Our skincare obsession has created so many pricey serums, creams, and tonics.  But few have the cult-like following of SK-II, a Cate Blanchett-repped Japanese skincare potion.  So is it worth the price?

Hi Abra:

You use the SK-II Essence, right?  Is it worth trying?  I see so many rave reviews, but I can’t trust them.  All of those 28-day challenges are sponsored, and who knows what they promised to write.  Help.

~Talia

I bought my first bottle of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence ($99) a few years ago.  I religiously used the cloudy, sour-smelling liquid every night for weeks.  I noticed a difference, but like so many must-have skincare items, they didn’t match up to the hype.  So I abandoned it.

A few months later, I found half a bottle languishing in a cabinet and decided that I had spent the money on it, so I was going to use it until it was gone.  Freed from the idea that this product would save my skin, I was better able to evaluate its real benefits.

After a few days, my skin was quite a bit brighter.  After a couple of weeks, I noticed that it was less dry.  And after a month or so, I noticed the benefit that I cared about, my skin was smoother.  Smaller pores and crepe-y skin really benefit from the product, but deeper pits or wrinkles are only lightly softened.

Recently, I started applying the essence to where I really needed it: my neck.  Not applying your face cream to your neck?  Nora Ephron wrote a hilarious book about why you should.  Sk-II is the only product that I can apply to my neck without breaking out, so I keep up with it.

The results still aren’t the neon-flashing “This Will Save Your Skin” that some reviews claim, but they were good enough that I buy one bottle a year (yes, I can make it last a whole year and then some).  I use it on my neck, and now on my hands (thanks wrist wrinkles).  And in the winter, I use it on my face if I notice a lot of dryness, because it is wonderful at keeping skin hydrated when paired with moisturizer.

Not willing to shell out $99 for moderate results?  Yeah, I don’t blame you.  Luckily, there’s a less expensive dupe.

Missha’s Time Intensive Moist Treatment runs $22 per bottle.  It uses similar yeast extracts to the SK-II and promises similar results — brightening, smoothness, wrinkle reduction.

I’ve had a number of friends with oily or combination skin that they use this and SPF instead of day cream now.  I plan to switch over when my current bottle of SK-II runs dry.

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