Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion With Bio-Ferment Versus La Mer The Tonic
Updated on February 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones 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
Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion With Bio-Ferment 26 ingredients
La Mer The Tonic 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion With Bio-Ferment 26 ingredients
La Mer The Tonic 34 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
SolventPEG-75
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Trehalose
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, PEG-75, Lactobacillus Ferment, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Caffeine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Betaine, Maltodextrin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Citric Acid, Trehalose, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingAlgae Extract
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
Smoothing
Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-28-Buteth-35
Skin ConditioningPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sucrose
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Butylene Glycol, PPG-28-Buteth-35, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polysorbate 20, Sucrose, Caffeine, Disodium EDTA, Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Linalool, CI 19140, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 HyaluronateCaffeine 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 CaffeineCitric 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 AcidButylene 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.
We don't have a description for PPG-5-Ceteth-20 yet.
Disodium 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 EDTASodium 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 CitratePhenoxyethanol 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 SorbateIngredient Ratings
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Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion With Bio-Ferment 26 ingredients
La Mer The Tonic 34 ingredients
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