Expertise

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE SKIN DESTINY STUDY

The science and method behind the breakthrough Skin Destiny study

In March through April 2013, SK-II conducted the breakthrough Skin Destiny Study, comparing the skin of women who used the brand’s Facial Treatment Essence with those who did not. A total of 272 women participated, aged in their 20s to 70s, across three major cities in Japan.

WHAT MAKES THE SKIN DESTINY STUDY UNIQUE?

SK-II’s Skin Destiny Study is groundbreaking for several reasons.

Rather than a short-term study conducted in a controlled lab environment, the Skin Destiny Study was conducted on actual women who have used Facial Treatment Essence over a course of 10, 20 and even 30 years, including one loyal user who had been using Facial Treatment Essence for 34 years. The results we obtained from the 141 loyal SK-II users we managed to track down are clinical data based on proven efficacy from actual usage.

With this study, we set out to prove the decades-long efficacy of Facial Treatment Essence, and we were only able to do that because the formulation of Facial Treatment Essence has remained virtually unchanged for over 30 years – a rarity in the skincare industry and a fact that we take great pride in.

THE DESIGN

The study took place in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, areas of Japan where SK-II could find women who had used Facial Treatment Essence for decades.

For the user group, we gathered 141 women with an average age of 47.1 years old, using Facial Treatment Essence for a minimum of three years. The average age of starting to use the essence was at 34.1 years old, and the average length of usage was 13 years.

For the SK-II non-users, we studied 131 women with an average age of 47.3 years old.

THE METHODOLOGY

Each participant began by answering a questionnaire about their skin habits and practices.

Using specialized skin measurement tools such as Magic Ring and facial skin imaging software, our qualified operators measured the skin condition of our participants using the five dimensions of Texture Refinement, Firmness Power, Wrinkle Resilience, Spot Control, and Radiance Enhancement. We used the measurements of these five dimensions to determine each participant’s Skin Age.

To ensure the purest measurement, the skin measuring only occurred after the participants removed their makeup and cleansed their faces.

THE KEY FINDINGS

SK-II users who have used Facial Treatment Essence for 10 years:
AVERAGE Skin age: 93.6% better than non-users

THE IMPLICATIONS

The Skin Destiny Study has proven that it is possible to change the destiny of your future skin.

Start by discovering your current Skin Age. You and your skin can age at different speeds, which means your Skin Age can differ from your real age. At the SK-II counter, we can help determine your Skin Age by assessing your skin condition according to Texture, Radiance, Firmness, Spot Control and Wrinkle Resilience – the five dimensions that make up the foundation of crystal clear skin.

We measure your skin’s condition using a state-of-the-art skin analysis device called the Magic Ring, which gives you a numerical score for each of the five dimensions, benchmarked against the skin averages of women in your age group. Your scores are then aggregated to derive your overall Skin Age.

Unlike your real age, your Skin Age is not determined by time, but rather by the five dimensions of the skin. After your Magic Ring analysis, our Beauty Consultants will give you expert guidance on improving your five dimensions based on your results. By using a skincare regimen that’s specifically tailored to your skin concerns in each dimension, you can shave years off of your Skin Age – and finally take control of your skin destiny.