🇺🇸United States

Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum for dry skin

Average

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate hydration for your dry skin, as glycerin and squalane provide humectant and emollient actions respectively, helping to alleviate flakiness.
  • The inclusion of madecassoside and beta-glucan offers excellent calming and soothing benefits, addressing general irritation without exacerbating dryness.
  • The formula is safe for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 2.3k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised by users with sensitive and acne-prone skin for its ability to rapidly soothe redness and repair the skin barrier without causing irritation. The lightweight, non-sticky formula is effective for calming inflammation and improving texture. However, many users find the small bottle size and high price point to be significant drawbacks.

Highlights

  • Expensive for size Mostly Mentioned
    • “Price is steep”
    • “Small bottle”
    • “40ml goes quickly”
    • “Not much product”
  • Calms redness fast Often Mentioned
    • “Redness calm down”
    • “Soothes sensitive skin”
    • “Inflamed acne calmed”
    • “Faded redness morning”
  • Gentle, non-irritating Often Mentioned
    • “No irritation”
    • “Great for sensitive skin”
    • “Dermatology grade”
    • “Hypoallergenic”
  • Lightweight, non-sticky Often Mentioned
    • “Absorbs beautifully”
    • “Not sticky at all”
    • “Fresh and moist”
    • “No greasy residue”
  • Hydrating for oily Sometimes Noted
    • “Hydrated and dewy”
    • “Perfect for oily skin”
    • “Balanced hydration”
    • “Good moisture”
  • Improves texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin felt smooth”
    • “Refined complexion”
    • “Softens skin”
    • “Smoother finish”
  • Not enough for dry Sometimes Noted
    • “Feels a bit dry”
    • “Need layering”
    • “Not rich enough”
    • “Light for dry skin”
  • Heavy for summer Rarely Noted
    • “Heavy during summer”
    • “Bit rich for heat”
    • “Too dewy in humidity”
  • Slightly tacky Rarely Noted
    • “Feels a bit sticky”
    • “Wish finish smoother”
    • “Tacky at first”
    • “Slight residue”

Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, hwahae.co.kr, skinsort.com, yesstyle.com, incidecoder.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Aestura A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum work for dry skin?

This serum works moderately well for dry skin, offering helpful hydration and soothing irritated areas without causing irritation. To truly thrive, dry skin needs products featuring richer hydrating ingredients, ceramides, and barrier-supporting components.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?

Glycerin, squalane, madecassoside, and beta-glucan help make this serum a good fit for dry skin by providing moderate hydration to alleviate flakiness and soothing irritation. A treatment of this type needs richer hydrating ingredients, ceramides, and barrier-supporting nutrients to properly care for dry skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Centella Asiatica do for dry skin?

Centella asiatica helps dry skin by boosting moisture levels and keeping water locked in to make the skin feel softer and smoother. It also calms redness and supports the natural barrier to prevent everyday irritation.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?

Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps application simple and safe around sun exposure. Dry skin of this type needs richer moisturizers and heavier smoothing ingredients to fully lock in hydration and stop flakiness.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to help calm irritation before your retinol product. This product is generally safe for your dry skin and is unlikely to cause irritation when combined thoughtfully, though dry skin often needs richer oils and heavier barrier-repair creams to fully prevent flakiness.

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this serum in your evening routine, and a product of this type for dry skin needs richer moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and heavier oils to lock in hydration and deeply soften dry patches.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as its gentle formula focuses on calming irritation and providing moderate moisture without harsh ingredients. Dry skin typically needs richer moisturizers packed with heavier hydrating oils and barrier-repairing butters to fully lock in moisture and prevent flakiness.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
  • Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.

    Molecules, 2023
  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.

    Dermatology and Therapy, 2023
  • Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.

    The Journal of Dermatology, 2022
  • A single use of an alpha-tocopherol-enriched rinse-off product strongly increases alpha-tocopherol levels in skin barrier lipids maintained for at least 24 hours and significantly inhibits squalene photooxidation in human volunteers compared to a control product.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2005
  • The investigated actives incorporated into alkyl polyglucoside emulsifier-stabilized creams showed no skin irritation and provided increased skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 76 healthy volunteers.

    Vojnosanitetski Pregled, 2016
  • Topical treatment with a mixed RetinSphere - vitamin E formulation significantly decreased lipid peroxidation levels and oxidized squalene percentage, reduced interleukin-1α concentration in lesional areas, and led to clinical improvement in 18 patients with mild comedonal acne.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2014

Ingredients

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

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.