SK-II FACIAL TREATMENT ESSENCE

I’ve recently started using the SK-II facial treatment essence again after a few years because it is now lighter on the pocket. And also because my skin is more mature and would require as much help as it needs! The essence is so light (perfect for our hot and humid weather) and absorbs so easily into the skin. There is a glow after I’ve applied it and my skin feels so supple. Though it is pricey, it is definitely a quintessential part of my skincare routine, especially as I get older.

The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is a watery essence which can be used as a first step after cleansing. It contains Pitera which is a fermented ingredient from the fermentation of rice. It is a clear liquid. There is indeed a smell, it took me a short while to adjust to it, now I hardly notice it any more. I would say it smells like smelly socks! It’s very gentle and soothing for me. I didn’t experience any break outs or other issues. In fact I had some hormonal acne on my jaw and it helped to clear them up. I try to use it almost every night. But if I don’t use it I’m also not fussed. I fully believe in the effects of fermented ingredients on the skin. I started out with the starter kit which was $100 plus and I think it was a pretty good deal. It would make a good present for those who wanted to give it a try too. Ingredients: Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (PITERA™), Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Benzoate, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid.

LOVE IT & CAN NEVER LEAVE IT FROM MY SKINCARE ROUTINE! It is easily absorbed into the skin and it helps to balance the redness and dullness on my face. My complexion have greatly improved since the start of my usage, and it give a 'glow from within' effect. I have tried replacing it with other more affordable options, however none could provide/maintain the same effect. I find that it is more effective when I use a toner first, then just pat a few drop of the pitera essence (without cotton pad) on the face directly. Some people might be put off by the smell, as it smells like fermentation gone wrong. However, the smell dissipate quickly and it doesn't linger on your face I secretly used my mum's when I was 16 years old, however back then after the first use my skin started to peel the next few days, I swear that I will never use it again. It is only when I was 24, my friend pulled me to do the skin analysis in one of their road show and found out that my skin was dehydrated and it was losing elasticity. I also shared my past peeling reaction with the consultant, apparently some people with sensitive skin would get the same reactions, but the peeling would only last a few days. So I gotten the trial pack back then, I could see that my skin have gotten hydrated and supple within a month without any peeling at all. Now, I can never leave it out from my skin care routine.

The essence (water-like liquid) is lightly textured, no fragrance neither alcohol, pure natural. It allows the essence to be easily absorbed into the skin and leaves it feeling very soothed and refreshed. It does help with refining the texture of my skin, but I feel that my skin needs more hydration than usual so I do not skip my SKI-II moisturizer. I had a major breakout the first time I used this a couple of years back and I did not stop from there. My dermatologist advised me that my skin had reacted to the essence and what it actually did was became like a "vacuum-cleaner" on my skin. Sweep away all the dirt (innermost dirt!) and then after a week, my skin was much better..supple and glowing. Like a newborn kid's skin.

As some are put off by the smell, (I was at first too), it hindered them from trying this one out. Can't blame 'em! It smells like a rotten _____? Can't decipher the exact word (yet) to fill in the blank but with my experience, I guess am immune to it?! The 'rotten' smell doesn't stick to my face and immediately dissipates, Oh Thank God.

Contrary to popular belief that this brand is solely for matured women, think again. I started using this when I reached 25 and firmly believes that it made a good job in giving me a healthy skin. For the record, I dropped using toners and focused on this bottle. The FTE already gives me that skin conditioning I needed especially at night. You only need a few drops so the bottle would last you for a long time.

Literally never in my entire life have I come across a product that has made such a brisk and immediate improvement in my skin. It just made my skin lucid, hydrated and luminous.

Perhaps i was expecting too much since the price is high and it has been highly raved by many. I have combination/dry skin. After using for a few months, i havent seen much changes. I did continue my usul moisturiser and exfoliating products so i would think the product would have absorbed well. I concluded that this product felt like another toner that doesn't smell very nice.