Boosting Hydration: A Review of Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI

I’ve been to a number of events hosted by Sulwhasoo, a luxury Korean beauty brand, in which I’ve gotten to try their products and gotten to hear more from their brand reps on how to use them effectively. When I first heard of the brand, it seemed more appropriate for women fifty and older and as I wasn’t quite there yet, I didn’t give them a ton of thought… also because they’re expensive. That said, Sulwhasoo is a brand I’ve come to love while living in Korea.

If you haven’t heard of this major Korean beauty brand, get ready for a deep dive into them and one of their most popular products, the First Care Activating Serum VI. If you want to try just one of Sulwhasoo’s products, this is what you should try first. Get ready to amp up your skincare routine.

Get ready to learn everything you need to know about Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum:

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Who is Sulwhasoo

For over half a century, Sulwhasoo has stood as a beacon of holistic beauty, seamlessly blending traditional Korean herbal wisdom with cutting-edge scientific innovation. If you visit Seoul, you can visit their just gorgeous Sulwhasoo flagship stores which I highly recommend if you want to learn more about the brand and their products and they have beautiful displays of the herbal ingredients they use.

Sulwhasoo’s essence lies in a passion for holistic beauty, timeless wisdom, and scientific advancement. Today, the brand remains dedicated to this legacy though as seen recently, does continually redesign their style to suit the times, crafting luxurious skincare collections adored globally. Guided by a holistic skincare philosophy, Sulwhasoo expertly combines traditional Korean herbs with advanced scientific techniques, delivering elegant and effective products that nourish the skin for visible health and radiance.

Central to Sulwhasoo’s research is the remarkable ginseng, revered across cultures for its health and regenerative benefits. Pioneering ginseng research for skincare, Sulwhasoo brings this ancient root’s exceptional benefits to the forefront.

Sulwhasoo is a brand that is trusted by Korean women young and old. Even my mother-in-law has Sulwhasoo on her shelf. It’s a staple Korean beauty brand for any luxurious Korean skincare routine.

What is Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum VI

As someone who battles dry skin and is starting to really notice those beautiful wrinkly aging lines, I’ve been drawn to Sulwhasoo’s products more and more. I tried the Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask and was blown away so now I’m going all in on this brand. Good for all skin types, the First Care Activating Serum is said to be especially good for aging and dryness.

This serum is formulated with traditional herbal ingredients and enriched with a ginseng formulation. It’s a powerhouse that is meant to strengthen the skin barrier and tame those premature visible signs of aging through balancing, hydrating, and brightening.

The Packaging: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

The event I last attended by Sulwhasoo was really promoting their new packaging. Discussions have swirled about the new designs that are much more modern and sleek while still holding on to traditional shapes.

Generally speaking, Sulwhasoo has been a staple with women in their 40s and older. Like I said, it’s been one of my mother-in-law’s favorite brands for awhile. The new design has apparently ruffled the feathers of this demographic a bit though as it has moved away from a more traditional look and gone for a younger vibe, even tapping on Blackpink’s Rosé as a brand ambassador. The company seems to be trying to reach a younger target with this move and some people either really love it, or really don’t it seems.

The new bottle’s design, inspired by antique ceramic vases, is a harmonious blend of tradition and modern luxury that adds a touch of opulence if you ask me. If you look at the whole line, you’ll notice elegant lines that play on the Korean moon jar shape as well. Not only are the shapes traditional, but the bottle of this serum is a rather substantial weight as well giving the feeling that you’re holding a piece of Korean ceramics right in your hands.

In addition to the new standard design, I was lucky enough to get the limited edition Year of the Dragon specially designed bottles when I recently traveled through the airport. They are EXQUISITE!

Elevating the Art of Prepping

What I found most interesting when the brand rep started talking about this serum was that he suggested it should be used after cleansing and prior to everything else including toner. Marketed as a prep-serum, the rep explained that it helps to boost the effects of the products that are layered on top creating an optimal absorption.

The skincare routine using the First Care Activating Serum VI becomes:

First Care Activating Serum VI -> Toner -> Serum -> Emulsion/Cream -> Eye Cream

Having been a novice to all things skincare and beauty when I first moved to Korea two decades ago, I remember being taught that toner was always first so learning of a “pre-serum” was news to me!

Rituals and Results

While it’s recommended to use this prep-serum twice a day, I found it was sufficient and best used in my morning skincare routine. After cleansing, Sulwhasoo’s transformative serum steps into the limelight, creating the perfect canvas for my parched skin to soak in subsequent skincare products. Honestly, I really did notice a difference when I used it versus when I didn’t. It’s light but not watery and easily soaks into the skin. I didn’t notice any sticky feel after use.

There is a light herbal aroma that I noticed which I found lovely. Pumping twice, I warmed the serum in my palms and then gently pressed the serum onto my face as the brand rep recommended until it was fully absorbed.

In essence, Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum VI isn’t just a pre-serum for me; it’s a skincare companion that primes my dry skin for optimal absorption, providing quick absorption, an herbal scent that invigorates, and immediate indulgent hydration. Has this become a staple in my skincare routine? It indeed has. While many of the other Korean beauty brands sufficed for my younger skin for the past couple of decades, I am turning 40 this year and can say that Sulwhasoo, though expensive, is worth every penny… just like my mother-in-law said (She is always telling me what I need and she’s always right. Mother-in-law knows best?)

Pros:

The luxurious packaging with a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity resonates with my aesthetic preferences.
The swift absorption without a sticky after-feel is a relief for my dry skin and does seem to amp up hydration.
Not sure if it boosts effects of other products, but does make my skin feel great.

Cons:

It’s considered a pricey investment, but the benefits for my dry skin may well be worth it.
The herbal scent is invigorating, but may not be for everyone.
Individual results may vary, and my specific dry skin needs might differ from others.

Where To Buy The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI

You can buy Sulwhasoo products on a few different websites if you’re not in Korea where you can of course visit their flagship stores or lots of beauty stures. Find the Sulwhasoo Clarifying mask on Amazon or on YesStyle.com they are selling a mini version if you’d like to test it out or directly on the Sulwhasoo website.

Ingredients

water / aqua / eau, alcohol denat., butylene glycol, betaine, 1,2-hexanediol, bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, glyceryl polymethacrylate, propanediol, carbomer, ppg-13-decyltetradeceth-24, tromethamine, glyceryl caprylate, scutellaria baicalensis root extract, ethylhexylglycerin, fragrance / parfum, adenosine, limonene, dextrin, theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract, methyl trimethicone, disodium edta, xanthan gum, cellulose gum, carrageenan, honey / mel / miel, madecassoside, rehmannia glutinosa root extract, pentylene glycol, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, taurine, ophiopogon japonicus root extract, paeonia lactiflora root extract, lilium candidum bulb extract, linalool, polygonatum odoratum rhizome extract, biosaccharide gum-1, propylene glycol, panax ginseng root extract, nelumbo nucifera flower extract, natto gum, ziziphus jujuba fruit extract, juglans regia (walnut) seed extract, prunus mume fruit extract, citronellol, citral, geraniol, hydrogenated lecithin, tocopherol, citric acid

This pre-serum is crafted for individuals like me, comfortable with herbal scents, craving a swift hydration boost for dry skin, and embracing pre-serums or booster serums in our daily routines. Haven’t tried it yet? You should.

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