Asiaticoside

Asiaticoside is a Centella asiatica triterpenoid used mainly for barrier support and soothing/repair, typically at low concentrations (often well under 1%) in leave-on products. Human data and broad cosmetic use suggest low primary irritancy and it is generally well-tolerated even in reactive skin, though rare individual sensitivities to Centella-derived compounds can occur. Given its low-use levels and favorable tolerability profile but non-zero allergy potential, it fits best as "very gentle" rather than inert. Safety Notes: In commercial Centella asiatica-based cosmetics, asiaticoside is often present only as a minor constituent of botanical extracts, yielding effective in-formula levels down to ~0.0005% in mass-market leave-on creams/lotions/toners and occasional rinse-off cleansers. Higher-strength OTC “active” serums/creams using standardized Centella fractions or purified asiaticoside commonly reach ~0.05–0.2%, with a small number of consumer-available targeted products formulated up to ~0.5% before solubility/stability, cost, and sensorial constraints typically limit further increases. There is no specific EU/FDA maximum for asiaticoside as a cosmetic ingredient; practical formulation limits and supplier standardizations largely define the observed market ceiling, primarily in leave-on products.