2 things I learned as an adult is that good cheese and good skincare is expensive. And you shouldn’t skimp on either. Oh, and always wear sunscreen. So, 3 things.
You guys have seen me at my best, and over this past year, my very worst. As I get older, it’s like my skin goes through an identity crisis. One day it’s dewy and blemish-free. And the next it’s like I’m 15 all over again.
And if there’s anything I’ve learned about skincare it’s that less is more. This past year I made a very conscious effort to focus on the main power ingredients in my skincare and less on filler ingredients, which may not be all that effective. So rather than layering on multiple serums, lotions, and oils, I selected multi-tasking products that are incredibly effective to achieve my skin-care goals.
Introducing Essences Into My Skincare
One of the products I love and that I feel has made a big difference in my skin has been SK-II’s PITERA™ Essence. Now on my second bottle, I’m wondering why I didn’t learn about essences sooner. In fact, I was overseas when I learned about the brand and bought my first bottle during my travels. And one of the first things I noticed after a week or 2 of use was how clear and soft my skin was becoming.
Essences are ingredient-forward, hydrating formulas that offer a multitude of skin benefits. They’re highly concentrated active-containing liquids, which are lighter than serums and absorbed into the skin faster.
I recently had a call with the SK-II team and one of the things they taught me is that Pitera is used exclusively for SK-II and has so many benefits. It helps signal your skin to start renewing your skin cells for more radiance, it helps reduce and prevent the formation of dark spots caused by sun damage (I didn’t do much of the sunscreen thing until my 20’s) and it also helps improve the texture of your skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and give your skin tons of hydration leaving it supple and radiant.
I totally credit it for my glow!
I loved it way before I learned all that and it really just supported what I have experienced since introducing it into my skincare routine.
A Proprietary Essence
Each bottle contains 90% PITERA™ that is made exclusively in Japan for SK-II. And the discovery of Pitera is an interesting story, too: Back in the 70s, SK-II scientists in Japan noticed a discrepancy between the hands and faces of sake-brewers. While their faces had aged normally, their hands remained smooth and soft in appearance. Intensive searches began out of millions of yeast strains and studies were conducted on hundreds of fermentation conditions.
And after years of research on 350 unique yeast strains, the SK-II scientists discovered Pitera! It also contains over 50 micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and natural acids to help condition your skin!
How I Use This In My Skincare Routine
I use the Essence morning and night. At night, I use it after I cleanse my skin but before I put on my moisturizer. I start by pouring about a quarter-size amount onto my palm and pressing my hands together to spread around.
I’m sure you’ve heard this before but it’s just as important to use skincare on your décolletage as it is on your neck and face. So I press my hands to my chin, cheeks, and other areas of my face. And then I continue down my neck and onto my chest, patting the Essence into my skin until it’s fully absorbed. I take 1-2 minutes to complete this whole process.
In the morning, I simply rinse my face and pat it dry. And after it’s dry I apply the Essence once more before I apply my moisturizer and makeup.
And I’m done! It’s easily the simplest step in my skincare. And it’s a powerhouse in a bottle and has convinced me of the efficacy of products with powerhouse ingredients! It’s the one product I know I couldn’t live without and might be the solution you’ve been searching for if smoother, brighter, and more hydrated skin is your goal!
You can snag Sk-II’s PITERA™ Essence at Sephora now during their Spring Savings Event! And once you’ve used it, come check in here and tell me what you think! A big thanks to SK-II for sponsoring this post.
Xx Tara
