Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment Review

Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment has to offer:
 
  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

Key Benefits of Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizing, Ideal for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Propanediol (est. ≈4.0%) and Butylene Glycol (est. ≈3.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Bifida Ferment Lysate (est. ≈6.0%) and Lactobacillus Ferment (est. ≈2.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment to your skincare routine:
 

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains some ingredients often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles, specifically Lactobacillus Ferment, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glucosamine, and Caffeine. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. 

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that these ingredients may reduce wrinkles, their efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, these ingredients do not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Estee Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing ideal for oily skin
  • As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing boost, beneficial for any skin type
  • Lightweight texture
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients like Bifida Ferment Lysate and Lactobacillus Ferment

Cons: 

  • Needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants if used as a standalone moisturizer
  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Lactobacillus Ferment
Function:
Origin:
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Lees Extract
Function:
Origin:
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Algae Extract
Function:
Origin:
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Function:
Origin:
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Function:
Origin:
Acetyl Glucosamine
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Caffeine
Function:
Origin:
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Function:
Origin:
Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Maltodextrin
Function:
Origin:
Carbomer
Function:
Origin:
Tromethamine
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Trehalose
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Pentylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
PEG-75
Function:
Origin:
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Citrate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Sorbate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
10.7
4
3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 10.7 10
10.0
4
3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
4
3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 10.7 10
10
All humectants
10.7
4
3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 2 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Lactobacillus Ferment
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
2
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Acetyl Glucosamine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Caffeine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 1.6 3 No
All antioxidants
1.6
Algae Extract
1
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Caffeine
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
6
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 8.9 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
8.9
6
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Bifida Ferment LysateA mixture of probiotic bacteria. According to the patent holder, it contains enzymes that are able to repair damaged DNA in skin cells. A single study confirms that it is able to reduce skin sensitivity.
Propanediol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Lactobacillus Ferment
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Lactobacillus FermentA biotechnological product – a mixture of metabolic products of Lactobacillus culture. Some Lactobacillus forms have been reported to have anti-wrinkle and barrier repairing effects, as well as able to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and gloss.
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Lees Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Lees Extract
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Algae Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Algae ExtractThe name describes any extract made from any kind of algae. Algae extracts are moisturizing humectants – the gelatin-like polysaccharides bind and retain water, thereby hydrating the skin. Algae is a rich source of emollient and antioxidant compounds.
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Laminaria Saccharina ExtractA soothing extract derived from a species of edible brown seaweed called sugar kelp or Devil’s apron (due to its shape and large surface). It contains water-binding and soothing polysaccharides, as well as many beneficial minerals.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

A small synthetic peptide that is thought to act similarly to Botox by calming contractions of the facial muscles and reducing expression wrinkles. The effect is only temporary and it does not improve the skin structure in any way.

Acetyl Glucosamine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acetyl GlucosamineA body-natural amino-saccharide used in skincare as an anti-pigment ingredient. Some other benefits of acetyl glucosamine include decreased skin flakiness, improved wound healing, and even a slight reduction in facial wrinkles.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Anthemis Nobilis Flower ExtractAn antioxidant and soothing flower extract derived from Roman chamomile. It contains an essential oil that gives it a sweet and floral aroma.
Caffeine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CaffeineAn antioxidant compound that is obtained from coffee and tea leaves. It increases the microcirculation of blood in the skin and is claimed to be able to reduce the appearance of orange peel skin (although the research is lacking).
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateA licorice root derivative with powerful anti-inflammatory and soothing activities. It is often used as a flavoring agent in lip products.
Betaine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
BetaineAn ingredient derived from the sucrose in sugar beets. It has a negative chemical charge and a positive chemical charge on the same molecule. This allows betaine to be hygroscopic or humectant and thus provide moisturization by drawing water to the skin.
Maltodextrin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MaltodextrinA formula helper manufactured from starch. It has a sweet flavor and is often used in rinse-off products to support their foaming structure. Maltodextrin is also used to stabilize emulsions and to absorb and bind other ingredients in the formula.
Carbomer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CarbomerA synthetic ingredient with the ability to gel water. When used in emulsions, such as lotions and creams, carbomer can also act as an emulsion stabilizer.
Tromethamine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
TromethamineAn ingredient based on amino acids that is commonly used as a pH adjuster. It has a high pH, which means that it is basic (alkaline), so adding tromethamine to a skincare product will increase its overall pH level.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Trehalose
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
TrehaloseA sweet-tasting saccharide that can be found in various yeasts and fungi and that is manufactured from starch for cosmetic purposes. It is one of the most popular sugars in skincare and is mainly used for its humectant properties.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pentylene Glycol

A naturally or synthetically derived preservative that exhibits effective antifungal and antibacterial traits. It also acts as a booster for more traditional preservatives. Pentylene glycol can also serve as a moisturizing humectant and solvent.

PEG-75
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-75
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PPG-5-Ceteth-20A synthetic emulsifier that can also contribute to the smooth feel of a product.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Sodium Citrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium CitrateA salt of citric acid that has a salty and tart flavor and is used as a fragrance. It is mildly basic, meaning that its addition to a skincare product can adjust the pH upward.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Potassium Sorbate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium SorbateA preservative widely used in food and personal care products, available from natural sources or synthetically produced. Potassium sorbate works by inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria.