I Tried the New SK-II Cream That Promises to Plump & Brighten Dull-Looking Skin

‘Get that glow!’ ‘Guaranteed glow in minutes!’ ‘The products you need for glowy skin!’

I’m sure you’ve seen headlines like these before.

Hey, I may have even written some of them.

Truth is, The People just want bouncy, plump, radiant skin.

*And by people, I also mean me. 

Dehydration or dehydrated skin is the enemy of glowy skin, resulting in a complexion that appears dull, tired, flat and lifeless.

It's also one of the most common skin concerns going around, which leads nicely into SK-II Australia's new moisturiser for glowing skin.

SK-II SKINPOWER Cream promises to supercharge your skin, leaving it smoother, softer, bouncier, plumper, more radiant...

Basically, it reckons it does it all.

Intrigued? Read on to find out more.

Why Does My Skin Look So Dull? 

Many factors contribute to lacklustre skin.

These include built up dead skin cells, free radical damage, internal stress, and/or external factors like pollution, heating, air conditioning and changes in weather.

A lot of the time, though, dehydration is the main culprit. 

Dehydrated skin lacks water, causing skin to look lacklustre and dull, with fine lines and wrinkles appearing more prominent than usual.

You can learn more about dehydrated skin in this episode of the Skincare School podcast below...

To give you a food-related analogy, dehydration in the skin is similar to what happens when a juicy, ripe piece of fruit is turned into dried fruit.

The dehydration process makes the fruit no less delicious, but it does leave it looking smaller and more wrinkled.

Ingredients that can help revive dehydrated skin include:

• Prebiotics and probiotics - These feed the good bacteria that live on our skin to keep it healthy and thriving.

• Niacinamide (vitamin B3) - An anti-inflammatory, hydrating ingredient that brightens and strengthens the skin barrier.

• Humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid (or sodium hydroxide) help skin to retain moisture.

• Emollient ingredients like shea butter create a barrier to prevent moisture loss.

Watch more on taking care of your skin barrier in this YouTube video below.

Meet the SK-II SKINPOWER Range.

Haven't heard much about SK-II before? Let’s get you up to speed.

SK-II is a global cult brand known for effective formulas that also look and feel super luxe.

SK-II Australia products are LOVED worldwide by celebrities, skincare obsessives and those with the skincare tea - like you, dear reader.

In fact, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is a cult classic and one of the most popular skincare products at Adore Beauty, ever.

The brand was developed by Japanese scientists in the 1970s after noticing elderly workers in a sake brewery had suspiciously-young-looking hands.

Turns out, their hands were constantly submerged in fermented yeast.

Thus, SK-II and its signature ingredient pitera (yeast extract) was born!

Decades later, and the brand have just launched their new SK-II SKINPOWER range.

An evolution of the SK-II RNA Power products, these formulas contain patented technology to address signs of skin stress.

SK-II SKINPOWER (all caps because this range means business!) includes four key products:

• SK-II SKINPOWER Cream

• SK-II SKINPOWER Eye Cream

• SK-II SKINPOWER Airy Milky Lotion

• SK-II SKINPOWER Essence

All the products are ~beautiful~ but we really need to talk about the hero product in the range, the SK-II SKINPOWER Cream.

I mean, the name alone is enough to pique the interest of even the biggest beauty sceptic.

What Is the SK-II SKINPOWER Cream?

SK-II SKINPOWER Cream (previously called RNA Power) is a targeted moisturising cream.

The brand says it can 'supercharge skin from within' for a bouncy, smooth, radiant complexion.

How? Short answer: Think of this luxe moisturiser as a renewable charger for your skin.

After eight years of research into autophagy (the skin cells' ability to self-generate), SK-II found skin can fluctuate in appearance up to NINE YEARS in a single day.

These 'low skin power moments' from environmental stress, dehydration and fatigue lead to dullness, visible pores, fine lines and texture. 

The nourishing, velvety moisturiser creates a constant cycle of ‘energy to power’ to keep skin hydrated and the look of pores minimised.

As for what's in this good-looking red tub, SK-II SKINPOWER Cream ingredients include:

• InfinitPower Technology - A cocktail of plumping, reenergising ingredients like Calla Lily Extract, Dokudami Extract and Peony Extract.

• Pitera - The brand's signature bio-ingredient derived from yeast fermentation, containing over 50 micro nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids and organic acids to keep skin functioning.

• Skin barrier ingredients like brightening niacinamide (vitamin B3), glycerin, hyaluronic acid and shea butter.

Shop SK-II SKINPOWER Cream here:

My SK-II SKINPOWER Cream Review.

Being a beauty content creator, I’m basically a full time road-tester, forever trying new things.

I know, tough gig, but it means I can be quite sceptical when products have big claims. Also, as a rule of thumb, I test products for at least a month before giving an informed opinion.

My dehydrated skin and I had very high hopes for the SKINPOWER cream.

The SK-II essence is one of our all-time favourite products, and we've gone through countless SK-II sheet masks in our time.

With a smooth and light texture, SK-II SKINPOWER Cream comes densely-packed in the jar, so you won't run out quickly.

Good thing too, considering it has a premium price tag.

The scent is divine. It's that soft, clean, expensive scent that makes you sigh with happiness.

The luxe frosted glass jar in the classic SK-II red is a joy to look at, and inside the box, you’ll find a spatula for hygienic application.

I've been using this cream morning and evening, after cleansing and serums, and before sunscreen in the daytime. 

The first few times I used SKINPOWER, I was sure I was seeing things... I swear my skin was glowing immediately after application. 

And I don’t mean a glow, like dewy or shiny either. I was actually radiant.

My skin definitely feels hydrated and comfortable after use, but not heavy or oily. SKINPOWER is just right.

The main draw for me is definitely the instant glow it gives me (see below).

It's something I look forward to using regularly, and as a beautiful smoothing, radiant base under makeup.

Final Verdict...

Who is SK-II SKINPOWER Cream best for?

If you have the financial means, and your main skin concerns are dullness and dehydration, this baby is for you. 

Every skin type can benefit from this product, but oiler skin types might prefer the texture and finish of the SK-II SKINPOWER Airy Milky Lotion lightweight version.

Drier skin types can apply the SK-II SKINPOWER Essence underneath the cream morning and night for extra hydration, and follow with a face oil before bed to really seal everything in.

But as far as a straightforward 'does everything' moisturiser for mega-watt skin, this cream is an absolute dream.

You can find more product reviews from Amelia in these Beauty IQ articles below:

• Can A Moisturiser *Really* Hydrate Your Skin For 100 Hours? Let's Find Out...

• The Exact Dewy Makeup Routine I Use to Combat Dry Winter Skin

• I Tried Dry Body Brushing Like a Celeb - Here's Exactly What It Can (and Can't) Do For You

• The Best Nourishing Face Oil to Slather Yourself In, Depending on Your Skin Type