SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule Versus Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum
Updated on January 15, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
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
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 44 ingredients
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 44 ingredients
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
HumectantLauric Acid
Cleansing
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Arginine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Betaine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Hydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Adenosine, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Phytosphingosine, Asiatic Acid, Sucrose Distearate, Polyglutamic Acid, Glucose, Lauric Acid, Phytosterols
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinWater. 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 WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about Niacinamide1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GumPhytosterols 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 44 ingredients
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 44 ingredients
This has been my favourite barrier supporting ampoule/serum to date! My skin soaks this up I use this both am and pm (with a little more in the pm). I have dry, sensitive and rosacea prone skin and this hasn’t ever aggravated anything, no reactions, blends effortlessly and just gives me a hydrated glowy look! Love it! It’s a creamy ampoule but not super thick and just melts into the skin. It’s so Show more
Lovely texture and a good value. Unfortunately, my skin reacted violently to it, it was very irritating, especially around my cheekbones. It is ironic because it’s marketed as soothing and calming for sensitive skin, and I’m not even that sensitive. My suspicion is that I can’t tolerate fermented ingredients because it happened with some other fermented products as well.
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
