Sulwhasso? Say, wha? If you’re not familiar with this line, it’s ok if that was the first thing that went through your head. (We’ve known about it for quite some time and we still have fun with the name). All kidding aside, this Korean skincare brand is worth a try, and definitely worth the real estate in your medicine cabinet, so here’s the skinny.
Blending traditional Eastern medicine and herbal ingredients with modern science, Sulwhasoo’s philosophy centers around balancing energy through a specific regimen of products, totaling 7 (or more) steps in all. Though this might seem a bit much to us instant-gratification types, believe it or not, most Asian women adhere to multi-step skincare routines like this every morning and night without a second thought. But in Sulwhasoo’s case, these steps help maximize the potential of the individual products…
- Cleansing
- First care serum: This step is designed specifically to “unlock” the skin’s barrier for optimal penetration.
- Toner
- Moisturizer
- Eye care
- Serum
- Cream
Last week we received samples of Sulwhasoo’s Snowise EX Brightening Collection, which is designed for dull skin, uneven tone, age spots and enhancing radiance. It’s formulated with a Tri-White Complex of white ginseng saponin, white cloud grass and white polysaccharides.
We enjoyed our samples down to the very last drop, and here’s some of our feedback… The Brightening Water is more gel-like than fluid, and it leaves a cool sensation as it’s almost instantly absorbed. The Brightening Fluid was far from what we think of as a fluid, and this cream-gel left our skin feeling super-moisturized. The Brightening Cream was in fact a cream, and it has a rich, thick texture and definite herbal scent.
To top this all off, we also tried the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream, and if you like a really thick eye cream, this one’s for you. But if you’re sensitive to scents, we will tell you that this has a strong, earthy scent thanks to the ginseng. (Fortunately that’s not a deal-breaker for us.) We were more than willing to deal with the herbal fragrance in exchange for a boost in hydration, elasticity and firmness, along with antioxidants to help our crow’s feet from progressing. Although we didn’t do each and every step in the Sulwhasoo regimen, our skin looked and felt great. So if you’re looking East (at least in terms of your skincare), look for Sulwhasoo at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and online (of course).
