Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Versus Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Lotion
This barrier-repair essence is formulated around Bifida Ferment Lysate and Lactobacillus Ferment to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This hydrating toner is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-75
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, PEG-75, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glucosamine, Trehalose, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
Humectant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
PEG-32
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-75
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Succinate
MaskingSorbitol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSuccinic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aphanothece Sacrum Exopolysaccharides
AbsorbentLactococcus/Hyaluronic Acid Ferment Filtrate
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Pentylene Glycol, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Triethyl Citrate, PEG-32, Carbomer, PEG-75, Phenoxyethanol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Disodium Succinate, Sorbitol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Potassium Hydroxide, Succinic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Aphanothece Sacrum Exopolysaccharides, Lactococcus/Hyaluronic Acid Ferment Filtrate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Reviews
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:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAThis ingredient is also known as Macrogol 4000. It is a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of about 3,000 - 4,000 and functions as a humectant and solvent.
Solvents help dissolve and evenly distribute other ingredients within a formula.
Due to its high molecular weight, PEG-75 has limited skin penetration and remains mostly on the surface.
Learn more about PEG-75Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
