THE LAB by blanc doux Exper True Toning Serum Versus Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum
Updated on April 22, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 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
THE LAB by blanc doux Exper True Toning Serum 29 ingredients
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
THE LAB by blanc doux Exper True Toning Serum 29 ingredients
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventEthyl Ether
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Phytate
Water, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Ethyl Ether, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Tromethamine, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Phytate
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.
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 WaterButylene 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 Glycerin1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
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.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideBetaine 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 BetaineHydrogenated 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.
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 GlycolMadecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.
Madecassoside has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. It contains fatty acids, amino acids, beta-carotene, and phytochemicals.
One study found using Madecassoside with ascorbic acid helped reduce the signs of aging and improved skin hydration.
Learn more about MadecassosideTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
THE LAB by blanc doux Exper True Toning Serum 29 ingredients
Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
THE LAB by blanc doux Exper True Toning Serum 29 ingredients
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
