella Asiatica Extractbacked by evidence
A mixed patch with 2 sizes to choose and stick according to spot size!backed by evidence
Sticks perfectly to my skinplausible, not tested
When you stick it right! on troubled skin areas, it helps soothe spotsplausible, not tested
Sticks perfectly to my skin-! A slim matte patch that doesn't showplausible, not tested
A semi-transparent matte patch in skin tone, so it doesn't show on bare face or with makeupplausible, not tested
#CoolTone #WarmTone #Regardlessplausible, not tested
Half-cut method with cut lines in the film makes it easy to tear off and use, with no worry about foldingplausible, not tested
Before squeezing, for initial spot soothing carepartly backed
Soothing effect human application test completedpartly backed
Acne use suitability human application test completedpartly backed
Initial spot soothing carepartly backed
Dongkuk Pharmaceutical's key ingredient TECApartly backed
Helps soothe skinpartly backed
Acne-prone skin suitability cosmetic test completedpartly backed
Low irritation test completedpartly backed
Contains Soothing Solumix formula of TECA, Centella Asiatica Extract, and tea tree leaf oilpartly backed
Key ingredient of Soothing Solumix™, Dongkuk Pharmaceutical TECApartly backed
Oil improvement human application test completedpartly backed
1. Helps improve skin oil amount and sebum amountpartly backed
About 33% improvement effectpartly backed
2. Suitable for use on acne-prone skinpartly backed
Helps soothe skin!partly backed
Therefore, the test product “Madeca Medi Patch Arc Q” is judged to be - a product that helps immediate (temporary) soothing of skin irritation after physical stimulation with 1 use. - a product that helps soothe skin with 2 weeks of use.partly backed
Skin low irritation test completedpartly backed
Skin safety human application test completedpartly backed
0.00 low irritationpartly backed
Madeca Medi Patch Arc Q is judged to be non-(no)-irritating. All human application test subjects showed no skin adverse reactions during the test period.partly backed
Try it with confidence! Satisfaction 100%partly backed
Madeca Medi Patch Arc Q confirmed improvement effects through human application tests.partly backed
Patch thickness satisfaction 100%partly backed
Longevity (retention) satisfaction 100%partly backed
Spot coverage satisfaction 100%partly backed
Madeca Medi Patch Arc Q is a hydrocolloid patch that contains Soothing Solumix ingredients TECA, Centella Asiatica Extract, and tea tree leaf oil, helps improve skin oil, and soothes and cares for troubled skin areas.partly backed
Madeca Medi Patch Arc Q is suitable for use on acne-prone skin and is a product with 0.00 skin irritation, low irritation. (Test completed)partly backed
Even sensitive skin can use it with confidenceoverstated
About 33% improvement effectno supporting source found
About 41% improvement effectno supporting source found
Fast soothing effect 100%no supporting source found
Product use 100%no supporting source found
Adhesion completely perfect!no supporting source found
Torriden
BALANCEFUL Toner Pad
It's made for a smoother skin texture and calmer skin.
Key: Madecassic Acid (#11 on the ingredient list), Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Brand store Official (Korean)
17 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
calmer skin · a smoother skin texture · better hydration
See each claim
claims, checked
Gentle Daily Exfoliation for Smooth, Balanced Skinplausible, not tested
Embossed Pad: Textured pad with a 3D embossed surface that thoroughly and gently cleanses problem areas for smoother skin with daily useplausible, not tested
Delivers moisture, helps retain hydration, and soothes the skinplausible, not tested
it provides calming care without stickiness or heaviness.plausible, not tested
Daily toner pad formulated with 5 types of centella asiatica extract ingredients and LHA & PHA calms and provides smoothness for sensitive skin.partly backed
Daily Exfoliation: Gently melts away excess sebum and dead skin cells to refine rough texturepartly backed
Gentle Formula: Mild and non-irritating, even for sensitive skinpartly backed
The human repeat insult patch test(Non-irritant)(1)partly backed
11.2% improved skin texture(roughness)(2)partly backed
100% gave positive answers on feeling like my rough skin texture has become smooth and soft(5)partly backed
Soothes and comforts sensitive, stressed skin with five types of Cica ingredientspartly backed
Gently exfoliates dead skin and excess sebum with a mild, low-pH formulapartly backed
Gently exfoliates to remove old dead skin cells and refine texturepartly backed
84.3% improved skin exfoliation(3)overstated
50.8% improved in skin sebum(4)overstated
A gentle yet effective blend of five types of Cica ingredients helps soothe visible redness and support sensitive skin.overstated
