Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) - Original Versus Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) Original versus Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water .

Last updated on November 20, 2023. Published on November 02, 2022

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

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Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence)

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water

Essence Japanese Brand Japan

Toner South Korean Brand

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence)

Starts at $75.00

Shop

Buy Essential Balancing Water

Starts at $4.22

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water 36 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

ph level

4.5

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water 36 ingredients

Benefits

Hydrating

Concerns

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Redness Reducing (3)

Reduces Irritation (3)

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Irritating (2)

Rosacea (2)

Eczema (2)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water 36 ingredients

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate • Butylene Glycol • Pentylene Glycol • Water • Sodium Benzoate • Methylparaben • Sorbic Acid

Water • Alcohol • Betaine • Butylene Glycol • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Glycerin • Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer • Glycereth-26 • Phenoxyethanol • Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane • Honey • Acrylates Copolymer • Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract • Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Powder • Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract • Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract • Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract • Ethylhexylglycerin • Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone • Parfum • Portulaca Oleracea Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Potassium Hydroxide • Disodium EDTA • Limonene • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract • Natto Gum • Sodium Hyaluronate • Linalool • Propanediol • BHA • Acetic Acid • Tocopherol • Beta-Glucan

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Butylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) Original contains this as ingredient number 2.

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water contains this as ingredient number 4.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) Original contains this as ingredient number 4.

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water contains this as ingredient number 1.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water 36 ingredients

29% are loved or liked

29% have mixed ratings

43% are disliked or very disliked

0% have no rating yet

39% are loved or liked

11% have mixed ratings

31% are disliked or very disliked

19% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water 36 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients

4.3 /5

from 3 ratings

Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1) Hydrating (1) Strong Scent (1)

420plaenit

1 year ago · Combination Skin

Review

IT'S EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH THE MONEY!!!!
I'm the kind of person who is willing to go all out and drop some money for good skincare if I know I will...

IT'S EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH THE MONEY!!!!
I'm the kind of person who is willing to go all out and drop some money for good skincare if I know I will use up every drop and love it. I've tried a lot of snail mucin products (my oily acne-prone skin LOVES it) and this one is different! I've tried the COSRX and the Peach Slices and both don't compare to this. Peach Slices have a similar texture while COSRX has a similar result to the SK-II. However, I will say that the SK-II got rid of all my redness and significantly improved my acne and every time I run out I always notice a difference in my skin whenever I don't have it in my routine. The price tag is a little intimidating but there are more reasonable options on Stylevana and Yesstyle.

Sk-II

Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence)

Original

KatrinaBedford

15 days ago · Sensitive Skin

Review

It seems to work v well for lots of people. It was a gift so I'm v upset it didn't work so well for me. It gave an amazing glow but irritated my...

It seems to work v well for lots of people. It was a gift so I'm v upset it didn't work so well for me. It gave an amazing glow but irritated my skin whenever I used it.

Sk-II

Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence)