Sk-ii Pitera
SK-II Pitera is the brand's core ingredient and this collection of 58+ products is built around it. Products include the Facial Treatment Essence in three sizes (75 ml, 160 ml, 230 ml), April Pitera sets, the Pitera Full Line set of 4, a men's version, and various Pitera bundles pairing the essence with Clear Lotion. Pitera is a yeast ferment lysate discovered at a sake brewery that is now SK-II's proprietary active - present in 90%+ concentration in the Facial Treatment Essence.
By Skinsli editorial Updated
Buying guide
SK-II Pitera Guide: Facial Treatment Essence Sizes, Sets, and Pitera Explained
Pitera is SK-II's proprietary yeast ferment lysate - the active ingredient at the center of the brand's entire product lineup. The 58+ products in this collection range from the original Facial Treatment Essence in three sizes to the men's variant, bundled sets, and multi-piece Pitera lines. This guide explains what Pitera is, how to choose the right size, and which products in this collection work together in a routine.
What Pitera is and how it was discovered
Pitera (SK-II's trademark name for Galactomyces ferment filtrate) was discovered when researchers at a sake brewery noticed the elderly workers' hands looked significantly younger than their faces despite identical sun exposure. Investigation traced the observation to contact with sake fermentation liquid. The active compound responsible - a ferment filtrate from the yeast Galactomyces Asahi Yeast - became the basis for SK-II's skincare formula in 1980. In the Facial Treatment Essence, Pitera is present at over 90% concentration by formula weight, making it one of the highest-Pitera-concentration products available.
Facial Treatment Essence in three sizes: 75 ml, 160 ml, and 230 ml
The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence comes in three sizes in this collection. The 75 ml is a four-to-six-week supply at once-daily use and the most accessible entry point for first-time buyers. The 160 ml provides approximately three months of daily use for one person - the most commonly purchased size. The 230 ml is the value size, covering roughly four to five months for a single user. All three are the same formula; the size choice is purely usage-volume and budget.
April Pitera Essence 230 ml set: the seasonal bundled format
The April Pitera Essence 230 ml set is a bundled purchase combining the large 230 ml Facial Treatment Essence with complementary SK-II products. Seasonal sets like the April edition typically include travel-size companion products (often a GenOptics Aura Essence or a Clear Lotion) alongside the main bottle. These sets represent a way to try SK-II's product range alongside the Essence at a better price per ml than buying each product individually. Check the specific set contents for what the April edition includes.
Pitera Deluxe Hydrating Set of 3: a starter kit for SK-II beginners
The Pitera Deluxe Hydrating Set of 3 combines three core SK-II products in a starter format - typically the Facial Treatment Essence with a mask or lotion companion. This set is designed for buyers new to SK-II who want to experience more than the essence alone. At the set price, it is usually more economical per product than buying the three items individually. The three items typically represent the beginning of a full SK-II routine: toning essence → masking step → hydration layer.
Pitera Full Line set of 4: the comprehensive multi-step Pitera routine
The Pitera Full Line set of 4 covers the key products across the Pitera routine - typically the Facial Treatment Essence, Clear Lotion, Facial Treatment Mask, and one additional step such as the GenOptics Aura Essence or a moisturiser. This set represents the most complete introduction to the SK-II Pitera approach in a single purchase. For an existing SK-II user who wants to extend their routine to include all four Pitera-family steps, the set delivers better unit economics than individual purchases.
Pitera Essence + Clear Lotion bundles: two-step Pitera pairing
Two bundle formats in this collection pair the Facial Treatment Essence with Clear Lotion: the 2 types of Pitera Essence and Clear Lotion bundle, and the Pitera Essence 230 ml + Clear Lotion 230 ml. The Clear Lotion is a gentle resurfacing toner that precedes the Facial Treatment Essence in the SK-II routine - applied first to remove surface debris and prepare skin for Pitera absorption. Buying them together ensures the routine is complete and typically saves over individual pricing.
Pitera Facial Treatment Essence for Man 230 ml: the men's formulation
The Facial Treatment Essence for Man 230 ml is a reformulated Pitera essence designed for male skin's thicker epidermis and higher sebum production. It carries the same Pitera active as the women's original but adjusted application weight and complementary actives for a different skin physiology. The 230 ml size is generous - the largest size available for the men's variant here. Apply after the men's cleanser and before moisturiser, patting gently into the skin rather than rubbing.