Designed to keep skin balanced, smooth, and comfortablenothing specific to check
Abib
Heartleaf Calming Spot Patch
It's made for clearer-looking, calmer skin.
Key: Madecassic Acid (#11 on the ingredient list), Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Asiaticoside
Official (Korean)
23 claims, summarized
You can expect:
clearer-looking skin
Only partly backed:
calmer skin (amount unknown)
Tests passed:
non-comedogenic
See each claim
claims, checked
*Trouble such as sensitivity, sebum, excess oil, dryness, etc.backed by evidence
Step 1. Moist environment creation. Hydrocolloid patch quickly absorbs secretions and creates a moist environment, protecting the skin from external pollution.backed by evidence
*Limited to raw material characteristics.backed by evidence
2 type size. Highly versatile 2 sizes. Composed of 10mm and 12mm sizes, use according to the size of the concerned area.backed by evidence
*10mm: For small spots *12mm: For large spots (curved areas like chin and mouth area, or areas of greater concern).backed by evidence
Functional: -backed by evidence
Q. How long should it be attached? If the patch swells white and is no longer easy to attach, replace it, or replace it after a certain time (approximately 6-8 hours). It is recommended not to exceed 24 hours.backed by evidence
Q. What is the order of use? After cleansing, on a dry state, or after skincare, lightly wipe the area with a cotton swab and attach. Since adhesion may weaken if there is excess moisture or oil, be sure to dry the attachment area before use.backed by evidence
Trouble care. From early spots to after-calming! Experience emergency calming spot care.plausible, not tested
Slim fit. Invisible seamless cover, Slim fit ultra-adhesive patch!plausible, not tested
Beveling method. Applies a beveling method where the edges are 2 times thinner than the center, ensuring close adhesion without lifting.plausible, not tested
Matte patch. The matte transparent material ensures spot coverage that is unnoticeable even during makeup and outdoor activities.plausible, not tested
Cutting film. Tear along the cutting line for clean use. A cutting line is applied to the center of the back film with the patch, allowing easy removal and hygienic use.plausible, not tested
Q. When do you use it? It can be used at every stage, from the initial trouble spot to the after-spot.plausible, not tested
Heartleaf x Calming. Blocks external pollution and calms for sure!partly backed
Step 2. Soothing trio synergy. Contains heartleaf and TECA, a key ingredient of centella, which help soothe sensitive skin, and tea tree leaf oil that calms irritated skin, to quickly soothe skin spots.partly backed
Non Comedogenic. Acne-prone skin suitability test completed.partly backed
*Acne-prone skin suitability test (non-comedogenic test) completed / Korea Intertek Testing Services Co., Ltd.partly backed
Completed a human efficacy evaluation suitable for acne-prone skin, and since it does not clog pores, even sensitive skin can use it with confidence.overstated
Waterproof. The excellent patch fabric doesn't lift even when wet, and maintains for a long time during daily activities like washing and showering, as well as sweat, so it doesn't easily detach even during exercise.overstated
Less stress. Safe care for sensitive skin. Experience spot care without worry even on sensitive skin.overstated
The moment when Trouble* needs calmingnothing specific to check
Emergency spot care, heartleaf spot patchnothing specific to check
SIDMOOL
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Lotion
It's made for calmer skin and better barrier support.
Key: Madecassic Acid (#11 on the ingredient list), Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 80%, Madecassoside
Official (Korean)
10 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
calmer skin · better barrier support
See each claim
claims, checked
Silicone oil was not used.backed by evidence
The white color of raw ingredients that used no synthetic colorantsbacked by evidence
A moisturizing lotion with little oiliness!plausible, not tested
Highly concentrated! High content! Centella asiatica leaf water 80%partly backed
A barrier moisturizing lotion made with only skin health in mindpartly backed
Helps soothe troubled skin and care for the barrierpartly backed
pH approx. 6.3, weakly acidic productpartly backed
No synthetic fragrance is used, so it has the inherent scent of the raw ingredients.partly backed
Skin irritation test completedno supporting source found
Animal-derived freeno supporting source found
Centellian24
Madeca Powder Tea Tree AC Set (with Gel Serum 15ml)
Key: Madecassic Acid (#11 on the ingredient list), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Niacinamide
4 claims checked
claims, checked
Madecabacked by evidence
Tea Treepartly backed
ACpartly backed
[No.1 Pore Serum]no supporting source found

