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Shop SK-II GenOptics Ultraura Essence Serum
Serum
SK-II

GenOptics Ultraura Essence Serum

~$265· 50ml
Dark spotsRadianceUneven texture

What it's good for

Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.

  • PiteraModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    SK-II's signature ingredient, a specific yeast filtrate that improves clarity and texture over time.

    Good for: Brightening, Hydrating

  • NiacinamideStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.

    Good for: Brightening, Barrier repair, Anti-inflammatory

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

PiteraModerate evidence4 citations

SK-II's signature ingredient, a specific yeast filtrate that improves clarity and texture over time.

Miyamoto K et al., Significant Reversal of Facial Wrinkle, Pigmented Spot and Roughness by Daily Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-Containing Skin Products for 12 Months—An 11-Year Longitudinal Skin Aging Rejuvenation Study, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2023;12(3):1168 — Pitera is SK-II's commercial name for GFF; this 11-year longitudinal study directly evaluates the same active

2023Positive (efficacy)PMID:36769815View source ↗

Nakajima H et al., Transcriptomic Analysis of Human Keratinocytes Treated with Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, a Beneficial Cosmetic Ingredient, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2022;11(16):4645 — GFF activates AhR/NRF2 antioxidant pathways while suppressing inflammatory transcripts

2022Mechanism onlyPMID:36012891View source ↗

Anwar AI et al., The effectiveness of Galactomyces ferment filtrate, dexpanthenol, and Centella asiatica combination serum in the treatment of post-acne hyperpigmentation in subjects with skin of color, Skinmed 2021;19(2):110-115 — Pitera is SK-II's commercial name for Galactomyces ferment filtrate; trial covers the same active

2021Positive (efficacy)PMID:33938432View source ↗
NiacinamideStrong evidence10 citations

A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.

Moro F et al., Skin Cancer Prevention and Antiaging: Role of Nicotinamide, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2026

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:42278444View source ↗

Passeron T et al., An Investigator-Blinded, Randomized Trial of a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Containing Sclareolide and Niacinamide, Dermatology and Therapy (Heidelberg) 2026

2026Positive (efficacy)PMID:41240206View source ↗

Vergilio MM et al., Topical Formulation with Niacinamide Combined with 5 MHz Ultrasound for Improving Skin Ageing, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2025

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:39171587View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.

Full ingredient list

Everything on the package label, not just the tracked actives above.

Drying alcohol freeSulfates free
  • Contains fragrance: Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum/​Fragrance, Limonene, CitronellolWorth knowing if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
  • Contains parabens: MethylparabenNo irritancy evidence. CIR rates this safe as used; some shoppers avoid it by preference.
  • Contains silicones: Vinyl Dimethicone/​Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, MethiconeNo irritancy evidence. CIR rates this safe as used; some shoppers avoid it by preference.
+Show all 40 ingredients

Listed in the order printed on the package. By regulation, ingredients at 1% or higher are listed in descending order by concentration, so the first entry is the largest part of the formula.

  1. Aqua/​Water/​Eau
  2. Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
  3. Butylene Glycol
  4. Niacinamide
  5. Vinyl Dimethicone/​Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
  6. Glycerin
  7. Triethylhexanoin
  8. Pentylene Glycol
  9. Phytosteryl/​Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
  10. PEG-32
  11. Boron Nitride
  12. Sucrose Laurate
  13. Xylitol
  14. Panthenol
  15. Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride
  16. Sucrose Dilaurate
  17. Inositol
  18. Acrylates/​C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
  19. Polysorbate 20
  20. Phenoxyethanol
  21. Polyacrylamide
  22. Mica
  23. Aminomethyl Propanol
  24. Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
  25. Benzyl Alcohol
  26. C13-14 Isoparaffin
  27. Disodium EDTA
  28. Xanthan Gum
  29. Sodium Benzoate
  30. Laureth-7
  31. Methylparaben
  32. Ascorbyl Glucoside
  33. Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
  34. Tocopherol
  35. Methicone
  36. Parfum/​Fragrance
  37. Limonene
  38. Citronellol
  39. Ci 77891/​Titanium Dioxide
  40. Ci 77492/​Iron Oxides

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