Imagine my excitement when I found out my “Skin Age” was equivalent to that of a 20-year-old when I took SK-II’s Magic Ring Test. Phew! That’s a 6-year difference – I know I’m only 26, so why am I worried about my “Skin Age”? Well, because it is important to start taking care of your skin starting from your early 20s! But if you haven’t, this post will be useful for you. The SK-II Pitera Essence has been one of the regular go-to’s on my beauty shelf and in this post I will share with you my review: how it works and why it is worth it!
Left: 7 Days Before my week-long FTE regimen | Right: 7 Days After my week-long FTE regimen
What does SK-II contain and how does it work?
My skincare concerns are sunspots and dark eye circles. As you already know, I love soaking up nature’s vitamin D, although UV rays have made their mark on my skin with freckles! Some of my friends love my freckles because they are unique. But greater sun exposure darkens freckles over time and can cause uneven skin tone! Just look at the image before I used the SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Essence (FTE). My sunspots were clearly visible and my skin had a dull appearance, which further accentuated my dark under-eye circles. Not cool.
I love the FTE because it prevents the formation of spots, thanks to the high concentration of Pitera in the essence. Pitera is SK-II’s signature ingredient; its story begins in a sake brewery in Japan, where it was noticed that the master brewer had far more youthful-looking hands compared to his wrinkled face. This led to the birth of Pitera, which is derived from a special yeast strain exclusive to SK-II. The extract that is packed with vitamins, minerals, organic and amino acids to condition the skin’s natural functions. It also activates the anti-oxidation process in your skin, which helps to restore and boost hydration levels for a crystal clear complexion!
Though I was introduced to the product about five years ago, my hectic work schedule saw me using it less diligently than I should and only when I needed quick fixes. (Sorry! I need to try little harder!) After using FTE consistently for a week, I have received compliments on how radiant I look, even when bare-faced. It is not an overnight miracle, but seven days with the FTE surely made a difference. I’m sure the brightening effects will be even more significant if I used the product on daily basis, so I’m going to maintain this momentum!
SK-II and Acne:
I had a bout of adult acne when I was 22 and I sought help from a dermatologist to control the situation. For those who are acne-prone, it is best if you look at products that target and provide specific acne treatment. Thereafter, once your acne condition stabilizes, I would recommend you use SK-II as it is a great way of maintaining your skin’s radiance. Dermatological research have also proved that frequent use of the FTE decreases the frequencies of outbreaks — so that’s really a miracle product! If you have sensitive skin or are concerned about how your skin may react to the FTE, ask your friendly SK-II skincare consultants for samples, or purchase a Pitera Welcome Set (you will receive a 75ml FTE together with a complimentary toner and moisturizer). You can also speak to the skincare consultants about your skincare concerns. Easy does it!
How do we apply SK-II’s Pitera Essence?
Before you apply the FTE, you should use your cleanser and toner.
1. Pour 2-3 drops of the essence onto your hand, or palm if you prefer.
To me, the essence has a similar texture to water. It trickles really quickly from the bottle, so be gentle when you tilt it!
2. Gently smooth the essence over your face and neck for a minute to ensure even coverage.
3. Pat softly on your face, neck and décolletage until the essence is absorbed.
If you have a serum or moisturizer, you may put it on after the FTE.
SK-II Magic Ring Test
The Magic Ring Test is a skin diagnostic tool that measures 5 dimensions of your skin, believed to be the factors that make up crystal clear skin: texture refinement, firmness power, wrinkle resilience, spot control and radiance enhancement. Using a high-definition photo combined with science and technology, the Magic Ring scans and runs a detailed analysis of your skin in the blink of an eye, even if you have make-up on! You can always return to the SK-II store to measure the improvement of your skin’s performance after using the FTE. As mentioned earlier, my skin age is 20! My only weak area was spot control, and I was advised to use the Whitening Spot Specialist Concentrate to improve my skin. That was specific advice which I found really helpful!
Is SK-II worth it?
Yes! SK-II invited me to give the SK-II Pitera Essence an honest review, and very generously gifted me with a bottle. While external skin stressors like pollutants and infrared rays are inevitable, you can always do something to combat the effects of aging with SK-II, just like I have. For further information, or if you’d like to get your hands on a bottle of FTE yourself, head over to their website or the nearest SK-II store to speak to their Skincare Consultants for a healthier and happier you. If you’re traveling, head to any SK-II Duty-Free counters at any major airport! Though the essence has a higher price tag than most essences (a 230ml bottle costs SGD $269), the results will convince you why it is more than worth it. Trust me when I say the SK-II Pitera Essence is like the elixir of youth – your skin age will dip, and you can be forever young!
To know more about my beauty regime, you can read past articles here and here!
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This article was last updated in April 2020.
Love,
Drea
