Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion with Sakura
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-agingAcetyl glucosamine, Acetyl hexapeptide-8 + 2 moreStrong evidence
“In addition, the Micro-Nutrient Bio-Ferment is a powerful moisturiser that plumps up the skin and corrects fine lines.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl hexapeptide-8.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingAcetyl glucosamine, Acetyl hexapeptide-8 + 12 moreStrong evidence
“In addition, the Micro-Nutrient Bio-Ferment is a powerful moisturiser that plumps up the skin and corrects fine lines.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
algae extract, betaine.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: algae extract, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine, acetyl hexapeptide-8
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Acetyl glucosamine, Bifida ferment lysate + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: bifida ferment lysate.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Bifida ferment lysate, Caffeine + 1 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (bifida ferment lysate) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Bifida ferment lysate~5.3–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Consists of remains of dead yeast bacteria cells. Helps to hydrate the skin and reduce irritation. Might has some anti-oxidant effect
More about Bifida ferment lysatePropanediol~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolButylene glycol~2.8–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolLactobacillus ferment~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentOryza sativa lees extract~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prunus lannesiana flower extract~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Algae extract~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractLaminaria saccharina extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
More about Laminaria saccharina extractAcetyl hexapeptide-8~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-8Acetyl glucosamine~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosamineSodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAnthemis nobilis flower extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that one one hand, can contain compounds that can help calm down skin irritation, but, on the other hand, its other compounds (especially fragrant ones) can themselves be irritating
More about Anthemis nobilis flower extractCaffeine~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateBetaine~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineMaltodextrin~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinCarbomer~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerTromethamine~0.15–0.65%
Citric acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTrehalose~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPentylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPeg-75~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin.
More about Peg-75Ppg-5-ceteth-20~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A solvent with some emollient properties
More about Ppg-5-ceteth-20Disodium edta~0.05–0.3%
Sodium citrate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citratePhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Water, Bifida ferment lysate, Propanediol, Butylene glycol, Lactobacillus ferment, Oryza sativa lees extract, Prunus lannesiana flower extract, Algae extract, Laminaria saccharina extract, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Acetyl glucosamine, Sodium hyaluronate, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Caffeine, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Betaine, Maltodextrin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Citric acid, Trehalose, Caprylyl glycol, Pentylene glycol, Peg-75, Ppg-5-ceteth-20, Disodium edta, Sodium citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate
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Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Estée Lauder - Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion with Sakura" works well for improving skin hydration As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (acetyl glucosamine, acetyl hexapeptide-8, algae extract, betaine and lactobacillus ferment) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Algae extract, caprylyl glycol and pentylene glycol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.80% - 1.25%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Bifidobacterium longumlysate, a new ingredient forreactive skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2Use of Probiotics for Dermal Applicationsresearchgate.net
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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