Two botanicals with a long history
Long before modern aesthetic medicine, centella asiatica and ginseng were part of traditional Asian medicine. Centella was applied to wounds and skin lesions; ginseng was used as a tonic for general vitality. Over time, research identified the compounds behind their effects, and both became common ingredients in cosmetics.
Today they are taking another step: their use as plant-derived exosomes within professional products, combined with regenerative and brightening actives.
Centella asiatica (CICA): the repair botanical
Centella asiatica is a herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. In cosmetics it is known as CICA, short for its name, and has become synonymous with calming, repairing products.
Its main compounds
Its effects are attributed mainly to a group of triterpenes:
- Asiaticoside.
- Madecassoside.
- Asiatic acid.
- Madecassic acid.
What it brings to the skin
The literature associates these compounds with:
- Support for wound healing and skin repair.
- Stimulation of collagen synthesis by fibroblasts.
- Inflammation control, with a calming effect.
- Skin barrier care and better hydration.
- Antioxidant action.
That is why centella is so popular for sensitive, reactive or post-procedure skin.
Ginseng: the vitality botanical
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a root traditionally used as a tonic. Its most studied compounds are the ginsenosides, a group of saponins with various biological activities.
What it brings to the skin
- Antioxidant action, helping protect the skin against oxidative stress from sun and pollution.
- Support for vitality and radiance, especially in dull or tired-looking skin.
- A contribution to anti-aging care, in combination with other actives that support the matrix.
What plant-derived exosomes are
Plants, like animal cells, release membrane-bound nanometer-scale vesicles that carry lipids, proteins, fragments of genetic material and metabolites. They are known as plant-derived exosome-like vesicles or, more simply, plant exosomes.
Their interest in aesthetics rests on three characteristics:
- Vesicle structure: the membrane protects the cargo and makes interaction with skin cells easier.
- The plant's own bioactive cargo: for centella and ginseng, compounds related to repair, calming and antioxidant action.
- Sourcing profile: they come from a plant source, which makes them simpler to obtain than cell cultures.
It is important to be precise when communicating this: plant exosomes are not the same as human exosomes. They share the logic of a messenger vesicle, but their origin and composition differ. To review the general concept, see what exosomes are.
Why combine centella and ginseng
The combination brings together two complementary profiles:
| Contribution | Centella asiatica | Ginseng |
|---|---|---|
| Repair and healing | Strong | Supporting |
| Collagen synthesis | Strong | Supporting |
| Calming and inflammation control | Strong | Supporting |
| Antioxidant action | Present | Strong |
| Vitality and radiance | Supporting | Strong |
Together they cover repair and revitalization, two frequent goals in patients with tired, sensitized or recovering skin.
From plant to protocol: Ginseng + Centella Exosome
Aethera Mésolab's Ginseng + Centella Asiatica Exosome starts from this combination and builds it into a two-component system with EXOSIGNAL™ technology:
Freeze-dried powder (100 mg):
- Ginseng + centella asiatica (CICA) exosome complex: 15 mg.
- Freeze-drying excipients: 85 mg.
Diluent (6 ml):
- Regenerating complex: PDRN (60,000 ppm) 6 mg, atelocollagen 18 mg, acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.5 mg and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.3 mg.
- Brightening and antioxidant complex: tranexamic acid 10 mg, glutathione 8 mg, niacinamide 4 mg and carnosine 3.2 mg.
The logic is that of fourth-generation biostimulation: the botanical exosomes provide the signal, the regenerating complex provides support for the matrix, and the brightening complex works on tone and antioxidant protection. The product sums it up as "more than exosomes: multi-level regeneration".
Why add brightening actives to the botanicals
Centella and ginseng work mainly on repair and vitality, but many patients also come in about uneven tone, superficial dark spots or lack of radiance. That is why the formula includes a brightening complex:
- Tranexamic acid: known for its effect on pigmentation and tone; helps reduce the appearance of dark spots.
- Niacinamide: supports even tone, barrier function and the appearance of pores.
- Glutathione: an intracellular antioxidant associated with brighter, more even skin.
- Carnosine: an antioxidant that helps protect the skin against oxidative stress and maintain its vitality.
