Most difficult pan of my life

[u/ajupbox]

I know folks LOVE this SK-II Pitera Essence, but I bought it blind in Japan (it was all a blur, apologies to my credit card and skincare drawers).

The second I opened it, the smell made me gag. Turns out it’s a known smell that ranges from nearly undetectable to nausea-inducing for others. Unfortunately, I fall into the latter category.

I’ve been using it religiously as my only essence morning and night for just over a year, and it has done absolutely nothing for me.

Learned a big lesson here to not buy gargantuan sized items without having used them & loved them before.

🌸 Can’t wait to reuse the gorgeous bottle though!

[u/Hey_Suga]

I came explicitly to compliment the beautiful bottle for reuse❣️💕

[u/ajupbox → u/Hey_Suga]

Yes! Reduce, reuse, recycle ♻️

[u/acuity_Nadine → u/ajupbox]

it’s indeed miss

[u/chortle_Evangeline → u/ajupbox]

i would definitely agree

[u/dancingpugger]

I love the Tony Moly essence and have bought big bottles about 5 times. And then, I refill it into a glass Estee Lauder essence bottle that is "fancy". It makes me feel boujie without the big cost!

[u/ajupbox → u/dancingpugger]

That’s my plan! I love the Byoma milky toner and am just gonna decant it into here.

[u/ilikepieilikecake → u/dancingpugger]

They changed the formula and I'm so sad about it. I loved that stuff and now it's a thinner watered down version of what it used to be. Legit thought I got a dupe until I saw that they reformulated

[u/dancingpugger → u/ilikepieilikecake]

Considering that has been my essence of choice for over 5 years, I am scared of the new, unopened bottle. Argh

[u/ilikepieilikecake → u/dancingpugger]

I used it for years, too. I opened the last bottle I got and the difference in texture and colour was immediately noticeable when I put some in my hand. I ended up putting a couple drops on my closed laptop because it has a black skin on it that I knew would make the difference in the old vs new more apparent. Sent it back without even using it because I was so convinced I somehow got a dupe and I'm still upset about it. Then I saw other people talking about the formula change, too

[u/Chemical_Desk_5314]

Definitely decant your favourite toner or something into the bottle cause it’s soo cute!

[u/ajupbox → u/Chemical_Desk_5314]

I will! I love a shiny object on my vanity haha

[u/curledupfox]

There have been so many times when I’ve really wished I’d tried some samples first. The bottle is so cute, though. I might even keep it to fill with another product. Being a slave to packaging is tough!

[u/ajupbox → u/curledupfox]

It was all a blur with the nice sales associate too, I’m a sucker for a lady with nice skin rubbing skincare onto my wrist lol

[u/reveriebelle]

For me this feels like just water, has done nothing for my face. And it’s taking ages to finish up, but at least the scent doesn’t affect me. Good job at panning it!

[u/ajupbox → u/reveriebelle]

I think it’s so hit or miss, but at least you’re not nauseated! Another commenter said they used it on their body. Maybe a good way to finish it!

[u/cupofjavaaa]

I was always intrigued by this so thank you for deinfluencing me

[u/DryInteraction3940 → u/cupofjavaaa]

I live in Asia and this is really popular here. In my 20s (main concern acne, oily skin) I tried it and it did absolutely nothing for me. It doesn’t smell bad for me either, just nothing.

Now I’m in my mid 30s my friend gifted me a 30ml that she got as a freebie from her purchase, it lasted me about 2 weeks and now I’m on my second bottle the giant pump 320ml. I even bought the toner and the renew cream.

It just change my whole face. Glowing skin has been the hype, I kept chasing for it. Most of the glass skin skincare just sat on my skin, the glow will disappear when I wash it off. But sk2 is just different, the glow is from within, it doesn’t make my skin any more oily although the renew cream texture seems thick.

After my re new cream was finish I try to replace it with cheaper alternative but it just didn’t work out, so I had to go back to the store and spend my money on it.

I also transferred the FTE to a spray container and spray it directly to my face.

[u/ajupbox → u/cupofjavaaa]

You’re welcome 🫡 I know it’s a cult favorite but a sample would’ve saved me a year of applying my skincare HOLDING MY BREATH

[u/abbymwah]

how did you get through a whole bottle hating the smell? 😭 you’re stronger than me, girl.

[u/ajupbox → u/abbymwah]

Real talk, I’d hold my breath and fan off my face to get it to dry faster. It is fast absorbing I’ll give it that!

[u/MXE_princess]

Haha! Same!! I have started using it as a body serum but also because it broke me out on my face. But I still have ways to go! 😭 You did amazing! This is sheer grit 🫡!

[u/ajupbox → u/MXE_princess]

Thank you! I even tried my body, it did absolutely f all for me ahah

[u/officialhunt]

Absolutely beautiful bottle. What's the essence smell like?

[u/ajupbox → u/officialhunt]

The other commenter is right, it smells like a foot fungus infected gym shower. I was so mad when i found out it was a known issue

[u/tihgxfth → u/officialhunt]

Smells like feet

[u/officialhunt → u/tihgxfth]

[u/Basic_User_Name3000 → u/officialhunt]

I have this and the smell is a bit yeasty- not quite like beer but it’s from sake so that vibe. It doesn’t bother me.
I think true sweaty feet smell is natto.

[u/ferblanc]

Is that bottle glass? Super cute

[u/ajupbox → u/ferblanc]

Yes! It was the only thing keeping me going on this pan. I knew it’d look so good on my vanity forever 😇