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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Centella Asiatica (Cica) wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Topical OTC use. Benzoyl peroxide is used at 2.5-10% in gels, creams, and washes, applied to acne-prone areas once or twice daily; lower strengths (2.5-5%) are usually as effective as 10% with less irritation. There is no oral or systemic dose — it is not ingested. It is often combined with a retinoid (e.g. adapalene) for greater effect. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.
any
Leave-on gel/cream (2.5-5%) or a fixed combination with a retinoid
Topical cosmetic only. Centella/cica is used in serums, creams, and balms (often standardized to madecassoside/asiaticoside) applied to clean skin once or twice daily, popular for soothing and post-procedure care. There is no oral, injectable, or systemic dose in this cosmetic context — oral gotu kola is separate. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.
any
Leave-on serum, cream, or balm standardized to centella triterpenes
Throughout
4-12 weeks
Throughout
First weeks
Throughout
2-8 weeks
1-4 weeks
12-24 weeks
Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2020) · Systematic review
Pooled 120 RCTs (29,592 participants); BPO more effective than placebo/no treatment for participant-reported improvement (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.45)
Efficacy of topical treatments for mild-to-moderate acne: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol (2025) · Meta analysis
Network meta-analysis of 35 RCTs (33,472 participants) comparing nine topical acne agents
Adapalene-benzoyl peroxide, a fixed-dose combination for the treatment of acne vulgaris: results of a multicenter, randomized double-blind, controlled study.
J Am Acad Dermatol (2007) · Rct · n=517
517 subjects randomized double-blind to adapalene-BPO, adapalene, BPO, or vehicle for 12 weeks
Clinical, biometric and structural evaluation of the long-term effects of a topical treatment with ascorbic acid and madecassoside in photoaged human skin.
Exp Dermatol (2008) · Rct · n=20
Randomized double-blind study (n=20) of topical 5% vitamin C + 0.1% madecassoside on photoaged skin over 6 months
Randomized-Controlled Trial Comparing Safety and Efficacy of Repairing Balm vs Topical Antimicrobial for Post-Procedural Wounds.
J Drugs Dermatol (2025) · Rct · n=60
RCT (n=60) after cryotherapy for actinic keratoses: a non-prescription balm with panthenol, madecassoside, and metal salts vs a topical antibiotic
A Systematic Review of the Effect of Centella asiatica on Wound Healing.
Int J Environ Res Public Health (2022) · Systematic review
PRISMA systematic review identified only four clinical trials meeting inclusion criteria — a small human evidence base
Centella Asiatica (Cica) has a higher evidence score (5/10 vs 9/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
No known interactions between Benzoyl Peroxide and Centella Asiatica (Cica) have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.