# Best luxury skincare essences and lotions, by bottle size Source: https://serumandjar.com/best/best-luxury-skincare-essence Publisher: Serum & Jar. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://serumandjar.com/how-we-pick An essence or essence-lotion is the watery step after cleansing and toning and before serum and cream. In luxury lines it often comes in a large bottle, so the size in ml matters as much as the price. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is the reference point, and La Prairie and Estee Lauder make their own pre-serum lotions. This guide compares them on facts the listings state: bottle size (converted from oz to ml where needed, so the site can show price per ml), texture, the ingredients each brand names, and how the brand says to apply it. We also include two SK-II essence-serums for buyers who want a thicker, dropper format. When a listing leaves out the size or ingredients, we mark it Not stated. We do not repeat result claims, so compare on format, feel and how it fits your routine. ## Picks ### 1. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence - Anti-Aging Essence Skincare to Help Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines & Wrinkles - Visibly Refines Texture & Improves Firmness & Dark Spots (7.7 oz) Size: 228 ml; Routine step: Essence, after cleansing and toning; Key ingredients (as listed): Over 90% PITERA; How to apply: Twice daily; shake 2-3 times into palms, press over face and neck The classic SK-II essence in the 7.7 oz (228 ml) bottle. The listing describes a water-like texture with over 90% PITERA and gives a simple press-in method twice a day. What the listing offers: - Large 228 ml bottle, and the 5.4 oz and 11.2 oz sizes are also listed if you want to compare price per ml. - Clear method: shake 2 to 3 times into palms, press over face and neck for about a minute, twice daily. - The listing says the formula is over 90% PITERA, SK-II's fermentation-derived ingredient. Limits to know: - The listing does not give a full ingredient list or say whether it is fragrance-free. - A water-like essence is an extra step; it does not replace a moisturizer. ### 2. Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Emulsion Face Moisturizer | Anti-Aging Milky Lotion, 2.5 Fl Oz Size: 74 ml; Texture: Silky, lightweight milky lotion; Key ingredients (as listed): Gentian extract, SIRTIVITY-LP technology; Skin type (as listed): Not stated A 2.5 fl oz (74 ml) milky lotion version of Ultimate Lift. The listing describes a silky, lightweight texture with Gentian extract and SIRTIVITY-LP technology. The lightest moisturizer in the line. What the listing offers: - Lightest texture in the Ultimate Lift range, per the listing: a silky milky lotion. - Largest size here at 74 ml, about $4.19 per ml at $310. - Shares the key ingredients of the creams, so it can replace them on warm days. Limits to know: - No directions for when or how to apply it on the listing. - A lotion may not feel like enough on very dry skin without a cream on top. ### 3. SK-II SKINPOWER Essence - Pore Minimizing Face Serum to Target Pores, Fine Lines & Firmness - Hydration-Boosting Skincare for a Softer, Bouncier Complexion (1.7 oz) Size: 50 ml; Routine step: Serum, after cleanse, tone and treat; Key ingredients (as listed): PITERA, niacinamide; How to apply: Dropper-full into palm, apply evenly, extra drops where needed A thicker SK-II essence-serum in a 1.7 oz (50 ml) dropper bottle. The listing names PITERA and niacinamide and says to use it after essence and before moisturizer. What the listing offers: - The auto-dropper measures a set amount per use, according to the listing. - Named ingredients are PITERA and niacinamide. - Clear place in the routine: after cleansing, toning and treating, before moisturizer. Limits to know: - At 50 ml it is far smaller than the Facial Treatment Essence, so it is a serum step rather than a lotion. - Fragrance and texture beyond concentrated are not stated. ### 4. SK-II GenOptics UltraAura Brightening Serum Essence (1.7 oz) Size: 50 ml; Routine step: Brightening serum essence; Key ingredients (as listed): PITERA (other ingredients not stated); How to apply: Dropper-full, applied from center outward SK-II's brightening-focused serum essence in a 1.7 oz (50 ml) dropper bottle. The listing says it suits normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin. What the listing offers: - Listed as suitable for normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin. - The listing gives a clear method: a dropper-full in the palm, spread from the center of the face outward. - Contains PITERA like the rest of the SK-II line, so it layers in a routine built around that ingredient. Limits to know: - Apart from PITERA, the listing does not name its ingredients. - Priced above the SKINPOWER Essence for the same 50 ml. ### 5. La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion, Pre-Serum Treatment, Helps Hydrate & Prepare Skin for Lifting Ritual Size: Not stated; Texture: Not stated; Listed ingredients: Not stated; How to apply: Before serum (pre-serum treatment, per title) La Prairie's Skin Caviar pre-serum lotion, the first step of the Skin Caviar routine. The title calls it a pre-serum treatment. The listing does not state the bottle size. What the listing offers: - The title makes the role clear: a pre-serum treatment that goes on before Skin Caviar serums and creams. - The listing notes an Allure Best of Beauty 2016 win for Top Splurge. - The lower-priced of the two Essence-in-Lotion listings, a lower-cost way into the La Prairie line. Limits to know: - The listing does not state the size, so price per ml cannot be worked out. - No ingredients, texture or directions are given; check La Prairie's own page before buying. ### 6. La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Life-Lotion, Rejuvenating Essence-in-Lotion, Helps Support Skin Detoxification & Renewal Step: Essence; Size: Not stated; Texture: Essence-in-lotion; Key ingredients (as listed): A fusion of antioxidants (not named); When to apply: Not stated La Prairie's top-tier essence-lotion from the Platinum Rare line. The listing says it has a rich fusion of antioxidants. Size and directions are not stated. What the listing offers: - Sits at the top of La Prairie's range, for buyers building a full Platinum Rare routine. - The listing describes the skin feel after use as supreme comfort. - Positioned as an essence-in-lotion, the same step as the SK-II essence. Limits to know: - The listing does not state the bottle size, so price per ml cannot be worked out. - The highest price in this guide, with no named ingredients or directions in the listing. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.