SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Review: How to use the Pitera Essence

My Mother, sister and I have been users of SK-II ever since my Dad bought Mom a bottle of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for Christmas gift about 7 years ago. I remember how excited we were to open the Miracle Water bottle and we sisters insisted to share it with Mommy cause of all the goodness we have heard about it.

I had been sharing a bottle with the 2 other women in the house for the past 7 years before I got married and moved out. We even had a system in place - we took turns to replenish a bottle when it ran out!

So you can imagine my excitement when the brand I've been using for years approached me and gave me a new bottle of the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence to do a review on how it works. Since I have already been a user, I thought it was a great opportunity to share how it has been working on my skin, how I use it and exactly why everyone loves it!

So first things first, I’m sure many of you are wondering what exactly is an essence?

What is an Essence?

Essences are lightweight and less concentrated as compared to serums. Specifically targets wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin tones. Essences are generally used after a toner and before a moisturizer to add another layer of hydration.

You may now ask what about ampoule? Is it the same? Ampoules do belong to the same family as essences and serums. However, an ampoule is a serum with higher concentration of active ingredients. As ampoules are rich, it is more for suitable on days where the skin needs more help. The texture of both are definitely different too. Essences are less sticky and absorbs very quickly, deeply penetrating into the skin.

Now, did you know about the signature ingredient that makes up more than 90% of the Facial Treatment Essence? It's PITERA™. This ingredient's story begins in a sake brewery in Japan, where it was discovered that an old brewer had uncharacteristically youthful-looking hands compared to his wrinkled face.

That's how PITERA™ was derived from a special yeast strain exclusive to SK-II, and has made the Pitera Essence SK-II's most awarded bestseller - thanks to how it's packed with amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to skin health!

How to use?

My skincare regime with the Facial Treatment Essence is simple. First, I cleanse my face. Then, I put about a 50 cent coin of Facial Treatment Essence on my palm and pat it all around my face. Starting with my cheeks, nose, forehead, chin and lastly my neck. Some people prefer to use a cotton pad to go over the face but I personally prefer to use clean hands. After the essence is applied, I complete my skincare regime with a moisturizer. I repeat the same regime Day and Night!




The essence penetrates quickly into my skin, leaving it soft and non-sticky- something very important to me when I choose my skincare products. The key ingredient in the Facial Treatment Essence, Pitera, contains components that are similar to natural moisturizing factors found in healthy skin! This allows for deep hydration, allowing skin to radiate.

Is it suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin?

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. I can say so because I've pretty sensitive skin and I’ve been using it for years. However, there is a small percentage of normal and sensitive skin users who had experienced allergic reactions because of the natural ingredients in the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. If you have sensitive skin, do check with your dermatologist first before using!

In conclusion