Sk-II Facial Treatment Milk Versus Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence
Updated on July 29, 2024
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Sk-II Facial Treatment Milk 20 ingredients
Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence 35 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sk-II Facial Treatment Milk 20 ingredients
Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Propylparaben
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Simethicone
Emollient
Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Glycine Soja Sterols, Propylparaben, Tocopherol, Simethicone, Methylcellulose
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Acanthopanax Senticosus Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Chitin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Arbutin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Acanthopanax Senticosus Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Adenosine, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Caprylyl Glycol, Asiaticoside, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Chitin, Hyaluronic Acid
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 (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF) is a yeast traditionally used to make the Japanese alcoholic beverage, sake.
GFF has moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
Studies show GFF improves our skin's natural moisturizing factors (NMF). Our NMF consists of many components that naturally moisturize our skin. Having healthy NMF keeps our skin plump, protected, and hydrated.
This ingredient tells our skin to create more filaggrin, an important component for NMF.
Filaggrin gathers all the structural proteins in our outer layer of skin and creates a tight barrier, helping to protect our skin against allergens and bacteria. This also helps prevent moisture loss.
Thanks to its antioxidant properties, GFF also protects our skin against oxidative stress and UV induced inflammation.
One study found GFF helped regulate sebum (oil) production and keratin in participants.
GFF may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Many components of sake, such as GFF, are studied for their anti-aging benefits today. This is because sake brewers are known to have youthful hands.
Learn more about Galactomyces Ferment FiltrateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
