SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is a galactomyces liquid. Most “dupes” are other first essences.
The original is about 90% Pitera, SK-II’s name for galactomyces ferment filtrate. A Korean alternative is a formula match only if that ingredient is actually first on the list.
What the original actually is
| Product | SK-II Facial Treatment Essence |
|---|---|
| Lead claim | About 90% Pitera (galactomyces ferment filtrate) |
| US price we checked | $99 for 75 ml at Sephora and Dermstore, August 2026 |
| Job in a routine | Watery first essence after cleansing, before serum |
SK-II’s own story is a sake-yeast ferment. Independent INCI explainers treat galactomyces ferment filtrate and Pitera as the same class of ingredient. That is the bar for a formula match.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence on SK-II
Formula match
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
INCI starts with galactomyces ferment filtrate, then niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin. The brand states 95% galactomyces ferment filtrate. That is the same molecule class as Pitera, at a stated high percentage, with niacinamide added.
It is not SK-II’s proprietary strain, concentration of minor metabolites, or texture. It is the closest Korean ingredient match that is easy to buy.
YesStyle listed it around US$16.80 (US$24 before discount) in late August 2026 for the standard bottle.
Job match, not the same yeast
Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X
This is the product people still paste under “SK-II dupe.” The INCI we checked starts with yeast ferment extract, then 1,2-hexanediol, niacinamide, bifida ferment lysate. Galactomyces ferment filtrate is not on that list.
Missha’s US page now talks about “97% Desert Cica Yeast Ferment.” Whatever that marketing name is, it is not labeled as Pitera/galactomyces. Treat 5X as a fermented first essence with niacinamide — a job match.
YesStyle listed 150 ml around US$31.10 (US$39 before discount) in late August 2026.
Side by side
| SK-II FTE 75 ml | COSRX Galactomyces 95 | Missha 5X 150 ml | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead ferment | Galactomyces (Pitera) | Galactomyces 95% | Yeast ferment extract + bifida |
| Also notable | Brand strain / process | Niacinamide, panthenol | Niacinamide, ceramide NP |
| Price checked | $99 | ~$17 | ~$31 |
| On this site | Original | Formula match | Job match |
Related ferment and brightening comparisons
Ferment language appears across several product categories, but the ingredient and routine step still matter:
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair vs MISSHA 5X — bifida-led serum comparison.
- Caudalie Vinoperfect vs AXIS-Y — dark-spot serums built around different active systems.
What this page is not saying
We are not saying COSRX equals SK-II on skin. Strain, process, and the rest of the formula differ. We are saying the Korean product that actually leads with galactomyces is COSRX, and that calling Missha 5X a Pitera dupe is a category error.
Sources
- SK-II official Facial Treatment Essence page: Pitera / galactomyces positioning, size options, price and official ingredient list, checked 26 August 2026.
- Sephora and Dermstore product pages for SK-II Facial Treatment Essence 75 ml, $99, August 2026.
- INCI for COSRX Galactomyces 95: galactomyces ferment filtrate first (INKEEDecoder).
- INCI for Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X: yeast ferment extract first, bifida present, galactomyces not listed (INKEEDecoder).
- YesStyle listings for COSRX and Missha 5X, late August 2026.