SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence for oily skin
Nicotinamide W
D-Pantothenyl Alcohol
L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Sk-Ii Pitera Concentrate
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin, this essence utilizes Nicotinamide W and L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside to effectively control sebum and brighten your complexion, addressing your main goal of oily shine.
- The inclusion of D-Pantothenyl Alcohol and Sk-Ii Pitera Concentrate further supports skin hydration and barrier function, enhancing overall skin health.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis essence is highly praised for its hydrating and lightweight texture, providing a radiant glow and improving skin texture for normal and combination skin types. While it effectively brightens the complexion, some users note it is less potent for deep hyperpigmentation compared to previous versions. The high price is a significant concern for many.
Highlights
Very high price Mostly Mentioned
- “Really just too expensive.”
- “Price is wickedly high.”
- “Cost-per-result ratio is hard to defend.”
Improves radiance Often Mentioned
- “My skin is glowing now.”
- “Complexion is definitely more radiant.”
- “Delivers a beautiful, luminous glow.”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs into the skin quickly.”
- “Offers a good balance, leaving skin moisturized.”
- “Clear emulsion-like texture is perfect.”
Convenient packaging Sometimes Noted
- “Pump dispenser is convenient.”
- “Auto-fill dropper dispenses precise amount.”
- “Bottle design is so pretty.”
Even skin tone Sometimes Noted
- “My skin appeared more even toned.”
- “Texture of my skin looks more even.”
- “Helps fade uneven pigmentation.”
Less effective brightening Sometimes Noted
- “Wasn't as effective at fading dark spots.”
- “Did not make much of a difference.”
- “Apart from moisturizing, benefits aren't impressive.”
Contains sensitizers Rarely Noted
- “Contains fragrance, methylparaben, and benzyl alcohol.”
- “Phenoxyethanol and methylparaben are disappointing.”
Sources: lovi.care, dermapproved.com, singaporebeautyproducts.com, vogue.sg, plusizekitten.com, sephora.sg, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence a great fit for oily skin?
This essence is a great fit for oily skin because it uses Nicotinamide W and L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside to control shine and brighten your complexion. D-Pantothenyl Alcohol and SK-II Pitera Concentrate also help hydrate your skin and support its barrier. Its safety profile is excellent, as it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes soothing components so it is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
This serum is a great fit for oily skin because it uses Nicotinamide W and L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside to control shine and brighten your complexion. It also includes D-Pantothenyl Alcohol and Sk-II Pitera Concentrate to keep your skin hydrated and support your skin barrier.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps control oily skin by reducing how much oil your face makes throughout the day. It also improves skin brightness and helps keep pores clear while maintaining a balanced, healthy feel.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
What does Panthenol do for oily skin?
Panthenol helps regulate sebum and reduce redness for oily skin while keeping it hydrated. It is very well tolerated and is unlikely to cause adverse reactions across oily skin types.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps it simple and safe around sun exposure. Its soothing ingredients and lack of harsh components make it unlikely to cause irritation.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with retinol by applying this treatment first and following with your retinol product, or by alternating nights if your skin feels sensitive. This helps manage oily shine while keeping your skin calm, as the soothing components and strong safety profile make irritation unlikely.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is a great fit for oily skin, utilizing ingredients that help control shine and brighten your complexion while supporting skin hydration.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This essence is a great fit for oily skin and is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging. Its formula controls shine and supports skin health with a very safe profile that avoids harsh ingredients.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
What the research says
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Treatment with ascorbyl glucoside-arginine complex lotion significantly decreased pigmentation scores and melanin index while increasing lightness in solar lentigos of Japanese females compared to placebo over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside combined with laser gingival depigmentation reduced pigmentation recurrence and increased patient satisfaction at nine months in 20 participants with physiologic gingival hyperpigmentation compared to laser depigmentation alone.
Cureus, 2026Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside at 1.8% showed similar protective effects against oxidative stress compared to 15% ascorbic acid in human skin models despite a lower concentration, and demonstrated superior chemical stability.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2021Topical application of undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% significantly lightened solar lentigines on the hands compared to vehicle control in 30 patients, with moderate to marked improvement and minimal side-effects.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2010Nanostructured lipid carriers efficiently deliver undecylenoyl phenylalanine into the skin with higher accumulation and sustained release compared to emulsion and ethanol formulations, showing promise for topical treatment of hyperpigmentation.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2023Solid lipid nanoparticles containing Undecylenoyl phenylalanine achieved enhanced cutaneous uptake, spherical morphology with a particle size of 218.6 nm, and an entrapment efficiency of 87.31% while successfully inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme to stop melanogenesis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Saccharomycopsis 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
Ingredients
Nicotinamide W, D-Pantothenyl Alcohol, Sk-Ii Pitera Concentrate, L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Inosit, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Chilicit, Sucrose Fatty Acid Ester, Concentrated Glycerin, Glyceryl Triethylhexanoate, Peg1540, Lauroyl Di Phytosteryl Octyldodecyl Glutamate, Crosslinked Silicone Reticulated Silicone Block Copolymer, Boron Nitride, Titanium Mica, Tri Caprylic Capric Acid Glyceryl, Poe Sorbitan Laurate, Bg, Acrylic Acid Methacryl Acid Alkyl Copolymer, Yellow Fe Oxide, Methylhydrogenpolysiloxane, Polyacrylamide, Plasma-Fluid Isoparaffin, Poe Lauryl Ether, Amp, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Edetate, Benzoin Acid Salts, Parabens, Water
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
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