Inside Cica: Madecassoside and Centella, Explained

Published: August 29, 2026

Ingredient Guide

Why Madecassoside is used in soothing-focused skincare—and how it connects to Cica.

Madecassoside is a Centella-derived ingredient valued in skincare for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning functions. It often appears in formulas designed around calm, comfortable-looking skin.

In the CLERIVY Microdart Spot Patch, Madecassoside is part of the Soothe group.

How Madecassoside Connects to Cica

Cica is the familiar skincare name associated with Centella asiatica. It is not a formal ingredient-list name.

Madecassoside is one of the naturally occurring compounds found in Centella asiatica. More specifically, it is a triterpenoid saponin found in the plant.

Centella Asiatica Extract is different. It is a botanical extract derived from the plant rather than the name of one individual compound.

A skincare formula can therefore contain Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, or both.

How It Fits into the CLERIVY Formula

On the CLERIVY product page, Madecassoside is grouped with Panthenol and Zinc PCA under Soothe.

The complete ingredient list also includes Centella Asiatica Extract as a separate ingredient. The Microdart Spot Patch therefore contains both a specific Centella-derived compound and a botanical extract from the plant.

What Madecassoside Research Can Tell Us

Researchers have studied Madecassoside in relation to hydration, oxidative stress, and visible signs of photoaging.

One laboratory study examined hydration-related markers and oxidative responses in cultured skin cells. Because it was an in-vitro study, it did not show how a finished skincare product performs on people.

Another study followed 20 women using a topical formula containing 0.1% Madecassoside and 5% vitamin C. The researchers reported changes in several measures related to photoaged skin, but the study tested both ingredients together. It cannot tell us what Madecassoside contributed on its own.

Neither study tested a dissolving microdart patch or a CLERIVY product. The concentration, supporting ingredients, delivery format, and study design were different.

Studies conducted on the finished CLERIVY Microdart Spot Patch are covered separately on CLERIVY Product Testing & Certifications, together with their methods and limitations.

Explore the Complete Formula

Madecassoside and Centella Asiatica Extract are part of the complete Microdart Spot Patch formula.

Visit What’s Inside a CLERIVY Microdart to see the full patch formula, the separate Blemish Clearing Pad ingredients, and the ingredient amounts CLERIVY currently publishes.

Sources

CLERIVY Microdart Spot Patch — current product copy and ingredient list
What’s Inside a CLERIVY Microdart — complete patch and Blemish Clearing Pad formulas
European Commission CosIng: Madecassoside — cosmetic ingredient name and functions
PubChem: Madecassoside — chemical identity and relationship to Centella asiatica
Madecassoside and Skin Hydration Activities — in-vitro study using cultured cells; not a CLERIVY product study
Topical Vitamin C and Madecassoside in Photoaged Skin — small combination-formula study; not a CLERIVY product study