sk-ii Skinpower Essence
sk-ii SK-II Skinpower Essence lists 36 ingredients on its label, 32 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
Ingredients overview
Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.
Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.
- Water
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
- Glycerin
- Butylene Glycol
- Niacinamide
- Polymethylsilsesquioxane
- PEG-32
- Pentylene Glycol
- Xylitol
- PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
- Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
- Dimethicone
- Panthenol
- Phenoxyethanol
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Polysorbate 20
- Polyacrylamide
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Dimethiconol
- Aminomethyl Propanol
- C13-14 Isoparaffin
- Disodium EDTA
- Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
- Sodium Benzoate
- Xanthan Gum
- Laureth-7
- PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
- Methylparaben
- PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
- PEG-100 Stearate
- Fragrance
- Houttuynia Cordata Extract
- Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
- Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate
- Polyquaternium-7
- Zantedeschia Aethiopica Flower/Stem Extract
Highlights
Free of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains PEGContains alcoholContains EU-26 allergensContains mineral oilContains fragranceContains parabensContains essential oils
Formulation view Concentrated ferment filtrate essence centered on Galactomyces filtrate, paired with niacinamide, panthenol, and peptides for repair. Siloxane polymers adjust rheology for a smooth feel. Preserved with phenoxyethanol and parabens. Ideal for mature skin seeking improvement and barrier support. Formulator note: complex ferment ingredients require strict microbial monitoring; the siloxane system provides a unique matte touch.
Key ingredients
- ANTIPLAQUE
- Water
- HUMECTANT
- Galactomyces Ferment FiltrateButylene Glycol
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- SMOOTHING
- Niacinamide
- OPACIFYING
- Polymethylsilsesquioxane
- SKIN CONDITIONING
- Pentylene Glycol
- ANTI-SEBORRHEIC
- Xylitol
Other ingredients
PEG-32PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 GlycerinVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerDimethiconePanthenolPhenoxyethanolAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerPolysorbate 20PolyacrylamideBenzyl AlcoholDimethiconolAminomethyl PropanolC13-14 IsoparaffinDisodium EDTAPaeonia Albiflora Root ExtractSodium BenzoateXanthan GumLaureth-7PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoateMethylparabenPEG-11 Methyl Ether DimethiconePEG-100 StearateFragranceHouttuynia Cordata ExtractPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl CocoatePolyquaternium-7Zantedeschia Aethiopica Flower/Stem Extract
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ANTIPLAQUE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate | HUMECTANT | — | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Butylene Glycol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Niacinamide | SMOOTHING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Polymethylsilsesquioxane | OPACIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| PEG-32 | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Pentylene Glycol | SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Xylitol | ANTI-SEBORRHEIC, DEODORANT, HUMECTANT, FLAVOURING, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin | HUMECTANT | 0 · – | Green |
| Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer | VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Dimethicone | ANTIFOAMING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN PROTECTING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Panthenol | ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Polysorbate 20 | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Polyacrylamide | ANTISTATIC, BINDING, FILM FORMING · 限制 III/66 | — | Green |
| Benzyl Alcohol | PRESERVATIVE, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING · 限制 III/45 and V/34 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Dimethiconol | ANTIFOAMING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, MOISTURISING | 0 · 3 | Green |
| Aminomethyl Propanol | BUFFERING · 限制 III/61 | 2 · 0 | Green |
| C13-14 Isoparaffin | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Disodium EDTA | CHELATING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Sodium Benzoate | ANTICORROSIVE, FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/1 | 0 · – | Yellow |
| Xanthan Gum | BINDING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, GEL FORMING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Laureth-7 | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Methylparaben | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/12 | 0 · 0 | Yellow |
| PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | — | Green |
| PEG-100 Stearate | SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| Fragrance | 矫味剂,增香剂 | — | Yellow |
| Houttuynia Cordata Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 | SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Polyquaternium-7 | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Zantedeschia Aethiopica Flower/Stem Extract | Not decoded yet | — | — |
Ingredients explained
- Water
- Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
- Galactomyces ferment filtrate humectant; complex matrix, assess allergens and stability.
- Glycerin
- Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives
- Butylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel
- Niacinamide
- Niacinamide at 2–5%; improves texture, controls oil, brightens; high levels may cause sensitivity
- Polymethylsilsesquioxane
- Silicone polymer for emolliency, matte effect, and suspension; used in foundations or powder suspensions, typical usage 1-5%, smooth skin feel.
- PEG-32
- Not decoded yet
- Pentylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin
- Xylitol
- Polyol humectant, sweet taste; water-soluble, high hygroscopy, excess draws moisture.
- PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
- PEG/PPG polybutylene glycerin humectant; monitor PEG oxidation and stability.
- Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
- Rheology-modifying silicone polymer for suspension and feel; requires silicone-compatible system
- Dimethicone
- Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin
- Panthenol
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Crosspolymer for thickening/film; needs neutralization to pH 7-8 to hydrate, check ion strength.
- Polysorbate 20
- Non-ionic emulsifier and cleansing surfactant; contains PEG, control microbial load.
- Polyacrylamide
- Film former and thickener for slip and feel; acrylamide monomer residue risk, strict QC required, restriction III/66
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Mild preservative/solvent at 0.5-1.0%; EU allergen (labeling required), irritation risk if concentrated, avoid in infant/highly sensitive skin.
- Dimethiconol
- Dimethiconol; silicone emollient providing silky feel and reducing friction; moderate comedogenicity, avoid excess.
- Aminomethyl Propanol
- pH buffer at 0.1–1%; irritating at high levels, avoid direct mixing with strong acids/bases
- C13-14 Isoparaffin
- Light hydrocarbon solvent providing emolliency and solubility; non-allergenic, note occlusive nature
- Disodium EDTA
- Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy
- Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
- Peony root extract for moisture and conditioning; plant-derived, low allergenicity
- Sodium Benzoate
- Preservative booster, effective below pH 4.5; combinable with sorbates
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration
- Laureth-7
- Mild non-ionic surfactant for emulsification and solubilization; biodegradable
- PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
- PEG-modified nonionic surfactant for emulsification and cleansing; contains PEG, monitor dioxane, low comedogenicity.
- Methylparaben
- Preservative, narrow spectrum; often combined, check allergen risk and regulatory limits.
- PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
- Amphoteric emulsifier and conditioner for hair/skin; PEG moiety may concern sensitive skin.
- PEG-100 Stearate
- Non-ionic emulsifier, requires ionics for stability; check PEG for formaldehyde.
- Fragrance
- Fragrance; concentration must control allergen risk, label specific components
- Houttuynia Cordata Extract
- Houttuynia cordata extract for anti-inflammatory and soothing effects; contains volatile oils, patch test recommended for sensitive skin.
- Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
- Signal peptide promoting collagen synthesis; effective at low concentration, needs penetration enhancers or encapsulation
- Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate
- Not decoded yet
- Polyquaternium-7
- Not decoded yet
- Zantedeschia Aethiopica Flower/Stem Extract
- Not decoded yet
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-20. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
Want to build one like this? Send an enquiry