Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Versus La Mer The Treatment Lotion
Updated on May 11, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and peptides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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
Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion 23 ingredients
La Mer The Treatment Lotion 70 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion 23 ingredients
La Mer The Treatment Lotion 70 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-75
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
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 Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSucrose
Humectant
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
Smoothing
Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningTourmaline
Urea
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Sulfate
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Nitrate
SoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTriacetin
AntimicrobialLecithin
Emollient
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Algae Extract, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sucrose, Yeast Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Plankton Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycereth-26, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Trehalose, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maris Sal, Tourmaline, Urea, Sodium PCA, Glycine Soja Protein, Glycosaminoglycans, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Nitrate, Pentylene Glycol, Triacetin, Lecithin, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-51, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline, is a popular peptide in skincare. It’s often referred to as a “Botox-like” ingredient because it helps reduce muscle movement.
By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, it’s not as powerful as Botox, and research on its long-term effectiveness is still limited.
Beyond smoothing, Argireline may also support collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm, bouncy, and well-hydrated by strengthening the skin barrier.
So while Argireline isn’t a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a routine focused on both prevention and skin health.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Butylene 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 GlycolCaffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTALactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.
Studies show lactobacillus ferment to be effective at repairing the skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier helps keep your skin healthy and hydrated. It also protects against bad bacteria.
As a probiotic/prebiotic/postbiotic, Lactobacillus ferment can help regular our natural biome. In fact, one study found a lack of diversity in our natural skin biome can trigger acne.
Learn more about Lactobacillus FermentPentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWe don't have a description for PPG-5-Ceteth-20 yet.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion 23 ingredients
La Mer The Treatment Lotion 70 ingredients
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Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion 23 ingredients
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