Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum Versus Pola White Shot LX Lotion
Updated on January 02, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
Pola White Shot LX Lotion 24 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
Pola White Shot LX Lotion 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingBetaine
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Squalene
Emollient
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol Denat., Squalene, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sucrose Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Phytosterols, Caprylyl Methicone, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Cellulose Gum, Disodium EDTA, Madecassoside, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingPEG-8
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingBetula Alba Leaf Extract
AstringentPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methylparaben
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingPanthenol, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-8, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Water, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Phytosterols, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Anhydroxylitol, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylparaben, Triethanolamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.
Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Phytosterols come from plants, nuts, and whole grains. These compounds have skin soothing and moisturizing properties.
Fun fact: They are similar to cholesterol and can help lower cholesterol levels.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
We don't have a description for Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine yet.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
Pola White Shot LX Lotion 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
Another product an Olive Young sales assistant recommended to me during my shopping craze in Korea. I asked her what her favorite product was, and she showed me this one. As with so many other things you can buy in South Korea, they often come with 1+1 deals or minis. Here with mini versions of the toner and moisturizer.
Whenever my skin acts up due to hormonal acne (mostly pre-menstrual), I Show more
