PRODUCT REVIEW
SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence
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Price as of 2/11/2023 1:35 GMT.
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What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
A spot essence that brightens your skin to combat the signs of ageing.
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
galactomyces ferment filtrate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A yeast ferment filtrate (also known as Pitera - a trademarked name for the filtrate reserved by the SK-II brand). It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, can help neutralize antioxidants and can be helpful in evening out the skin tone. It might be somewhat helpful in preventing premature skin aging but solid evidence is lacking. A small manufacturer study also shows that, when used in high concentrations, it can help reduce sebum production and help against blocked pores
ascorbyl glucoside
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
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Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
SK-IIs GenOptics Spot Essence is a targeted face serum that tackles visible and hidden age spots with precision, leaving you with even skin tone and a brighter complexion .
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
galactomyces ferment filtrate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A yeast ferment filtrate (also known as Pitera - a trademarked name for the filtrate reserved by the SK-II brand). It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, can help neutralize antioxidants and can be helpful in evening out the skin tone. It might be somewhat helpful in preventing premature skin aging but solid evidence is lacking. A small manufacturer study also shows that, when used in high concentrations, it can help reduce sebum production and help against blocked pores
ascorbyl glucoside
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Anti-blemish
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
galactomyces ferment filtrate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A yeast ferment filtrate (also known as Pitera - a trademarked name for the filtrate reserved by the SK-II brand). It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, can help neutralize antioxidants and can be helpful in evening out the skin tone. It might be somewhat helpful in preventing premature skin aging but solid evidence is lacking. A small manufacturer study also shows that, when used in high concentrations, it can help reduce sebum production and help against blocked pores
Moisturizing
glycerin
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A mix of amino acids and plant-based lipids. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss over time
polymethylsilsesquioxane
0.65% -
1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
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Anti-oxidation
galactomyces ferment filtrate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A yeast ferment filtrate (also known as Pitera - a trademarked name for the filtrate reserved by the SK-II brand). It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, can help neutralize antioxidants and can be helpful in evening out the skin tone. It might be somewhat helpful in preventing premature skin aging but solid evidence is lacking. A small manufacturer study also shows that, when used in high concentrations, it can help reduce sebum production and help against blocked pores
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A mix of amino acids and plant-based lipids. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss over time
tocopherol
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
benzyl alcohol
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
triethylhexanoin
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
laminaria saccharina extract
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
zea mays oil
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Antibacterial,
Anti-inflammatory
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
galactomyces ferment filtrate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Mattifying,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
A yeast ferment filtrate (also known as Pitera - a trademarked name for the filtrate reserved by the SK-II brand). It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, can help neutralize antioxidants and can be helpful in evening out the skin tone. It might be somewhat helpful in preventing premature skin aging but solid evidence is lacking. A small manufacturer study also shows that, when used in high concentrations, it can help reduce sebum production and help against blocked pores
Show more
Potential irritants
benzyl alcohol
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
triethylhexanoin
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
laminaria saccharina extract
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
zea mays oil
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
All ingredients
galactomyces ferment filtrate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Mattifying,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
A yeast ferment filtrate (also known as Pitera - a trademarked name for the filtrate reserved by the SK-II brand). It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, can help neutralize antioxidants and can be helpful in evening out the skin tone. It might be somewhat helpful in preventing premature skin aging but solid evidence is lacking. A small manufacturer study also shows that, when used in high concentrations, it can help reduce sebum production and help against blocked pores
butylene glycol
4.2% -
5.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Butylene glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Nylon-12, Phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, Inositol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Boron nitride, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Panthenol, Peg-20 sorbitan cocoate, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-11 methyl ether dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Laureth-7, Benzyl alcohol, Aminomethyl propanol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Disodium edta, Methylparaben, Hexyldecanol, Sodium benzoate, Xanthan gum, Ascorbyl glucoside, Laminaria saccharina extract, Tocopherol, Zea mays oil, Methicone, Ci 77492, Iron oxides, Ci 75130, Beta-carotene
Sources
- Effects of galactomyces ferment filtrate on epidermal barrier marker caspase-14 in human skin cells.
- Galactomyces fermentation filtrate prevents T helper 2-mediated reduction of filaggrin in an aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent manner
- The Effects of Essence-Formed Cosmetic Ingredients Containing the Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate on Skin Improvements in Keratinization, Pores, Sebum Excretion, Brightness and Acne
- Antioxidants cinnamaldehyde and Galactomyces fermentation filtrate downregulate senescence marker CDKN2A/p16INK4A via NRF2 activation in keratinocytes
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Suppresses Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Promotes Cellular Redox Balance in Human Melanocytes via Nrf2-ARE Pathway
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Suppresses Melanization and Oxidative Stress in Epidermal Melanocytes
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Amended Safety Assessment of Triglycerides as Used in Cosmetics
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Safety Assessment of Boron Nitride as Used in Cosmetics
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmetics
- The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health
- Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives
- Safety Assessment of Brown Algae-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- The effect of laminaria saccharina extract on suppressing pigmentation in in-vitro system
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health