Facial Treatment Essence
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
SK-II's signature ingredient, a specific yeast filtrate that improves clarity and texture over time.
Good for: Brightening, Hydrating
A yeast-based ingredient that brightens skin tone and refines the look of pores. Made famous by SK-II essences.
Good for: Brightening, Hydrating
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.
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
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
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
A yeast-based ingredient that brightens skin tone and refines the look of pores. Made famous by SK-II essences.
Snowball JM et al., Integration of Transcriptomics and Spatial Biology Analyses Reveals Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Promotes Epidermal Interconnectivity, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2024
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 — 86 female volunteers; 12-month daily application reversed wrinkle, spot, and roughness markers that had deteriorated over the prior 11-year interval
Yan X et al., Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Potentiates an Anti-Inflammaging System in Keratinocytes, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2022;11(21):6338 — GFF activates AHR/NRF2 antioxidant signaling, attenuating inflammaging
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.
- Contains parabens: MethylparabenNo irritancy evidence. CIR rates this safe as used; some shoppers avoid it by preference.
+−Show all 7 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.
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
- Butylene Glycol
- Pentylene Glycol
- Water
- Sodium Benzoate
- Methylparaben
- Sorbic Acid
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