Has anyone not heard of the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence at this point? It’s probably one of the most famous skincare products out there, and also stupid expensive, along with everything else from the brand. Show So the million dollar question: are SK-II products actually worth it? I’ve tried 11 SK-II products at this point, so here’s my roundup of which products are actually worth buying, as well as where to buy them to get the best deal. But first, let’s talk about the “miracle” ingredient and the star in all SK-II products: Pitera. What is Pitera essence?The Myth In a quest to find the next it skincare ingredient, scientists noticed that the hands of aged sake brewers were super soft and youthful, and deduced this was all due to the yeast produced during the sake fermentation process. After researching 350+ strains for over 5 years, they finally found the one – Pitera. The Facts Its official name is Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, and while it’s not as well studied as star ingredients like retinol or vitamin c, the research so far is promising:
There’s 92.7% of this in their essence, and it’s also listed as the top, if not top 3 ingredient in all their products, so props to SK-II for that. BUT, if you have fungal acne, I would be careful of Pitera because it could make your situation worse.  Products worth buyingFacial Treatment Essence One of my favorite products of all time, it’s done a great job of refining and brightening my skin, and it feels just like water on the skin. It doesn’t smell great, but it’s a small flaw given the amazing results. → $64-$99 for 75ml at Stylevana, MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, Sasa, b-glowing, Sephora Genoptics Aura Essence I’ve since discovered the Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum which works just as well at a fraction of the price! Nicknamed the lightbulb serum in Asia, it not only looks like a light-bulb but makes your skin glow like one too! Like I thought the FTE was great for brightening but this look my skin to a new level. The texture is creamy, but not heavy, and layers well under products. → $191-$240 for 50ml at Stylevana, MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, Sasa, b-glowing, Sephora Facial Treatment Clear Lotion This is similar to the FTE but with lower Pitera % and added AHAs (citric, lactic, and malic acids) + BHA (salicylic acid) to gently exfoliate the skin. While this doesn’t brighten as well as the FTE, it’s great keeping your skin soft and smooth! → $49-$76 for 160ml at Stylevana, MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, b-glowing, Sephora Worth trying if you have the $$$R.N.A.POWER Airy Milky Lotion Such gorgeous texture. It’s light, creamy, but still super moisturizing, keeping my skin super soft and plump. However given the price, I definitely would’ve preferred to see more results, hence it’s more of a nice-to-have rather than a must-have. → $29-$160 for 80ml at Stylevana, MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De Facial Treatment Cleanser Ok so I’m kinda torn with this one, because the tiniest amount creates a rich lather that leaves skin not just clean, but noticeably brighter. But goodness the price is high for a cleanser, so if you’re not printing cash, it’s better to spend your money elsewhere. → $48-$75 for 100g at Stylevana, MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, Sephora Facial Treatment Cleansing Cream Another one I have mixed feelings about. This has the texture of cold cream, but emulsifies beautifully and rinses clean, leaving my skin so soft and balanced. I actually enjoy this more than the cleanser, but again, it’s a lot of $$$ to spend on something that stays on your skin for 30 seconds. → $56-$65 for 80g at Stylevana, MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De Genoptics Spot Essence At first I thought this was useless, but it’s actually helped fade some of my more recent dark spots! Very few products have managed to do that (sorry, vitamin c just doesn’t do it for me), so I was impressed. I would only recommend this if you’re struggling to find a discoloration correcting serum that works. → $173-$225 for 50ml at Stylevana, MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, Sasa, b-glowing, Sephora Save your money, passR.N.A.POWER Eye Cream A nice creamy eye cream, it’s rich without being too heavy, so you don’t have to worry about milia. It does keep the eye area hydrated and fine lines at bay, but….so do other eye creams that are more affordable. → $89-$135 for 14.5ml at MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, Sasa, b-glowing, Sephora Facial Treatment Sheet Mask Nicknamed the “ex-boyfriend mask”, I’m assuming because it makes you look so good your ex will regret breaking up with you? This is essentially the FTE in a sheet mask form, and but ugh. The mask material is super thick, doesn’t fit well, and honestly I noticed zero difference after using it. None. I get better results with a dollar sheet mask! → $108-$135 for 10 masks at