• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
Subscribe Give A Gift
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Style
  • Fashion
  • Black Beauty Matters
  • Shopping
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
  • Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Horoscopes
  • Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
  • Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • NYMag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
  • Curbed
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin It
+Comments Leave a Comment
  • Style
  • Fashion
  • Black Beauty Matters
  • Shopping
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
  • Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Horoscopes
  • Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
  • Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • NYMag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
  • Curbed
Advertiser Content from
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.
Sponsored By SK-II Sponsored By SK-II
June 15, 2020

The Super-Effective Skincare This Working Mom Swears By

By Leeann Duggan
Illustration: Julia D’Orazio/The Cut Photo: Courtesy of the talent

They say there’s no such thing as a shortcut to good skin. But among beauty editors and skincare obsessees, SK-II’s Pitera Essence is considered the closest possible thing. The skin treatment, derived from the fermentation of a yeast strain exclusive to SK-II, is said to offer benefits like improved skin tone and texture, less visible pores, and a youthful glow. It’s so popular, the brand famously sells a bottle every two seconds. Fans who come back to it year after year say they do so for a reason: it’s simple, and it works like nothing else.

To test that theory, we sent SK-II’s best-selling First Experience Kit (which includes Pitera Essence plus a complimentary toner and sheet mask) to Ellie Rountree, an engagement editor at Vox Media and mom of two small children, ages 2 and 4. Needless to say, Rountree has a lot going on, and little time for products that don’t work. In line with her “keep it simple” beauty philosophy, Rountree is forever on the lookout for easy yet effective skincare — even better if it manages to leave her glowing despite frequent 5 a.m. wakeup calls. Read on for Rountree’s take on the skincare phenomenon.

SK-II First Experience Kit
$99 AT SK-II

On the 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. life: I’m a mom to two young kids, and I work as an engagement editor at a media organization, which is a fancy way of saying I wear lots of hats. I often wake up by 5:30 a.m. — not always by choice! From there, it’s getting breakfast ready, work, dinner and getting the kids to bed, often followed by a little more work. Our lives are hectic, but I love it. One huge thing motherhood has taught me is the need to prioritize. I’ve learned to say ‘no’ when I need to, set strong boundaries around work and family time, and just simplify wherever I can.

On making time for self-care: Taking care of myself is one thing I’ve had to make non-negotiable, and beauty is a part of that. I actually haven’t simplified my makeup routine much from before motherhood to now. Makeup is one of the things that makes me feel my best, so I don’t mind prioritizing it. That said, anywhere I can steal some time back is welcome — which is why I was excited to try SK-II’s Pitera Essence in the First Experience Kit. I know from reading skincare forums that people are obsessed with it, and I wanted to see what the fuss was about!

On using the kit: The first thing I loved is it’s incredibly simple to use. After I wash my face as usual, I apply the toner with a cotton pad to get rid of any excess makeup or oil, then I pour a few shakes of the Pitera Essence into my palms, and pat it all over my face. I do it in front of the TV at night, and I enjoy the ritual of it — that all-important me time. My usual skincare routine was more elaborate and multi-step, with serums and moisturizers, so with the kit, you almost think, ‘am I doing enough’? But after a few days, I started to notice some really positive changes — my skin had a noticeable glow to it.

On the famous Pitera Essence: My skin has been incredibly red for some reason, and the essence took that away almost immediately. I wasn’t expecting that, but I’ll gladly take a fix! I also noticed a definite improvement in my skin tone after two weeks — it looked more even and clear, and had a brightness to it that it didn’t before, a little glow. When I look in the mirror now, I feel like I look refreshed.

On SK-II’s cult-favorite sheet mask: I’d heard great things about the Pitera Essence, but I didn’t realize the mask that comes with the kit is a concentrated Pitera treatment, too. I was excited to try it because reviewers say it’s super-moisturizing — I’m always looking for more moisture since lack of sleep wreaks havoc on my skin and dries me out. I felt the Pitera Essence had already reduced my need for moisturizers somewhat, but the mask was like a moisture bomb. I kept it on for about 15 minutes, and when I peeled it off, I definitely noticed my skin looking plumper, smoother, and just really dewy and hydrated. It’s like a late-night eraser.

On keeping it simple: Pitera Essence is a staple of my routine now. I finally understand why people are obsessed with it! My beauty philosophy is keep it simple, but effective, and this is just a great way to get results without spending tons of time slathering different products onto your skin. It’s effective, it gives me that glow, and I also get some time back in my day — yes please!

Try SK-II PITERA™ Essence today in the First Experience Kit.

