Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Evaluating this SK-II Facial Treatment is a bit of an enigma. Why? Because it seems to have a subtle, definite benefit but the science and cost are more than a little questionable. First impression is that it's little more than water with a modicum of active ingredient and a vague fragrance. Applying it to the face produces a minor tingling and feels refreshing, not unlike a conventional toner as, say witch hazel. There are no guidelines printed on the packaging or on the container itself. You simply assume a small amount is shaken out into the palm of your hand and then dabbed onto your face. Logic would imply it should be applied to a freshly cleaned face so facial oils will not impede it's absorption. A small amount goes a long way and if used twice a day, say, morning and evening, it seems to be enough to last perhaps 2 months. The story line for the entire SK (Secret Key) line of products is that it was noticed that elderly workers in a sake factory had their hands exposed to certain fermenting yeasts daily and the result was that their hands remained youthful, contrasting to their aged wrinkled faces. This has a compelling and scientific ring to it since active agents like enzymes and yeasts do promote profound changes to things they're exposed to. But the reality is that those workers had continuous contact for hours each day to vast quantities of any active ingredients and weren't dabbing on a tiny amount once or twice each day, which immediately raises an eyebrow if not a red flag as well. I used the product for 3 weeks, just adding it to my normal routine before writing a review, to ascertain if there were any noticeable differences. There were. As most users have likewise mentioned, it gives the skin a noticeable glow. SK's online presence, claims this product has a balancing effect and encourages exfoliation. Removing the appearance dulling dead skin cells on the skin's surface would naturally have this brightening effect. It should quickly be noted, that exfoliation is achieved through other less mystifying ways. Lightly massaging VERY mild abrasives against the skin, loosens and sluffs off dead cells. I like Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, which is a rice based powder but includes other excellent ingredients, though it's an expensive product as well. An economic alternative, costing just pennies, if you're adventurous and hands on, is grinding some brown rice or coffee beans to a very fine powder in a good blender like a Vitamix, which takes only seconds to produce a substantial supply. Mix a small amount with a little water or even lemon juice if wanting to lighten spots and gently massage onto skin. An easier option still is just buying organic rice flour. It's very fine and can be used daily as a gentle exfoliant with the benefits the rice imparts. An alternative to this mechanical removal, is loosening the grip of dead skin cells chemically, most notably by mild acid products containing glycolic or salicylic acid. After experimenting, I personally like Topix Pharm Glycolix Elite Facial Cream 20%. (It should quickly be added that using these acid products requires acclimating the skin by using weaker concentrations, 5% then 10% then if needed and preferred 20%.) What then is the impression and verdict in my individual experience with SK-II? I like the product and believe it produces subtle, visible results. If this was a third or fourth the price ( and not $5376 a gallon, based on the $105 for 2.5 oz price; Please let me know if my math is incorrect.), it would still be expensive for what it is, but would easily be a 4 or 5 star recommendation as many of its loyal adherents now laud it. It seems fair to say that this Japanese product line (Now owned by Proctor and Gamble) relies on a quaint and endearing sake worker, miracle discovery persona, to justify a grossly overpriced toner. The same results can be achieved with premium priced, though still far less expensive products. More modestly priced products like glycolic acid lotions, or minimally expensive DIY products like powdered brown rice used as a gentle exfoliant, should all provide a similarly glowing complexion. There's a human tendency to want to believe in mystical secrets unlocked and packaged in expensive small vials. SK-II isn't snake oil but is an effective toner. But it might be considered in the same class as home entertainment, HDMI cables that some companies sold for hundreds of dollars for a mere 18 inches that now sell for a few dollars and arguably are equally effective. You're getting results promoted as exotic and almost mystical that are attainable at a tiny fraction of the cost. It seems infinitely more sensible and cost effective, no matter what your disposable income situation is, to try a glycolic acid cream or a mild rice based exfoliant product. With the price difference you can buy, among other things, a nice bottle of sake to celebrate! Post Note: I see some fans of the product are saying my comments are not helpful. Apologies to anyone who feels slighted. I emphasize again that I do like the product and it is effective at giving the skin a glow. Two stars may seem a harsh rating, but it is strictly based on it's value compared to other products priced much more affordably that promote exfoliation.