SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for dry skin
Pitera
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Butylene Glycol
Pentylene Glycol
Sodium Benzoate
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your dry skin as Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate provides excellent humectant action to draw water into the skin, addressing dryness and flakiness effectively.
- The formulation also includes soothing ingredients like Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, which contribute to overall skin hydration and texture smoothing.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use .
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 12.0k+ reviewsThis essence is widely praised for refining skin texture and creating a radiant glow, with many users considering it a holy grail for anti-aging and hydration. However, a notable number of users find the high price point difficult to justify and some report experiencing irritation or breakouts, possibly due to the fermentation process. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should be definitely taken into account.
Highlights
Improves texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels soft as butter”
- “bumps and roughness disappeared”
- “texture is refined and smooth”
- “makeup applies flawlessly now”
Radiance and glow Mostly Mentioned
- “gives a glass skin look”
- “lit from within glow”
- “skin looks translucent”
- “brightness restored to dull skin”
Exorbitant price Mostly Mentioned
- “way too expensive”
- “hard to justify the cost”
- “wallet hurts every time”
- “luxury price for just water”
Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
- “drinks right into the skin”
- “feels like water”
- “no sticky residue”
- “absorbs instantly”
Unpleasant scent Often Mentioned
- “smells like dirty feet”
- “has a yeasty saliva scent”
- “weird sour smell”
- “stinks but fades quickly”
Balances and hydrates Sometimes Noted
- “balanced my oily T-zone”
- “hydration without heaviness”
- “skin feels plump and quenched”
- “restored moisture barrier”
Lack of results Sometimes Noted
- “did absolutely nothing”
- “just expensive water”
- “no change after finishing the bottle”
- “overhyped marketing”
Breakouts/Purging Rarely Noted
- “caused tiny red bumps”
- “triggered fungal acne”
- “broke me out immediately”
- “skin did not react well”
Sources: lovi.care, sk-ii.com, influenster.com, macys.com, bloomingdales.com, sephora.sg, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SK-II Facial Treatment Essence a great fit for dry skin?
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is a great fit for dry skin because Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate draws water into your skin to effectively tackle dryness and flakiness. This ingredient also helps smooth your skin texture while keeping the formula very safe and gentle without harsh irritants.
Which ingredients make this essence a good fit for dry skin?
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate makes this essence a great fit for dry skin by drawing moisture in to tackle dryness and flakiness. It also helps smooth texture and keep skin hydrated without any harsh ingredients.
What does Pitera do for dry skin?
Pitera helps dry skin by boosting hydration and strengthening the skin barrier to lock in moisture. It supports healthy skin cells and calms irritation, which keeps your face feeling soft and smooth.
What does Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate do for dry skin?
Galactomyces ferment filtrate helps dry skin by significantly increasing skin hydration and improving roughness. It also supports your skin barrier to keep it soft and smooth.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021
Where does this essence go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This essence goes in your evening routine right after cleansing and before moisturizing. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps draw water into dry skin to keep it smooth.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023
Can I use this essence with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this essence with retinol by applying the essence first to draw in water and smooth your skin, followed by your retinol once it absorbs. This routine is unlikely to cause irritation because the formula has a very safe profile without harsh ingredients.
How often should I use this essence?
This essence is a great fit for your dry skin and is used in the evening as part of your routine. Daily application helps draw water into the skin to address dryness and flakiness while smoothing texture.
Can this essence clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This essence is unlikely to cause breakouts or clogged pores on dry skin because it has a very low risk of irritation and features soothing ingredients. It draws water into your skin to help smooth texture without heavy oils that usually block pores.
Can I use this essence around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this essence on the thin skin around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation. It helps draw water into dry skin and smooths texture across different body areas.
What the research says
Daily application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate-containing skin products for 12 months significantly and cumulatively reversed 11-year facial skin aging parameters of wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, and roughness, and increased skin hydration in 86 female volunteers.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023Application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate skin care formula significantly reduced the net values and daily fluctuation of facial pore area, roughness, and redness in young Japanese women.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Saccharomycopsis Ferment Filtrate inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production and iNOS protein expression in RAW264.7 macrophages and protects artificial epidermis against lipopolysaccharide- or ultraviolet radiation-induced damages.
Journal of Dermatological Science, 2006A combination serum containing galactomyces ferment filtrate, dexpanthenol, and Centella asiatica effectively treated post-acne hyperpigmentation in subjects with colored skin by significantly increasing lightness scores in Fitzpatrick skin type V and reducing the melanin index in Fitzpatrick skin type IV compared to placebo.
Skinmed, 2021Galactomyces ferment filtrate promotes epidermal interconnectivity, barrier development, cell adhesion, keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, and protects cellular bioenergetics against stress in keratinocytes and ex vivo skin explants compared to untreated controls.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Galactomyces ferment filtrate activates AHR and NRF2, upregulates filaggrin and terminal differentiation markers, exhibits antioxidative activity, promotes antiinflammatory IL-37, and downregulates CDKN2A, IL-33, CXCL14, and IL6R in epidermal keratinocytes.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022Exposure of epidermal full-thickness skin equivalents to a blend of betaine, pentylene glycol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Rhodiola rosea root extract significantly increased antioxidant, skin barrier, and oxidative stress biomarkers while reducing the negative impact of hydrogen peroxide on MMP3, MMP12, FBN2, ANXA1, and HGF, whereas a blend of Narcissus tazetta bulb extract and Schisandra chinensis fruit extract significantly increased 8 growth factors, 7 signaling, 7 structural/barrier function, 7 oxidative stress biomarkers, and specific microRNAs over control levels.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018Topical application of caffeine sodium benzoate and caffeine provided a sunscreen effect, enhanced UVB-induced apoptosis, and inhibited skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice compared to untreated controls.
Carcinogenesis, 2007
Ingredients
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Benzoate, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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