Often featured alongside it

Are the claims about it backed up?

We checked each claim that features this ingredient. Open the list below to see the result for each one.

See the results by claim

Result	Claims
backed by evidence	7 of 26
plausible, not tested	3 of 26
partly backed	9 of 26
overstated	4 of 26
no supporting source found	1 of 26
nothing specific to check	2 of 26

These are counts of claims, not products. One product can name the same ingredient in several claims, and we checked each one on its own.

Sources

We summarized the published studies and public records listed below, each with its DOI or PubMed number. Findings about treating medical conditions are outside what a cosmetics page covers, so we left them out.

What won't it do?

Madecassoside results don't count for madecassic acid.
Put side by side, the sugar free forms harmed fish and cultured cells while the sugar attached forms did not at the same amounts. A result for one cannot be read as a result for the other.
A side by side comparison in fish and in cultured cells, not on skin.
Contradicted by a direct comparison.
Asiatic acid and madecassic acid caused zebrafish cardiotoxicity and H9C2 cell death while asiaticoside and madecassoside showed no toxicity effects until saturation.
Sources: 6
It isn't the stronger or upgraded form.
Wherever the compounds were ranked, madecassic acid did not come out on top: the collagen readings were about equal, and asiatic acid led the antioxidant comparison. It stood out in one place only, a single gene.
Two side by side comparisons in cultured cells.
Contradicted where it was ranked.
In the head to head collagen assay the components stimulated collagen I to a similar extent.
Sources: 1
It isn't shown to build collagen in your skin.
The collagen evidence stops at cells in a dish, and no study here applied madecassic acid to skin.
Cultured cell studies only, and the human work on centella and wrinkles tested the plant extract and asiaticoside rather than madecassic acid.
The collagen evidence is fibroblast culture and a cell culture gene expression study.
Sources: 1, 3
Centella leaves hold only a little of it.
Centella leaves carry little madecassic acid and much more of the sugar attached forms, so a product made with a plain extract is unlikely to be delivering much of it unless the raw material was concentrated on purpose.
An analysis of what centella leaves contain, and no study here measured how much sits in a finished product.
Analysis of Centella leaves found the material low in asiatic and madecassic acid while significant in madecassoside and asiaticoside.
Sources: 5
Calming skin isn't shown.
That evidence comes from mice given it by mouth, with the reading taken in the gut rather than on skin, so it says nothing about skin.
An animal study by mouth measured in the gut, and the same paper notes the route of use changes the outcome for this family of compounds.
The immunology is genuine, oral and intestinal.
Out of scope, not supported.

Lab and related-material results

In lab cells it boosts collagen, about as much as its sister compounds.
In cultured human skin cells madecassic acid raised collagen production, and its two sibling compounds raised it by about the same amount. It did not do better than them.
A dish study on human skin cells, comparing the three compounds side by side rather than on skin.
Sources: 1
In lab cells exposed to UV it eases oxidative stress, but asiatic acid does more.
In cultured skin cells put under UVB light, the four centella compounds together lowered oxidative stress, and madecassic acid was one of them. Where the four were ranked, asiatic acid came first, not madecassic acid.
Cultured skin cells exposed to UVB, comparing four centella compounds.
Sources: 2

Citations

1
Bonte F, Dumas M, Chaudagne C, Meybeck A. Influence of asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and asiaticoside on human collagen I synthesis. Planta Med. 1994;60(2):133-135.DOI 10.1055/s-2006-959434 PMID 8202564
2
Lim J, Lee H, Hong S, Lee J, Kim Y. Comparison of the Antioxidant Potency of Four Triterpenes of Centella asiatica against Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024;13(4):483.DOI 10.3390/antiox13040483 PMID 38671930
3
Coldren CD, Hashim P, Ali JM, Oh SK, Sinskey AJ, Rha C. Gene expression changes in the human fibroblast induced by Centella asiatica triterpenoids. Planta Med. 2003;69(8):725-732.DOI 10.1055/s-2003-42791 PMID 14531023
4
Laugel C, Baillet A, Ferrier D, Grossiord JL, Marty JP. Incorporation of triterpenic derivatives within an o/w/o multiple emulsion: structure and release studies. Int J Cosmet Sci. 1998;20(3):183-191.DOI 10.1046/j.1467-2494.1998.171750.x PMID 18505502
5
Hashim P, Sidek H, Helan MH, Sabery A, Palanisamy UD, Ilham M. Triterpene composition and bioactivities of Centella asiatica. Molecules. 2011;16(2):1310-1322.DOI 10.3390/molecules16021310 PMID 21278681
6
Guo Q, Li Q, Liang W, Zhang Y, Jiang C, Zhang Y, Tan J, Zhao H. Asiatic acid and madecassic acid cause cardiotoxicity via inflammation and production of excessive reactive oxygen species in zebrafish. J Appl Toxicol. 2024;44(7):1028-1039.DOI 10.1002/jat.4602 PMID 38527925

What each point on this page rests on, with full citations.