Monday, April 25, 2016

Influenster: SK-II

Influenster sent me these products free for reviewing and testing purposes. 


This has to be one of the most anticipated Influenster programs I have been a part of recently. SK-II is a high end skin care regime that is produced in Japan. I was sent one Facial Treatment Mask and one bottle of Facial Treatment Essence. 

The one ounce bottle of Facial Treatment Essence has the consistency of water, but once on the face does not feel like plain water. I patted this onto my skin after washing my face at night, let it absorb and then applied my regular skincare. It dries quickly. The main ingredient is Pitera (a natural by-product of yeast fermentation) which is said to be full of vitamins, amino acids, minerals and organic acids. After two weeks of use I do feel like my skin is clearer than normal for being during that cycle of PMS when my face usually breaks out like a newly hatched teenager. I have noticed some clarity as well. It purports to smooth skin, replenish moisture, moderate skin renewal and penetrate better than a cream. A 2.5 ounce bottle runs $99.00. 

The mask is soaked in Pitera to provide a radiant and crystal clear complexion. I found the cotton to be too thick, it would not stay on my face like the thin face masks I am used to wearing. I had to lay down while wearing it, or it simply fell off, which was strange since there was so much serum soaked into it. I had enough left in the pouch for 5 more applications directly to my face. I did not achieve a  crystal clear complexion but it felt nice and my skin was in better condition. The serum was slippery like aloe and dried to a tacky, tight texture. Ten masks are sold for $135.00. 

Overall, I would not purchase the face masks, as I find very similar results from My Beauty Diary with a mask I can wear around the house and not strictly lying down and a box of ten usually runs me $15.00. I would however, consider buying the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. It feels amazing on the skin and does show more of an impact on my skin than the mask did. At $100 for 2.5 ounces it is a bit steep, but I have paid that much for two lipsticks in the past and this gives me much more long term satisfaction I think. At 35, I am definitely thinking more long-term for my skin care and not so much on the next hot shade of pink. It seems to last a while too. I have been pouring it into my hands and slathering it on and still have only used 1/4 of the one ounce bottle. (I won't tell you how much of that ended up in the sink). If I conserve I am sure I will make it stretch even farther. 

Have you tried SK-II products? Thoughts?



8 comments:

  1. What a great Influenster! I've been hearing about essence regularly now, first through the Asian skincare youtubes and now it is slowing creeping to the beauty sections of Nordstroms and the like. I'm glad that you like the SK-II version, although the price (wow!). But Cate Blanchett though...

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    1. Are the other brand essences using yeast by-products? SK-II seems to be secretive of the Pitera ingredient. I am wanting to try sleep packs too. Innisfree has some in the green tea formula I like but I have just got gotten around to buying it. Funny you mentioned Cate. I was tempted to because I love her. So beautiful and Galadriel. But I hesitated. Celebrity endorsements don't usually sway me but the only one that would might be hers.

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  2. My friend used to split a box of the masks with her sister when they were still $10 each, and passed a couple my way. There's absolutely enough goop in the packed to reuse 2 or 3 times! But no, didn't make enough of a difference on my face to justify the price.

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    1. That was nice of her! I love the extra goop. Makes me feel like I am getting my money's worth lol! I agree. My much cheaper masks produce the same results.

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  3. My mother and all her friends adore SKII products. It's really one of the biggest skincare brands in Asia. One thing about the mask may be that it's made for Asian face shapes, that's why it's not fitting properly? (P/S: feels good to be commenting again!)

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    1. Hello friend! I remember seeing them on a lot of counters in Tokyo. I can see why, it feels like good stuff.

      It is the sheer weight and thickness of the mask. I use only Asian masks and have to snip the various holes to make them fit anyway but the thinness keeps them on my face. This felt like a wet washcloth instead of a wet napkin or tissue paper.

      So glad to see you around these parts! <3 You started my Asian skincare love with those Innisfree samples <3

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  4. I'm partial to the Shiseido Eudermine essence, I haven't tried SKII yet but I need too! Also I've tried the Time Revolution essence by Missha but wasn't keen on it.

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    1. Shiseido has amazing products. I will have to sample that one. Missha can be hit or miss for sure. Any other skin care you are loving??

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