Why everyone’s talking about Gotu Kola—and how it can save your winter skin

Winter skin struggles are real. You know the drill—dry flakes that won’t quit, random redness that pops up out of nowhere, and that tight, uncomfortable feeling after washing your face. Add cold winds, indoor heating, and long hours under harsh screens, and it’s basically a skin stress festival. Enter Gotu Kola (aka Centella Asiatica or “cica”)—the ancient herb taking over your For You page. Used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for its healing and calming powers, Gotu Kola is now the Gen Z-approved skincare ingredient everyone’s raving about. From soothing irritation to supporting collagen production, it’s the winter MVP your skin’s been begging for.

So, what’s making it blow up on social media? Aside from its aesthetic-friendly nickname “tiger grass,” Gotu Kola actually lives up to the hype. It calms inflammation, strengthens your skin barrier, and helps repair damage—all without harsh chemicals or irritation. Plus, it’s super versatile. You’ll find it in serums, creams, toners, masks, and even supplements. Think of it as the do-it-all ingredient that keeps your winter routine simple, soothing, and totally scroll-worthy.

Why Gotu Kola is a winter hero

This humble plant is packed with powerful compounds like asiaticoside and madecassoside that help calm inflammation, boost elasticity, and speed up healing. In short, it’s made for sensitive, winter-stressed skin. Unlike strong actives that can sting or dry you out, Gotu Kola is gentle and layers beautifully under other ingredients. Bonus: most cica creams and serums look just as good on your vanity as they feel on your skin.

How to add it to your routine

Here’s an easy winter lineup: start with a gentle cleanser, follow with a toner or essence infused with Gotu Kola, then apply a serum or gel-cream. Lock it all in with a rich moisturiser, and add an overnight mask a few times a week for that extra calm-and-glow combo. Gotu Kola works especially well post-exfoliation when your skin needs soothing and barrier repair.

Here are some of our top gotu kola products that you can try out. 

82°E Gotu Kola Dew, ₹2,400

Forest Essentials Balancing Night Cream with Gotu Kola, Neem & Pear Juice Ferment, ₹4,250

Chengavi Gotu Kola Combo, ₹2,770

Shiseido Aqualabel Cica Serum Treatment Lotion For Normal Skin, ₹1,782

Dot & Key Super Cica & Salicylic Anti Acne Routine, ₹1,788

Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask, ₹2,070

Winter skin woes? Solved. Gotu Kola is gentle, soothing, and multitasking, perfect for anyone looking to calm, repair, and glow without over-complicating their routine with 15 different steps and products. Pick the right product for your skin type and let this ancient herb do its magic.

Lead image: Pexels & the brands

Inside images: The brands

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