Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) for Hair: What the Research Shows

Centella asiatica (gotu kola) is best studied for skin, and its hair evidence is a single cell study: a titrated extract made human dermal papilla spheroids larger and increased hair-inductive gene expression in the lab. We found no trial of Centella for hair in people.

Here's what that study found, what the skin research shows, and what to know about using Centella.

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Key Takeaways

• In 3D spheroids of human dermal papilla cells, a titrated Centella asiatica extract increased cell viability and spheroid size, and increased expression of hair-growth signature genes.
• Reviews say Centella's skin effects, via triterpenes such as asiaticoside, are supported by lab and animal studies, and rigorous clinical trials are needed.
• In an 88-woman study, a face cream with Centella, ceramide and panthenol was effective and safe over 4 weeks for sensitive skin. Adverse events were mild.
• We found no clinical trial of Centella for hair.

What Is Centella Asiatica?

Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, is a medicinal herb. Its triterpenes include asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid.

Does Centella Help Hair?

It's promising in the lab and unproven in people. The skin research shows it's a well-tolerated ingredient in some products, but that isn't evidence for hair.

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Using Centella

• Treat hair benefits as unproven.
• Patch test new products.
• See a dermatologist for hair loss.

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What The Research Shows

A Hair Cell Study

Researchers tested a titrated extract of Centella asiatica on 3D spheroid cultures of human dermal papilla cells. It increased cell viability and spheroid size only in 3D cultures, reduced STAT signalling, and increased the expression of hair-growth-related signature genes, suggesting it activates the hair-inductive capacity of these cells (Choi et al., 2017). This was a cell study.

The Skin Research

A review of Centella and skin diseases reports that the herb and its triterpenes exert therapeutic effects in conditions such as acne, burns, atopic dermatitis and wounds through several signalling pathways in lab and animal studies, and says rigorously controlled long-term clinical trials are needed (Park, 2021).

A Cream With Centella

In 88 Chinese women with sensitive skin, a facial cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP and panthenol was applied for 4 weeks. Sensitive-skin scores fell by 66% at 2 weeks and 76% at 4 weeks, and all adverse events were mild and self-limiting (Su et al., 2025). It was a facial study of a combination product.

See also: Milk Thistle for Hair: What the Research Shows · Stinging Nettle for Hair: What the Research Shows

Centella asiatica is one of the ingredients in FullyVital's Hair Revival Serum. For how the evidence for each ingredient in the line stacks up, see our evidence-tier breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Centella asiatica help hair growth?

In the lab, an extract increased hair-inductive gene expression in dermal papilla cell spheroids. No trial in people.

Is Centella asiatica safe?

In a facial cream study, adverse events were mild and self-limiting. Talk to your doctor first.

What does Centella do for skin?

Lab and animal studies support effects on acne, burns, atopic dermatitis and wounds, and clinical trials are needed.

References

1. Choi YM, An S, Lee J, et al. Titrated extract of Centella asiatica increases hair inductive property through inhibition of STAT signaling pathway in three-dimensional spheroid cultured human dermal papilla cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2017. PubMed
2. Park KS. Pharmacological Effects of Centella asiatica on Skin Diseases: Evidence and Possible Mechanisms. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021. PubMed
3. Su Z, Zheng Y, Yi J, et al. The Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025. PubMed