Friday 18 April 2014

REVIEW: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence...

Sorry to say that this product goes down in my book as one of the biggest disappointments of my beauty century. I've read heaps of reviews all over the place, and they have two things in common - either the reviewers raved about how wonderful this stuff is, or they were clueless as to how it has earned such a cult status...


Sadly I'm in the second category. Can't for the life of me figure out why people think this is the new wonder-water - it didn't seem to do anything for my complexion :-( 

I was SO EXCITED about this product (my first and only experience with SK-II), and slowly amassed a collection of 30ml sample bottles - two from the David Jones Sampler Tote Bags, and then three more when they appeared as a freebie on the cover of a magazine. So, armed with 150ml (the equivalent of a large $185 bottle) I started the routine of splashing it on morning and night for around three months. It smells a bit like a wet face washer that's been left lying around in the bathroom for a few days, but I didn't let that put me off. I must say that throughout this summer I've enjoyed squirting a few drops into my cupped hands, patting it onto my face, and then waiting for it to dry before proceeding with my serum and moisturiser.

But what difference did it make to my skin? Nothing visible I'm afraid, nor did I notice any improvement to the softness of my complexion, or its moisture absorbing ability. Well we all know that everyone's skin is unique, and if it works for some folks well I'm thrilled and delighted for them, but I'm SO glad I had the opportunity to try it out for almost no cost. 

Have you used SK-II Facial Treatment Essence? Did it work any miracles for you?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

25 comments:

  1. I feel the exact same way about this product! There was absolutely no difference in my skin and I wasn't a fan of the scent either. :(

    Sort of glad I didn't like it, it's very pricey!

    I hope you're having a great Easter break! :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your feedback themissus - I sure was hyped up to love it, but it just goes to show that no amount of marketing can sway us if a product just doesn't work ♥

      Delete
  2. I'm with you on this one Kats. It didn't do anything for me either, and I reckon it smells like dirty socks. Pass!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol Rose, I actually found it incredibly difficult to describe the fragrance, but I love your straight-from-the-nose interpretation :-)

      Delete
  3. Hello Kats! I agree with your opinion about SK-II. It gave me severely congested skin (I have dry skin). You may have seen me discussing this product with Ms Danger in one of the BH threads where she said it's quite potent and people with sensitive skin react to it. Many years ago SK-II was taken off the market due to traces of neodymium and chromium in it (which is too much for people with sensitive skin). I haven't found any information as to whether these trace metals are still in the product.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey babe, eek what a nasty experience for you hon - I missed the bh thread discussion so thanks for sharing the info about the ingredients that might still be included xxx

      Delete
  4. OH NO :( I'm one from the 1st category. I really like it and use it every night at the mo. I had to laugh at Rose saying it smells like dirty socks LOL. I'll be thinking of her every night now he he :D
    For me I always notice a huge improvement in my skin tone when I start incorporating it into my skin care routine. At the moment my skin hasn't looked this good in ages. I'm happy to go without foundation. I've never experienced any congestion or reaction to my sensitive skin also.
    Goes to show how different everybody is :) But Petal's comment has me a little worried now.

    Thanks for sharing your review Kats. I love how honest you always are xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gemma hon I'm so happy you let us know of your positive experience - I was hoping this post wouldn't turn into a 100% "SK-II sucks" discussion because the product so obviously helps some gals, but I'm not going to tell porkers about my own experience. It wasn't exactly negative, but it wasn't positive either, more like a non-event ha ha. How utterly brilliant that your skin is looking so good that you are comfortable to not wear makeup - I'm quite envious of you darling ♥

      Delete
  5. I still am yet to use mine, I certainly won't have any high expectations now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well Indie you just never know - would love it if you came back and shared with us how it goes for you ♥

      Delete
    2. I went to grab my facial treatment out of my skincare stash, and when I couldn't find it, I remembered that because of the ingredient issues, I threw it out! Oh well, I'm certainly not regretting my choice, lol

      Delete
    3. Better safe than sorry Indie, and you're skin already looks fabulous hon ♥

      Delete
  6. I have a sample bottle of this and a full size that came with the BiB prize, I've read so many 'don't believe the hype reviews that I haven't bothered to try it yet but I'm intrigued to see what category I would fit in so I think it'll have to be incorporated in to my routine soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So looking forward to your post when it happens Hailey - the fact that it won a BIB award has me a little puzzled, but there must be something to it, and as you can see, Gemma has had terrific results...

      Delete
  7. Hey kats!
    I only have one which was a freebie too. It didn't do anything to my skin. I didn't know how else to use it. I finally figured to use it as makeup setting 'spray'. I use a few drops on bonzer brush and just brush over finished makeup. It takes away powderyness and gives a dewy look :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hiya Su sweetie! Oh now that's a clever use of something that would otherwise have no benefit. Thanks for the tip doll - I don't have any left, and I sure ain't gonna fork out for it, but if it's ever released as a freebie again, I'll give your technique a go because a powdery finish on my old skin is definitely not a good look ♥

      Delete
  8. You do realise this is a roundabout way of helping you save money, don't you Hun???? At the price it is I'd say it's a blessing in disguise! My sense of humour getting away on me again but it's a great blog with total honesty and reasons for the disillusionment. Hope you're having some "me" time.
    With love.
    Trish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crikey Trish, yes! I tell you what if I'd paid $185 for this quantity, I'd be writing to the Ombudsman ha ha... Seriously though I've used HEAPS of products that have done nada for my skin, but I was just SO disappointed with this one as I've heard so many wonderful things about SK-II. Them's the breaks though, and my darling, believe me blog time is me time ♥ Hugs and kisses to you (((XXX)))

      Delete
  9. I know the feeling when you say It did nothing for you same here i dedicated my almost 3 months to this product and it left me with no changes and a big disappointment ,,,������

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a bummer Varinder - so far the ratio is 5 to 1 against in my little blog world, not the best odds for what I would consider an astronomical price, and it's not as if we didn't give it a chance hey?

      Delete
    2. Completely agree with you and your review it's such a shame when you spend so much money on a product like this to waste your time and $$$ ,,

      Delete
  10. my mom used it and she loved it, i think you pretty much have to be compatible with this stuff

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear it Ailyn - now if we could only work out what it is that determines the compatibility, we could save some gals a whole heap of cash, and ensure big benefits for all the others :-)

      Delete
  11. Kat, when I saw that you had written an article on SK -II Facial treatment Essence, I just had to read what you had to say about it because my dear friend, Claire, has given me a 30 ml bottle. I did read the reviews on BH and because of its normal high retail price, I have kept it away to be used when my other anti-aging products run out.

    Your description "It smells a bit like a wet face washer that's been left lying around in the bathroom for a few days" had me laughing because I know exactly what that smells like; my sister does exactly that with her face washer and I once took a sniff of it to see how clean it was. If it was mine, I would have dumped it ages ago !!! It looks awful too !!! Supposedly an apricot flannel that now looks kind of grey and thread bare....Urggh !!!! It's not as if she doesn't have heaps of new ones stashed away.

    Getting back on topic, I don't have sensitive skin so I will let you all know how I go with the product once I start using it. Thanks so much for the honest review :).

    Arty Girl
    bh.artygirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Arty hon, would love to hear how it goes for you - you might be one of the lucky ones and it actually does something beneficial for your skin, fingers crossed xxx

      Delete