This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

Tags:

  • advertiser content
  • new york stories
  • skincare
  • sk-ii
  • spring 2020
  • interview
  • More
+Comments Leave a Comment
The Streamlined Skincare Routine That Actually Works

Most Viewed Stories

  1. Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of May 23
  2. Please Watch Kendall Jenner Try to Walk Up These Stairs
  3. Courtney Love Regrets Weighing in on Depp v. Heard
  4. Florence Pugh and Will Poulter Sure Seem Friendly
  5. Producer Says Johnny Depp Derailed His Own Career
  1. Producer Says Johnny Depp Derailed His Own Career
  2. Courtney Love Regrets Weighing in on Depp v. Heard
  3. Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of May 23
  4. Which Women Do We Choose to Believe?
  5. The Future of Abortions in America

Best of The Cut

  • Up on the Rooftop in Gohar World
  • The Normalization of White Male Violence
  • Which Women Do We Choose to Believe?
  • The Second Coming of the Hipster Grifter
  • ‘I Mean, Who Hasn’t Had an Abortion?’
See All

The Latest

first person 16 mins ago
My Life Revolves Around Breastfeeding As the formula shortage continues, keeping my daughter fed is a full-time responsibility. And I’m one of the lucky ones.
By Jen Wieczner
quitting 8:00 a.m.
Did the Great Resignation Save Your Life? To make their lives better, millions of people left their jobs last year — and no, they don’t regret it.
fashion 8:00 a.m.
Inside the Louis Vuitton and Nike ‘Air Force 1’ Exhibit by Virgil Abloh One of his last projects before his death.

Most Popular

  1. Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of May 23
  2. Please Watch Kendall Jenner Try to Walk Up These Stairs
  3. Courtney Love Regrets Weighing in on Depp v. Heard
  4. Florence Pugh and Will Poulter Sure Seem Friendly
  5. Producer Says Johnny Depp Derailed His Own Career
  1. Producer Says Johnny Depp Derailed His Own Career
  2. Courtney Love Regrets Weighing in on Depp v. Heard
  3. Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of May 23
  4. Which Women Do We Choose to Believe?
  5. The Future of Abortions in America
lawsuits Yesterday at 6:32 p.m.
Producer Says Johnny Depp Derailed His Own Career And more testimony from the Amber Heard v. Johnny Depp case.
exes Yesterday at 5:46 p.m.
Kate Moss Will Testify Wednesday in Johnny Depp’s Trial Depp’s team is also planning on calling him back to the stand later this week as a rebuttal witness.
celebrity Yesterday at 5:23 p.m.
Florence Pugh and Will Poulter Sure Seem Friendly They were recently spotted “hanging out” on a beach in Ibiza.
gift guide Yesterday at 5:13 p.m.
21 Father’s Day Gifts for the Fancy Man Fancy gifts for fancy dads.
street style Yesterday at 5:07 p.m.
People-Watching at Frieze New York See the best street style from the art fair.
By Maridelis Morales Rosado
fashion Yesterday at 3:08 p.m.
Balenciaga Took Over New York City. Here Is What Happened. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the French fashion house brought its sharp tailoring to the city.
celebrity Yesterday at 3:05 p.m.
Please Watch Kendall Jenner Try to Walk Up These Stairs The dress she wore to the Kravis wedding made it difficult to move.
i tried it Yesterday at 3:00 p.m.
Can Golden Hour Fix Your Brain? For a week, I attempted to find out.
lawsuits Yesterday at 2:03 p.m.
Bill Cosby Is Back on Trial In 2014, Judy Huth filed a civil suit against the comedian, alleging child sex abuse. Now, the case is going to court.
apologies Yesterday at 1:50 p.m.
Courtney Love Regrets Weighing in on Depp v. Heard “I want nothing to do with contributing more online bullying,” she wrote.
fashion Yesterday at 1:03 p.m.
At Balenciaga, Gloss Kapitale Demna uses money and kinky sex to sell a perfectly good suit.
By Cathy Horyn
beauty Yesterday at 12:00 p.m.
Honey Pot Meltdown Explained “It’s hard to think that we’re going to use capitalism to do radical things.”
productivity Yesterday at 12:00 p.m.
The Unreasonable Pleasure of To-Do Lists The Unreasonable Pleasure of To-Do Lists
celebrity Yesterday at 11:20 a.m.
Kourtney and Travis Had the Goth Wedding of Their Dreams The lavish Italian ceremony was apparently sponsored by Dolce & Gabbana.
how i get it done Yesterday at 11:00 a.m.
E! Host Nina Parker Isn’t Afraid to Make Mistakes “I’m no longer in a place where I need to be loved by everybody. The right people find you.”
covid-19 Yesterday at 10:43 a.m.
When Will Young Kids Be Able to Get the COVID Vaccine? Pfizer says its three-dose vaccine appears to be effective for children under 5.
life after roe Yesterday at 8:00 a.m.
Don’t Trust the DIY Abortion Advice You See on TikTok These are the risks involved.
More Stories
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2022 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.