The combination makes it possible to work on tone and radiance without resorting to irritating depigmenting agents, which is especially useful in sensitive skin that does not tolerate the usual topical treatments. It also means a single application addresses both the repair side and the tone side of the patient's concern, instead of splitting them across two separate products or visits.
Patient profiles where it fits
- Dull, tired-looking skin, lacking radiance and with uneven texture.
- Sensitized skin that needs repair and calming before other treatments.
- Patients recovering from laser, peels or microneedling.
- Uneven tone and superficial dark spots in skin that does not tolerate depigmenting agents.
- Younger patients looking for preventive maintenance of skin quality.
Indications
- Skin rejuvenation and revitalization protocols.
- Programs for recovery and regeneration of the skin's appearance.
- Skin conditioning after compatible aesthetic procedures.
- An adjunct in microneedling, laser and skin-infusion protocols.
- Skin barrier care and visible improvement in texture, radiance and evenness.
How it is prepared and applied
- Using aseptic technique, slowly add the 6 ml of diluent, directing it toward the inner wall of the vial.
- Mix with gentle swirling, without shaking, until the preparation is homogeneous.
- Inspect the product before applying it.
- Use immediately, with the technique and amount set by the practitioner; discard any leftover. The vial is single-use: 1 box = 1 application.
Storage: before reconstitution, in its original packaging, protected from direct light, humidity and heat, between 3 °C and 25 °C, without freezing.
Precautions
- For use only by trained professionals.
- Do not use if the container is damaged, the seal broken or the product expired.
- Do not use in people with hypersensitivity to any component.
- Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
- Do not mix with other products or use solvents other than the one specified.
- Do not apply to skin with active infection, intense inflammation or open lesions unless the product and protocol are expressly validated for it.
- Stop and assess in case of an unexpected or persistent reaction.
Cosmetic CICA versus professional CICA
Many patients already use creams with centella asiatica. It helps to explain the difference:
| Aspect | Cosmetic CICA cream | Professional treatment with CICA exosomes |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Topical, daily | Professional techniques in clinic |
| Form of the active | Extract or isolated compounds | Plant exosomes + regenerating and brightening complexes |
| Goal | Maintenance and calming | Treatment with defined goals |
Both can coexist: the cream supports the skin at home and the professional treatment works on goals that cosmetics cannot reach.
For practitioners, this familiarity is an advantage. A patient who already trusts centella in their daily routine usually finds it easier to accept a professional treatment built around the same botanical. The conversation shifts from "what is this new ingredient?" to "this is the professional version of something your skin already likes", which lowers resistance and helps set realistic expectations. It is still worth checking which home products the patient uses, so that nothing in the routine competes with the treatment in the days after a session.
Communicating the plant origin accurately
"Plant-based" can sound reassuring, but it should never be presented as a guarantee of safety or as proof of effect. Explain that the exosomes come from centella and ginseng, what they carry and what the other actives in the formula add. Accurate wording keeps expectations realistic and is easier to support with the technical data sheet.
Summary
Centella asiatica brings repair, calming and collagen support; ginseng brings antioxidant action and vitality. As plant exosomes, combined with PDRN, atelocollagen, peptides and brightening actives, they form a skin booster that works on several levels of the skin in a single application.
Discover Ginseng + Centella Exosome, read about PDRN for the skin or contact our authorized distributors.
Informational content for healthcare professionals. It does not replace individual clinical assessment or the manufacturer's instructions.
Frequently asked questions
What does centella asiatica do for the skin?
Centella asiatica, known as CICA, is associated with wound healing, collagen synthesis, inflammation control and skin barrier care. Its main actives are triterpenes such as asiaticoside and madecassoside.
What does ginseng bring to the skin?
Ginseng contains ginsenosides, compounds associated with antioxidant action, protection against oxidative stress and support for skin vitality and radiance.
What are plant-derived exosomes?
They are nanometer-scale, exosome-like vesicles obtained from plants. They carry lipids, proteins and other bioactive compounds, and are used as a vehicle for communication and actives in skin formulations.
Are plant exosomes the same as human exosomes?
They are not identical. They share the membrane-bound vesicle structure and the transport role, but their origin, composition and cargo are different.
