SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for oily acne-prone skin
Pitera
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Butylene Glycol
Pentylene Glycol
Sodium Benzoate
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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
- Offers moderate moisturizing and texture smoothing for your oily skin, as Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate provides hydration and some humectant action.
- This formulation offers moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, though it lacks strong seboregulating ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
- Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
- Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple 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
How well does SK-II Facial Treatment Essence work for oily acne-prone skin?
This product works moderately well for your oily acne-prone skin, providing balanced hydration and smoothing texture without causing irritation, though it lacks strong oil-control ingredients. An ideal product of this type for your skin needs effective hydrating ingredients, oil-regulating components like Niacinamide, and soothing elements like Allantoin to maintain balance and manage breakouts.
Which ingredients make this essence a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate makes this essence a fit by providing hydration, smoothing texture, and helping calm breakouts. To work best for oily acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, Niacinamide to control oil and minimize pores, and soothing components like Allantoin without heavy oils.
What does Pitera do for oily acne-prone skin?
For oily acne-prone skin, Galactomyces ferment filtrate helps smooth rough skin, reduces redness, and keeps pores looking clearer throughout the day. It also helps calm irritation and evens out dark spots left behind by breakouts.
What does Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate do for oily acne-prone skin?
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate helps calm redness, smooth rough spots, and balance oily skin while keeping it hydrated. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and supports a clear, even look.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
It goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, as treatments with active ingredients are typically used then for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is very unlikely to irritate oily skin due to the soothing components and absence of harsh ingredients.
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, as this routine is very unlikely to cause irritation. To get the best results for oily acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs strong oil-controlling ingredients to manage breakouts alongside hydration.
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is unlikely to irritate oily skin, but this skin type needs stronger oil control ingredients to work best.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This product is unlikely to clog pores or cause irritation on oily acne-prone skin, as it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients. However, because it lacks strong oil-controlling ingredients, an oily and acne-prone skin type needs added oil control and blemish-fighting components for the best results.
Can I use this essence around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this essence around the eyes and on the body because it has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients that might cause irritation. While it provides moderate hydration and smoothness, caring for oily skin in these areas also needs targeted oil control and strong seboregulating ingredients.
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, 2021Daily 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, 2023A 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, 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, 2006Galactomyces 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, 2022Treatment of human keratinocytes with Galactomyces ferment filtrate consistently modulated 99 genes, upregulating barrier-related and wound healing genes such as CYP1A1, SPRR1A, SPRR1B, SERPINB2, CLDN1, and CLDN4, while downregulating inflammation-related genes such as CXCL14 and IL6R.
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
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
A Tris/Arg-formulated cleanser significantly decreased noninflammatory and inflammatory acne and pore size with keratotic plugs compared to an AEC/AC cleanser in male Thai subjects with mild to moderate acne over 4 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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