MyHuo, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, b-glowing, Sephora R.N.A.POWER Radical New Age Cream So this is like the Airy Milky Lotion, but heavier and richer. The texture isn’t uncomfortable, but it’s definitely for dry skin types. Result wise it’s err, moisturizing, and that’s it? Which is pretty disappointing for the price. → $129-$230 for 80ml at MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, Sasa, b-glowing, Sephora R.N.A.POWER Essence Serum I’m starting to think the R.N.A.POWER Line is might not agree with me, because this serum definitely didn’t. Not that it broke me out or anything, but I saw no results after finishing the bottle either. So sad. → $144-$195 for 50ml at MyHuo, Alaso, Yesstyle, Cosme-De, Sasa, b-glowing, Sephora Best places to buy SK-II productsNow if you’re ready to splurge, don’t just buy them from Sephora or any department store, otherwise you’re overpaying. Here is the list of retailers I recommend, from cheapest to most expensive:
For the online retailers I’m also listing their prices of the First Treatment Essence for comparison: MyHuoTaiwanese retailer. I’ve ordered here before and highly recommend them for their great prices and free worldwide + expedited shipping on orders $100+. The site is in Chinese, so you might need Google Translator.$25.23 for 50mlStylevanaFree shipping and carries a HUGE variety of Asian beauty products. Prices are usually fantastic, though shipping can be slow. Get an extra 10% off with code SHOPJENNY!$155.99 for 250mlAlasoTaiwanese retailer. Very similar to MyHuo, with free worldwide + expedited shipping on orders $100+.$64 fo 75mlYesStyleHong Kong retailer, but with warehouses worldwide and free shipping for orders $35+. Currently SK-II products are 20+% off, plus get an extra 5% off with code G2GQ7K.$64.88 for 75mlCosme-DeHong Kong retailer. Free worldwide shipping on orders $79+, $140+ for Canada, but can be slow. Often has extra discount codes.$67 for 75mlSasaA reputable Hong Kong beauty retailer with free worldwide shipping on orders $75+. I’ve ordered here before multiple times.$180 for 230mlb-glowingFrequently has sales from 20% – 30% off, generous GWP, and free shipping for orders $75+. Currently you can get 30% off orders $600+ with code STOCKUP30 and get a gift set worth $250 with orders $200+$69.3+tax for 75ml (sale price)SephoraGreat return policy, and you’ll be on your way to VIB or even Rouge in no time with a few SK-II products. Purchase during their VIB sale for 15-20% off.$79.3+tax for 75ml (sale price) SK-II is often excluded from department store sales but occasionally Saks and Neiman Marcus will have gift card events that equate to around 25-30% off, which is pretty good if you’re already a frequent shopper there. How much does SK II Essence cost?Even better, The Giving Essence is sold in a 3.38-oz. bottle for half the price of SK-II’s 2.5-oz. size ($99). COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence: Formulated with a whopping 95% galactomyces ferment filtrate, this COSRX essence ($25) contains nearly identical ingredients to SK-II’s essence at a quarter of the price. Does the SKAlthough this cult-favorite product is on the pricier side, the SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Essence formula hydrates, softens, evens skin tone, and overall fulfills the brand’s promise of crystal clear skin. We put the SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Essence to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. What is SKSK-II is a Japanese brand of luxury skin care products that has an interesting beginning. Back in the 1970s, SK-II scientists began searching for natural ingredients that would “make beautiful skin a reality for every woman.” After researching numerous possibilities, the ideal ingredient still eluded them. Does SKSK-II claims that their essence will help your skin look and feel even brighter within 28 days, so I’ll be continuing my use of this product to see the results for myself. As a luxury brand with a highly secretive formulation and cult-following, it makes sense that the price point for this “miracle” product is high. How do you use SKUsing the tips of your fingers, gently smooth a pearl-sized amount onto nose, face and neck until thoroughly absorbed. Avoid the eye area. Use nightly after toner. Why is SKControversies in China and South Korea In September 2006, traces of neodymium and chromium were found in SK-II products sold in China. Both are banned in cosmetics, and can cause allergic dermatitis and eczema. Why is SKThere is a good reason for that – it's the formulation that's unique as well the ingredients. SK -II is the only company to use Pitera as an ingredient to create this iconic product. What exactly is Pitera? Playfully referred to as “Miracle Water” in Asia, it comes with a bucketload of beauty benefits. Does SK- It did cause me to purge for about a week. I'm not what you would necessarily call acne prone (when I'm not taking infertility meds) so just a warning if you are acne prone. But all apart of the process! 4 out of 5 stars. |