How to apply SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Essence
The Pitera Facial Treatment Essence is applied after cleansing and optionally after toner or Clear Lotion, before serums and moisturiser. Pour three to four drops into the palm or saturate a cotton pad, then press gently into the face and neck - do not rub, which reduces efficacy. The ferment liquid should be absorbed in 30-60 seconds before the next layer. Morning and evening daily use is the standard application frequency; the 160 ml size works out to approximately six weeks at twice-daily dosing.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which size of SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Essence should I buy - 75 ml, 160 ml, or 230 ml?
The 75 ml is the right choice for a first-time purchase - enough for four to six weeks of once-daily use to assess how your skin responds. The 160 ml is the most practical ongoing-supply size for one person at three months of once-daily use. The 230 ml is the value option for committed daily twice-daily users or when splitting with a partner. All three are identical formulas.
Is Pitera the same as Galactomyces ferment filtrate?
Yes. Pitera is SK-II's trademark name for Galactomyces Asahi Yeast ferment filtrate - the ingredient appears on the INCI list as Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate. The Facial Treatment Essence contains over 90% of this ferment. Other brands use similar Galactomyces ferment filtrate in their formulas, but SK-II's specific strain (Galactomyces Asahi Yeast) and production process are proprietary to the brand.
Do I need the SK-II Clear Lotion if I already have the Pitera Facial Treatment Essence?
The Clear Lotion is an optional preparatory step. It contains mild AHAs that loosen surface dead cells so the Pitera absorbs more effectively into cleaner skin. Used before the Facial Treatment Essence, it enhances the essence's penetration. It is not required - many SK-II users apply the Facial Treatment Essence after cleanser alone. The Clear Lotion becomes more useful if your skin has significant texture or irregular absorption.
What is different about the Pitera Facial Treatment Essence for Man 230 ml versus the regular version?
The men's version is formulated for male skin's higher density and sebum output. The Pitera active is the same, but the additional ingredients and the formula's overall weight are adjusted for a skin type that typically does not need the same degree of occlusive hydration as the women's original. The men's version absorbs more cleanly on oily skin and has a texture that does not feel heavy on male skin after cleansing.
What products are included in the SK-II Pitera Full Line set of 4?
The Pitera Full Line set of 4 typically includes the Facial Treatment Essence, the SK-II Clear Lotion, the Facial Treatment Mask, and one additional product (usually the GenOptics Aura Essence or a travel-size moisturiser, depending on the edition). Check the current product listing for the exact contents of the set stocked here, as seasonal editions may vary in their fourth component.
What is included in the SK-II April Pitera Essence 230 ml set?
Seasonal SK-II sets like the April Pitera Essence 230 ml typically bundle the full-size 230 ml Facial Treatment Essence with one or two companion products - commonly a Facial Treatment Mask or a Clear Lotion mini. The April edition's specific inclusions vary by season and may change. Check the individual product listing for the current set contents before purchasing.
Is the Pitera Deluxe Hydrating Set of 3 a good way to start using SK-II?
Yes. The Pitera Deluxe Hydrating Set is designed as an entry kit, bundling the Facial Treatment Essence with complementary hydrating products at a better unit price than individual purchases. For a first-time SK-II buyer, it provides a more complete routine introduction than the essence alone and gives you context for how the Pitera essence fits into a full SK-II routine.
Can I use the SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Essence twice daily?
Yes. The Pitera Facial Treatment Essence is formulated for morning and evening use. Twice-daily application accelerates the visible results compared to once-daily use and is the SK-II-recommended approach for the first 28-day period. At twice-daily use, the 160 ml lasts approximately six weeks and the 230 ml approximately eight weeks. Most long-term users maintain once-daily evening use as their steady-state routine after the initial intensive period.
Are the SK-II Pitera products here authentic Japanese-market imports?
Yes. All SK-II Pitera products in this collection are authentic SK-II Japanese-market formulations imported from Japan. SK-II is a Japanese brand (now owned by P&G) and the products here follow the original Japanese formula specifications. Labeling includes Japanese text alongside English. The Facial Treatment Essence in this collection carries the original Pitera concentration.