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SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

One of the best moisturizers for combination skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 combination skin as galactomyces ferment filtrate balances hydration and provides antioxidant activity to combat oily shine.
  • This ingredient also offers moderate benefits for smoothing texture and general skincare.
  • The formula is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
  • Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 12.0k+ reviews

This 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 combination skin?

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is a great fit for your combination skin because galactomyces ferment filtrate balances hydration and helps combat oily shine while smoothing texture. The formula is also safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023

Which ingredients make this essence a good fit for combination skin?

Galactomyces ferment filtrate is the key ingredient that makes this essence a great fit, as it balances hydration and fights oily shine. It also helps smooth out rough texture and supports overall skin health with antioxidants.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023

What does Pitera do for combination skin?

Pitera helps balance combination skin by boosting hydration, smoothing out rough areas, and calming irritation. Daily use may also improve skin texture and reduce the look of uneven tone over time.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022

What does Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate do for combination skin?

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate helps smooth rough patches, balance oily and dry areas, and calm redness on combination skin. Daily use may also keep pores looking clear and improve skin hydration over time.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023

Where does this essence go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This essence goes in your evening routine after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. Treatments like this are placed in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.

Can I use this essence with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this essence with retinol by applying the essence first and the retinol after it dries. Using a gentle hydrating formula like this helps keep your skin balanced and is unlikely to cause irritation when paired with active treatments.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this essence?

Use this essence in your evening routine. Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate helps balance hydration and smooth texture while keeping oily shine under control.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023

Can this essence clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This essence is unlikely to cause breakouts or clogged pores on combination skin, as it has a very low likelihood of causing these issues according to user reviews. The formula balances hydration and helps control oily shine without heavy ingredients.

Can I use this essence around the eyes or on my body?

Yes, you can use this essence on the thin skin around the eyes and on the body because its gentle formula is safe and well-tolerated. The skin on the body and around the eyes varies in thickness, but this moisturizing treatment helps balance hydration and smooth texture safely anywhere you apply it.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021

What the research says

  • Application 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, 2021

  • 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, 2023

  • Saccharomycopsis 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, 2006

  • A 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, 2021

  • Galactomyces 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, 2024

  • Galactomyces 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, 2022

  • Exposure 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, 2018

  • Topical 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

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