Clarins Bright Plus Dark Spot-Targeting Milky Essence Versus Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion Fresh With Sakura Ferment
Updated on February 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Clarins Bright Plus Dark Spot-Targeting Milky Essence 27 ingredients
Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion Fresh With Sakura Ferment 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clarins Bright Plus Dark Spot-Targeting Milky Essence 27 ingredients
Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion Fresh With Sakura Ferment 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentDimethicone
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentXylitol
HumectantMalpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantWater, Sorbitan Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ceteareth-20, Isononyl Isononanoate, Squalane, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Biotin, Parfum, Citric Acid, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Xylitol, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Trehalose
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-75
HumectantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
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
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 WaterPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolButylene 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.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
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