SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, $155/5oz @Saks Fifth Avenue, Blissworld.com, Sephora, Nordstrom.com (not all stores carry SK-II), SK-II.com, Bloomingdales.
The smallest 2.5 oz is $100. So with this, the bigger the bottle you purchase the cheaper it is. Goes all the way up to just over 11.5oz bottle for $275 (this one comes in a pump bottle - found on bloomingdales.com - here). Also known as FTE.
Initially I purchased it because I wanted something lightweight to add underneath moisturizer to help with hydration. With everything out there I'm not sure why I fixated on this particular product, but once I started reading and watching YouTube reviews I was super intrigued. Plus who doesn't want skin like Cate Blanchett's photoshopped SK-II ads?!!
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And yes, she is photoshopped like most ads and other magazine content these days. Take a look at the un-photoshopped cover below she did for Intelligent Life. Photoshopped or not though, I think Cate Blanchett is one of the most amazingly beautiful women in the world who has one of those milky, silky, pale-creamy complexions that most of us would be more than happy to have. I seriously adore her and her style!!
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The main ingredient in SK-II products is Pitera, an yeast developed from fermenting sake - observers noted that workers who handled the brewing had very soft and youthful looking hands. "Pitera contains Vitamins, Amino Acids, Minerals, Organic Acids and other ingredients such as polysaccarides and proteins." Facial Treatment Essence is over 90% pure Pitera. (sk-II.com)
In retrospect I think I should have started with the 2.5oz bottle, but at the time I reasoned I can get double the product for only $55 more. I say this because I'm really on the fence about this product. My skin has definitely not been worse for using this product, but I also don't think it has done anything notable enough the warrant the hefty price. Maybe. I don't know!!!
It very slightly helps with hydration levels without feeling like you are piling on a heavy product. It looks and feels like putting water on your skin. I can use this on my entire eye area, including lids with no irritation. It does make your skin velvety soft. I've also been putting in on my hands at night before applying cream, and in the morning my hands are super soft! FTE does not clog my pores, cause irritation or aggravate acne and other spots.
I have been decanting FTE into a smaller spray bottle and using it during the day as a face spray. It feels nice, refreshing and adds a touch of hydration. For travel and home use, I decant into a small dropper bottle and use around 8-10 drops for my face, neck and upper chest. I like the dropper bottle because I feel I have more control over the amount dispensed. It has a plastic top with a small hole that is easily removable for decanting. One very important note about applying this product as told to me by the SK-II salesgirl...do NOT pour it onto a cotton pad to apply otherwise you will waste too much!! Instead pour the drops directly into your cupped hand, barely rub it with your other hand and then gently pat all over. Do not rub.
I really have nothing bad to say about this product, though I do feel you would see the benefits more if you used several items of the SK-II line in conjunction with FTE. I still have a large sample bottle of the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion (which is more of a toner/treatment) to try and I would like to eventually like to try the Facial Treatment Cleanser and Eye Film. Unfortunately most of their moisturizers and serums I cannot use because they have clogging ingredients for me.
It's been just over three months of day/night use, and I'm not even finished with the bottle. So while costly, it does last a very long time. Maybe once I stop I'll miss it?? I'll have to update again then...and/or when I try other SK-II products with it. As of right now though, I think I can take it or leave it.
One thing I absolutely loved about the SK-II counter was that they had a facial mapping machine. It mapped current and potential sun damage, pore size, etc. Was interesting and highly informative!
**Edited to add: I forgot to mention how the FTE smells! I kept reading reviews that it smelled bad, rotten, too earthy, etc. I'm usually very sensitive to how a product smells and honestly I don't find this has enough of a scent to even be able to describe (though if I was forced, maybe I would say yeasty?). What minute smell I detect is gone within a few seconds, and never bothered me enough to make note. But everyone is different, so just be aware and maybe try to catch a whiff before purchasing!
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence ingredients:
Saccharomycopsis Ferment Filtrate (Pitera), Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Aqua (Water/ Eau), Sodium Benzoate, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid.