Skin & Tonics : Skincare Guides & Product Reviews

Skincare guides & product reviews for hydration lovers & the moisture barrier obsessed

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream Review

Do you ever look at those spreads of handbags in fashion magazines and try to pick your favorite ones without looking at the price? And then after you’ve selected your favorites you look at how much they cost and, of course, they’re the most expensive ones on the page? I play this game with myself all the time and have such mixed feelings about the outcome – on the one hand, maybe it just means I have good taste, but on the other hand – I would never spend $3,000 on a handbag. To a lesser extent, this is how I felt about Sulwhasoo, an Oriental medicine-based, luxury Korean skincare line that also happens to be very expensive. Sulwhasoo has been on my radar for a couple of years, and there was a time when I seriously balked at the price, just as I do the price of those $3,000 handbags. But my curiosity and a couple of samples finally got the best of me, so as a Christmas gift to myself, I finally indulged my high-end skincare dreams and bought myself a slew of Sulwhasoo: Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream,  Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Essence Oil, the Overnight Vitalizing Mask, and the focus of today’s review, the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

What is it?

The Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream ($220-$264 USD) is one of the brand’s best selling moisturizers. It touts itself as a corrective treatment for all skin types, and claims to revitalize and restore skin, even out skin tone for an “ageless complexion,” as well as moisturize.

Ingredients:
Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Trehalose, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, PEG-40 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Seed Extract, Licorice, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Glutinosa Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Adenophora Stricta Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Root Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-yuen Seed Extract, Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract, Honey, Morus Alba Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Mangifera Indica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Persea Gratissima, Jojoba Esters, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Pantethine, Retinol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Tocopherol, Dimethiconol, Polyisobutene, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Caffeic Acid, Polycaprolactone, Glyceryl Linolenate, Lauryl PEG/PPG 18/18 Methicone, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Dextrin, Polysorbate 20, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Phytosphingosine, Disodium EDTA, Benzophenone-5, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

Even though I’d peeked at the ingredient list prior to purchasing the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, I was still taken aback by how long it was. As someone with sensitive skin who is also acne prone, I am spooked by long ingredient lists such as this one. More ingredients often mean more potential to react to something in the formula. However, there were several aspects of this list that piqued my interest and ultimately convinced me to give in and order this stuff already.

Like many Asian skincare formulas, especially the Oriental medicine based lines, the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream contains wide variety of plant extracts. All of them contain antioxidant properties, many of which are anti-inflammatory. A handful of them also possessed anti-microbial or lightening abilities. Here are some of the highlights:

Panax Ginseng Root Extract – The Panax Ginseng is obviously the star of the show in this formula. This extract is not only the first ingredient listed, it’s also just one of three Ginseng ingredients in the cream. Ginseng is a fairly well documented ingredient – there are even some studies that suggest it may have some anticancer properties due to its l antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It’s also been shown in at least one in-vitro human study to stimulate collagen production, and has had numerous animal studies showing it to accelerate wound healing, and even reduce wrinkles caused by UV damage.

A small sampling of available ginseng studies:
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
• Korean red ginseng extract ameliorates skin lesions in NC/Nga mice: An atopic dermatitis model
• Effects of red ginseng extract on UVB irradiation-induced skin aging in hairless mice

Beta-Glucan – This is a natural compound that can be extracted from yeast, fungi, seaweed, oats, barley, rye, or wheat. There have been numerous studies conducted on its wound healing effects in animals, as well as a few studies on its efficacy on human skin. This particular study showed it to be effective as an anti-oxidant, wound healing, moisturizing, and anti-wrinkle:

An excellent review of the benefits of Beta-Glucan:
Skin Health Promotion Effects of Natural Beta-Glucan Derived from Cereals and Microorganisms

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract – Better known as green tea extract, this ingredient has a multitude of studies showing its benefit in the skincare world. Green tea’s active, skin-friendly component is polyphenols, which possess powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

This study from June of 2013 showed green tea extract to have a prolonged moisturizing effect, reduce skin roughness, and improve skin microrelief (wrinkles):
The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: not only an antioxidant active ingredient

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

Licorice – One of my favorite skincare actives – licorice root is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and has skin brightening properties, making it a wonderful ingredient for acne prone skin and hyperpigmentation.

Morus Alba Root Extract – The Morus Alba is better known as Mulberry. Mulberry root contains active compound called Arbutin, a melanin-inhibitor that has been proven in multiple studies to effectively treat hyperpigmentation.

A great abstract on the lightening properties of Morus Alba:
A comparative study of the safety and efficacy of 75% mulberry (Morus alba) extract oil versus placebo as a topical treatment for melasma: a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Salicylic Acid – Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that is often used as an acne treatment. It is a naturally occurring ingredient, usually derived from willow bark, but also occurs in other sources, such as aloe. It’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and an exfoliant. Salicylic Acid has been shown in multiple studies to improve barrier function and collagen production.

According to COSDNA, there are some potential irritants and acne triggers in this formula. The Glycine Soja oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil both score a 3 out of 5 as a potential acne trigger. Avocado oil, stearic acid, and palmitic acid all score a 2 out of 5 as potential acne triggers. Alcohol scored a 3 out of 5 and Tocopherol a 2 out of 5 as potential irritants, while Cetearyl Alcohol, as always, scores a 4 and a 3 as a potential acne trigger and irritant, respectively. These cautionary listings did give me pause before I purchased this product. The fact that they all appear in the bottom half of the ingredient list, and were far outnumbered by ingredients I was excited about alleviated my worries enough for me to go ahead and purchase this cream, but I was hoping the ingredient list would be a little more elegant.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

Performance

Appearance
As one might expect from a product at this price point, the packaging for Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream is positively opulent. It’s packaged in a beautiful, gold box that opens to reveal the jar perched on a pedestal, which is exactly where a jar that looks like this belongs. The jar itself is nearly the size of an apple. It feels extremely solid in the hand, and the metallic orange finish makes the whole package appear robust and refined. When the jar is lifted, a spatula for dispensing the product is revealed.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

 

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

The jar is very well sealed – I had to remove a light plastic ring before lifting the heavier plastic seal. Inside, the cream is a very light tangerine color, and appears smooth and buttery.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

Smell
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream has a very herbal smell to it. It’s very hard to describe- the fragrance has a nearly wood-like quality about it. I find the smell comforting. It disappears a few minutes after application.

Application
I apply Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream as the last or second to last step in my skincare routine. In the morning, I apply my sunscreen before my moisturizer if I’m using a chemical sunscreen.  If I’m using a physical sunscreen, I apply it after this moisturizer. In the evening, I apply my Tretinoin about 45 minutes after this moisturizer. I use a chickpea sized amount of the cream to cover my face and neck. The texture of the cream is soft, yet structured when it comes out of the jar, but as soon as it makes contact with my face, it practically liquefies in the most satisfying way . The cream literally melts into my skin.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

 

Most of it is absorbed immediately, but it leaves behind a thin, glossy sheen that is smooth but not sticky. The glossy sheen does not feel heavy, nor does it feel like it’s sitting on top of my face – it just feels hydrating. It’s not unlike the way my skin feels after I’ve applied a few drops of Maracuja or Argan Oil and allowed it absorb for 20 minutes. My skin type is dry, so I really enjoy the glossy, hydrating sensation, but I imagine oilier skin types might not find it as appealing. People with dry skin and combination dry skin might find the experience as luxurious as I do.

Surprisingly, I don’t find it difficult to apply makeup after the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, even in the absence of a primer, which I often skip.

Results
I’ve been using the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream for almost 6 weeks. Any doubts I had about the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream disappeared within the first few days of using it. My skin looked particularly glowy after using it for a single night, a glow that has continued throughout my usage of this moisturizer. I was worried that some of the ingredients might trigger a breakout or irritate my sensitive skin, but my experience was quite the opposite.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

When I first started using the Ginseng Renewing Cream, I still had some active acne, and I found the cream reduced the inflammation and the redness significantly within a couple of days. A week later, I started using the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliating Liquid, at which point any acne I had completely disappeared. I have been completely acne free for going on three weeks, which doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is. It’s the longest stretch I’ve been this clear of acne in years – since my late 20s. I do think the BHA (in conjunction with my Tretinoin) did most of the heavy lifting in terms of eradicating my acne, but the anti-inflammatory and anti-redness effects I experienced from the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream was visible before I began using the BHA.

My skin feels soft and well moisturized, but more impressively, I find it a little less sensitive than usual. For example, a couple of nights ago, I accidentally overdid it with an AHA gel. In the past, this sin would have likely compromised my skin’s moisture barrier, and left me with angry, red, overly sensitive dry patches on my upper cheeks. But no. Not this time. I got a little peelier than usual, but none of the signs of a damaged moisture barrier ever showed.

I have experienced a very subtle brightening effect throughout my usage of this cream – though, my skin has been brighter than ever for almost a year, so it’s difficult to tell whether or not a specific product is dramatically brightening these days. In terms of hyperpigmentation, I didn’t see any dramatic lightening results from this cream. It definitely decreases redness for me though – including both general redness, which I sometimes experience in my cheeks, as well as the redness that was associated with the active acne I had when I first started using the cream.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

I am a little surprised by how much I love the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream. At best, I hoped I would like it and that it would satisfy my curiosity about the Sulwhasoo brand, but it has far exceeded my expectations. It’s actually sort of an issue, since it’s too expensive to be sustainable for me. What’s worse is that Alice (W2Beauty) included a sample set of Sulwhasoo First Care Serum, Balancing Water, and Balancing Emulsion with my order, and for the week and a half I was able to use all the products together, I was in heaven. Alas, this splurge will have to remain a special, occasional treat.

I’m generally of the belief that expensive does not equal “better” when it comes to skincare; there are plenty of amazing skincare products I love available at $50, $30, even $10 price points. But I’m going to go ahead and say this right now – if I win the lottery, the first thing I’m buying is a walk-in closet full of Sulwhasoo.

Who would benefit from this product:
People with dry/very dry skin, combination skin, and mature skin, as well as some sensitive and acne prone types.

Pros:
• Very moisturizing
• Reduces general redness
• Reduces redness and inflammation from acne
• Did not break me out – seemed to alleviate active breakouts
• Reduced skin sensitivity
• Luxurious texture
• Beautiful packaging
• Pleasant Smell

Cons:
• Ingredient list does contain several potential irritants and acne triggers according to COSDNA
• Jar packaging can be unhygienic (though it does come with a spatula)
• Expensive

Skin & Tonics Rating:

Performance:5/5 – Far exceeded expectations in terms of moisture, anti-redness, and anti-inflammatory effects, imparts a pretty glow

Ingredients: 3/5 – This formula contains a lot of excellent ingredients, but it also contains several potential irritants and acne triggers according to COSDNA

Packaging: 4/5 – The packaging is gorgeous and solid, but the jar packaging has the potential to be unhygienic

Overall: 4.0/5

Is it worth the money?
If you’re looking for an indulgent delight that delivers some beautiful results, this is absolutely worth the price. I feel my money was well spent. I personally find the price point to be too prohibitive to use this product on a sustainable basis, but will certainly purchase this cream again in the future as a limited, occasional extravagance.

Where to Buy

I bought my Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream at W2Beauty, where it retails for $210. First time customers can get a $5 W2Beauty voucher by entering my sponsor code at sign-up: 025605.

Neiman Marcus also carries the Sulwhasoo Ginseng Renewing Cream on their US website, where it retails for $220.

 

 

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49 comments onSulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream Review

  1. The packaging makes it look so luxurious- which it is! However, no matter how good a cream is I just don’t think I can justify spending even more than $70 on a skincare product. It’s just over the top. I will however still be looking forward to your reviews on the other Sulwhasoo products.

    Speaking of $3000 handbags, you totally reminded me of this one time my aunt’s friend asked her to help her buy this Louis Vuitton bag when she came to visit us. The bag cost around $2300 and was just a plain navy blue leather purse! I still cannot forget my bewilderment that day when my aunt came home with it in a fancy box, only to find that it looked so plain and simple.

    • Kerry

      That’s smart, Gloria. I agree that $70 is actually the perfect price cap – there’s still room for luxury in that range without having to take out a second mortgage. The Hanyul line is conceptually similar to the Sulwhasoo line – I’m trying that one very soon. Its price point is right in that $30-$70 sweet spot, so if I fall in love with something, I could actually repurchase it on the regular basis.

      Also, I really need to see a photo of this purse. I do think a plain navy blue leather purse sounds lovely, and exactly like something I’d want, but not for $2300! Good gravy!

  2. ah i am lusting after it for years but never muster up courage to part with the money that goes with it..lovely review ..i am dying to have it

    • Kerry

      Anusha, have you ever tried samples of it? Maybe if you used it, you’d find you didn’t like it as much as you thought you would after all! Of course, maybe you’d fall in love with it. I’m not sure which would be worse!

  3. Wow! What a beautiful cream, and I love how thorough you are. I won’t be able to experience this cream myself, but I appreciate getting to learn more about it!

    • Kerry

      Maybe you’ll come by some samples one of these days! That’s how I ended up trying it for the first time. 🙂

  4. Great cream, what a pity it’s sooo expensive :/

  5. I really appreciate your thorough and well-written reviews. I hope you will also review the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Essence Oil and the Overnight Vitalizing Mask.

  6. Oh Sulwhasoo, you heartbreaker. I picked a bunch of Sulwhasoo samples a while back mainly out of curiosity, and had exactly the same reaction – I couldn’t believe it was actually that good. I’m more of a bargain hunter than luxury brand aficionado, so this is not my typical reaction to creams that cost hundreds of dollars. But I’m with you on that whole walk-in closet thing should I ever win the lotto too. 🙂

    • Kerry

      Totally. I’m about to spend some time looking for products that fill the same void with a lower price tag, but I have a feeling I’m going to be chasing a dragon.

  7. I was looking at a gorgeous lamp for my place the other day, it was $260 and I balked at the price. Now I see this cream and I’m like “Oh $220? That’s cool, sounds great!”. The skincare devotion cult is serious lol.

  8. I’ve always wanted to try out Sulswhasoo. I did try their First Care Activating Serum in sample form, but I think it broke my skin out so I gave the rest of my samples to my sister and mom. I did love the smell of it though. I think Ginseng has a calming scent.

    p.s. It’s been about 3 weeks since I started using Benton’s skincare line and I love it. I’ve already ordered backups as well as their two other products they recently brought out. My skin is very calm and I give credit to the aloe in their products and I love how it quickly absorbs into my skin even though I have oily skin. I also love how my skin just ‘glows,’ but that also can be contributed to Shea Terra Organic oils. I love changing up the oils I use and especially love the Tamanu oil. That oil is slowly fading a scar on my leg so I can only imagine what it would do for scars on the face. I have recently gotten so many comments on how beautiful my skin looks and what makeup I’m wearing. It’s super fun when I get to say none and all I’m wearing is Benton and Shea Terra oils.

    Thank you so much for all your amazing product recommendations and reviews! I definitely come to your site for finding new products to try.

  9. Why does expensive sometimes mean great! No fair, at any rate at least you didn’t throw your money away!

    • Kerry

      Tell me about it, Tiffany! Though I was just telling Coco (The Beauty Wolf) on Twitter that it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. 😉

  10. Oh god Kerry, I’ve been so curious about this line specifically because I love the way red ginseng makes my face feel but I just couldn’t justify the price tag without knowing. That ingredient list is INSANE though! I’m honestly surprised by the length and the amount of extracts in it. Being another yeast related product I’m definitely interested in trying it…if I can find samples of it haha. Great review as always.

    • Kerry

      Yeah, that list is crazy long! It definitely gave me pause before I tried the product, but now that I’m familiar with it I’m thinking hey, if that list is what it took for the cosmetic engineer who formulated that product to work that mojo, then bring it on.

  11. Hi – I love all your reviews – and was just reading the one you made about the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream. Is there an specific reason why you got yours from W2Beauty instead of Neiman Marcus – it costs $45.00 less in NM from what I read in your review. Is buying it from a Korean Store guarantee a better product or is it all the same? I am ready to splurge (my birthday is in a couple of weeks) but will wait to hear back from you.

    Thanks!

    • Kerry

      Hey Patricia!

      That’s an excellent question! The product at Neiman Marcus is most definitely the same. I chose to buy mine from W2Beauty for a couple of reasons – one was that I had some rewards dollars I’d been saving in my W2Beauty account for a while, which brought the price down on my purchase. The other is that Alice (W2Beauty) tends to be very generous with samples.

      I purchased my Sulwhasoo Ginseng Oil from Neiman Marcus and was really happy with the experience – shipping was super fast and the product was really fresh. Go ahead and treat yourself! Happy birthday!

  12. Great review! I recently went to Asia and bought a set of Sulwhasoo products (first care serum, balancing water, balancing emulsion) since I have heard so many great things about the brand. I’m currently using these products in conjunction with my retin a micro 0.04%(which I only use 3times a week) and feel that these products have helped ease the harshness of the retin a. I got a sample of the gingseng cream and have been using it a couple times a week and am LOVING IT. I also just noticed that the ingredient list contains retinol…yet the cream is totally fine to use while on tretinoin!! I love how this brand really helps treat the skin and decrease redness!!

    • Kerry

      Hey Susan! Isn’t it amazing? I also love how good at is at mellowing out the harshness of my other actives. What do you think of the the serum, balancing water, and emulsion so far? I loved the samples I got, and I am curious whether you think they are as worth the splurge as this cream is.

      • I absolutely LOVE the first care serum and the balancing water. When they’re used together, my skin already feels really hydrated! The emulsion is pretty good, but if I had to go without one of these products it would be the emulsion. Overall I think this line is pretty amazing… definitely worth the splurge in my opinion! I was also debating whether or not to purchase the overnight vitalizing mask… Will you be doing a review on that? And of the other Sulwhasoo products you purchased? Because I am REALLY looking forward to them!
        Another brand to check out is History of Whoo under LG…it’s Sulwhasoo’s biggest competitor. I bought their basic line but haven’t gotten around to using them yet!

  13. I love Sulwhasoo!!! I haven’t tried the Ginseng Cream yet but I would really love to – is there a way of finding out what the percentage of salicylic acid is? I need to add a BHA cream to my routine and if this has enough that would be perfect!!

    • Kerry

      Hi Mandy! I haven’t tested the pH of this product, but my guess is that the amount of salicylic acid it contains is minimal, and not enough to give the kind of results you’re looking for. I highly recommend the Paula’s Choice BHA products though! I’m a huge fan of the CLEAR Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating 2% Solution and the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. 🙂

  14. I’ve been eying some Sulwhasoo products for a while, but so far the price has kept me from buying any of them. And now that I read your review I find myself wanting to try this cream so much! A face cream that works!! It’s a miracle! Too bad about the price though, I really can’t justify to myself buying a skin product that costs more than US$200, because I’d need to buy around 3 creams a year, and that’s way too much money *sadface* Maybe someday…

    Anyway, are the rest of the products that you tried from the line just are good? I’m really curious about the eyecream, even though I shouldn’t fall in love with another expensive eyecream. Why do they have to work so well?!

    • Kerry

      Hi Sil! I’ll definitely be reviewing the other Sulwhasoo products I tried. Here’s a spoiler though – I really like them all, but this cream is the only one I’ll repurchase!

  15. Hi. I just want to ask, what is the most effective product you’ve tried for removing hyperpigmentation scars?

    • Kerry

      Hi Kanou! I don’t know that I could choose just one – there are many products I’ve had a lot of luck with. The Benton Snail Bee products helped lighten existing scars as well as preventing new ones. The OST Vitamn C serum and several Paula’s Choice BHAs and AHAs have done a lot to significantly lighten scars quickly (in 4-6 weeks).

  16. I have a jar of this which I got in Osaka’s Koreatown for around 125,00Yen or so, and am waiting to try this out. Yes, it’s overpriced!

    • Kerry

      Oh excellent, I can’t wait to read your review for it! I am interested to know how you’ll think the texture of this Sulwhasoo cream compares to the Hanyul Go Gyeol Jineak cream. Based on your description of that Hanyul cream, I suspect they might be similar. If they are, I would be so happy!

    • April

      Wait wait wait, 12500 yen? That’s around half price! Are you sure? Because I live near Osaka and if it’s that cheap, I will be making the trek out there stat! 🙂 Do you happen to remember the shop name or general landmarks around there…? 😉

  17. thanks for the review, i am using Essential Firming Cream and it is good too

  18. alex

    Hello Kerry

    Have you heard / try UGBang Super Aqua Cream? This range has ginseng and supposed to be a cheaper alternative to Sulwhasoo?

    Thanks

  19. Amber

    I absolutely love this stuff! I was happy to see your review. I use this on a fairly regular basis, thanks to ebay – there’s usually a ton of samples available and I just empty them into an old jar. Makes reasonably affordable as I can usually find 40ml for about £15 ($23). Actually, I tend to do this with a lot of higher end products…more expensive over time, I guess, but affordable on a monthly basis.

    Also, I absolutely LOVE your blog!

  20. ash

    Great…but I want to try first if its suitable for my skin…

  21. Kerry Darling!
    I just found a sample of Sulwhasoo Rejuvenating Eye Cream and I can’t even!!!! I have never really used an eye cream. I tried the amore pacific one at Sephora and hated it! But this one really moisturized and tightened everything overnight. I feel like I got a free eye lift haha! Thankfully my circles aren’t too dark. Totally thinking of splurging, but going to try the other Sulwhasoo eye creams and maybe a few others before I make a final decision. What are your fave eye creams!?

  22. Lu

    What about 3Lab Ginseng Cream? I don’t think it has as much ginseng, but it’s a bit heavier.

  23. […] of the ingredients of this cream and what they mean (plus the best reviews ever) please check out what Skin&Tonics has to say about it. Since ginseng is the first and most prominent ingredient, do be braced for the unmistakable […]

  24. Pamela

    For the past few years I’ve been bouncing around with skincare products – mostly opting for a very short list of ingredients, handmade products, or (for a short stretch) a French brand – and have always had an “adjustment period” of sorts, and them my skin will get irritated with one particular product after a period of time. (Sensitive skin, combination and acne-prone) Am hoping that I won’t be on the product carousel any longer!

    I’ve been eying Sulwhasoo for a long time, and recently purchased their herbal soap bars and the clarifying mask as a test run. The herbal soap is fantastic – it does not dry out my skin, and has made it look more luminous and supple. I use it on my neck and decolletage as well. The clarifying mask is great for my urban-addled skin, keeping it clear, just as it promises. The saleswoman gave me a bunch of samples to try out, and I just purchased the firming cream and the brightening fluid (which is not really a fluid, but a lightweight cream in a pump bottle). Between all of these products and my sample eye cream (ginseng), I feel like my skin looks the best it has in a very long time. A few weeks ago, after using just the herbal soap and mask, I was asked if I was pregnant (during a Skype call) – my skin looks that radiant! Can’t wait to see what a few weeks with the whole package does to my skin…

    I typically do not like to spend money on skincare products (up until now the most I had ever spent on a single item was $50 on moisturizer), but now that I am getting a bit older, I see the need to take care of my skin more, to prioritize this aspect of my self-care routine. Nothing beats eating supremely well, staying hydrated, and taking care of your body to have that reflect in your skin, but sometimes having the extra boost from the outside helps show off the health of your insides.

    As a side note: I’m an herbalist, and the Poje method is also standard in Chinese Medicine. I am glad that Sulwhasoo makes use of Poje (or Pao Zhi in TCM) to maximize the benefits of the herbs used. Without the Poje/Pao Zhi, the herbs are not as effective (internally and externally), and I applaud Sulwhasoo for making the effort to prepare the herbs the way they are traditionally prepared for use.

  25. Jinnah

    I LOVE SULWHASOO!!!
    But yes…they are sooo pricey. I only use a few of their products as a treat for my skin. In terms of non-skincare…I absolutely adore Sulwhasoo cushion foundation. Didn’t really care for Iope. Hera UV is good. But I find Sulwhasoo is the best – skin is never irritated and I never breakout.

  26. Nicole

    I just want to let you know that although the packaging is beautiful, prolonged exposure to air and light (by repeatedly open) will render most of the beneficial vitamins and antioxidants obsolete. I see this in products at every price point but this is definitely disappointing that a company should sacrifice a formula for a pretty jar. I just hate how buying products can be such a gamble.
    Thanks for the post. I love your blog!

  27. Ida

    How long did the jar last you?