I don’t always get excited about new skincare or skincare brands because I really have already worked out what works for me and what my skin likes. But when I found out that Korean luxury skincare brand Sulwhasoo was debuting in Malaysia, I couldn’t stop that little hop, skip and jump of excitement. I haven’t felt this way in a while and its refreshing! 😀
I first came across Sulwhasoo when I visited Korea a few years ago. My host’s wife told me that she had been using it, and she had lovely skin! The name trips off your tongue and sounds like a breeze sighing through the trees. Try it for yourself – Sul-wha-soo…. Ahh…. 😀 What it means in Korean is “Snow Flower Supreme” which is just as romantic a notion, you will agree. A snow flower, I’m told, is a flower that blooms in the harsh winter so the name is a celebration of a woman’s beauty and inner strength.
I was introduced to the brand last week in the beautiful tranquil setting of The Spa at Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur and there was so much to take in! I’ll just share with you an overview of the brand here, and tell you a little about it. If you have tried anything from the brand, or know anyone who has, I’d love to hear your views too!
Sulwhasoo is a luxury skincare brand, which means that it is pricey. No mass market product here, folks. Be prepared to suck it up and pay top dollar.
I was told that the brand uses herbal medicines and medicinal methods, coupled with latest technology to develop their products. As may be expected from a Korean brand, the use of ginseng will feature quite greatly. Anyone who ingests ginseng will know that Korean Ginseng is highly prized (and highly priced) for its quality. In fact, the topselling Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream (RM650/60ml) uses extracts of the root and fruit of Korean Ginseng in its cream.
This cream is one of Sulwhasoo’s top selling, top tier products and smells strongly of ginseng. You will either love it or hate it methinks. I don’t mind it, but it does bring to mind a herbal soup, or a medicinal soup. So do take a healthy sniff of it. It smells…. invigorating 🙂
The cream feels a little thick and is targeted at anti-aging. On the back of my hand, I found it took a while to absorb but once it did, my skin felt lovely and smooth. I’d use this one primarily as a night cream, if I were using it. Its a bit too thick for the day. The round green things you see in the picture are jade rollers that they use for facial massage when working this cream into your skin. Its not sold together of course.
You see, in Korea and Hong Kong, there are Sulwhasoo facial salons! No plans to open them here or anywhere else yet though. More’s the pity. I had the opportunity to try the products under the deft and skilled hands of a Sulwhasoo facial therapist flown in from Korea and she was, in one word, amazing. It was either the products or her skilled hands that left my face glowing after the 1 hour session, or it could be both. Damn, I hope they open up a facial salon here or if I ever have the chance to visit Korea again, I’m going to try to book myself a session there! 😛
We were told that Sulwhasoo products are formulated in accordance with the Korean philosophies of Sang-Seng (rather like yin-yang) to foster harmony between body and mind, harmony between scents and texture, traditional techniques and technological breakthroughs. The other principle upheld is that of Jaeumdan which is a combination of 5 herbal and medicinal plants of Peony, Solomon’s Seal, East Indian Lotus, White Lily and Adhesive Rehmannia to produce products and protect the yin energy of the skin. Extracts of herbs are obtained through the time honoured poje method where goodness is extracted by various methods of pickling, steaming, baking or fermenting. Its all quite esoteric but you have to admit, it captures the imagination 😉
So, what sort of products do we expect from Sulwhasoo?
This is the Sulwhasoo Essential Line which is the basic range suitable for most skintypes. It helps treat dryness and restores health and glow to the skin. Rather like your first step to anti-aging skincare, as it were.
The star product in this range that can be used across all skincare ranges is this one – the First Care Activating Serum (RM250/60ml)
This is a pre-serum that you use after cleansing BEFORE anything else. It reminds me a lot of the concept behind Dior’s One Essential serum and the L’Oreal Youth Code. The idea behind this is to prepare your skin to receive the goodness of whatever other products you choose to put on your face after this. I am VERY intrigued by this one because the concept of pre-serums isn’t new to me and I’m going to have to try this! There is a very light herbal scent that isn’t unpleasant and the texture is very liquid.
For those who have combination-oily skin or who want something more hydrating, there is the Hydro-Aid Line which adds moisture to plump up skin and give a more supple appearance. I didn’t have the chance to test this one but it sounds lovely doesn’t it? As might be expected, this one would be targeted at younger customers who may not have problems with skin dryness or fine lines and who want just something light and hydrating.
You may notice that none of the lines featured so far contain a cleanser. This is because cleasnsers have a range of their own. There is a herbal soap bar and cleansing foam as well as cleansing oil makeup remover. These cleansers are used across the board, regardless of the skincare range you eventually put on your skin.
The skincare range that is specifically targeted at anti-aging is the Timetreasure line which is a premium line to boost skin energy and combat signs of aging. This would be targeted at those who have problems with aging skin and lines and wrinkles. I’d like to think I don’t quite fall into this category just yet but who am I kidding eh? 😉
I also had to show you the Men’s Line because I LOVE THE PACKAGING! When I saw it, I literally squealed and embarrassed myself LOL 😀 I love the cool grey and black tones and how the bottles remind me of stoneware. Darn! I wish the women’s range was packaged the same way! 😛
My take away from the introduction to Sulwhasoo is that the products are formulated to address signs of aging and to restore skin energy to give you that glow you seek. Other than the Hydro-aid range and another range that has skin whitening as its focus, I found that anti-aging was the common thread that runs through most of Sulwhasoo products. I suppose focus is a good thing too!
I asked which range one might look at to start with if one were new to the brand and I was told that the Essential range would be the one to start with.
This is like the most basic range Sulwhasoo has to address hydration and anti-aging. The target customer for this range would be those in their 30s to 40s although I can imagine that most younger women may prefer the Hydro-Aid which is supposed to be lighter in texture and therefore more suitable for someone who has oilier skin as most young women do. But don’t use age as your guide. Use what your skin needs to decide what you need right now 🙂 Apparently in Thailand, the Essential range is very popular among women as young as their early 20’s! The Thais take their anti-aging seriously 😉
Have you tried anything from Sulwhasoo or know someone who has? Do you have something to share about the products you may have tried?
I will definitely be giving the First Care Activating Serum a go, because I am intrigued by it. I also have a tiny little sample tub of the Concentrated Ginseng Cream that I want to try. I hope my skin likes it and yet my wallet hopes it doesn’t 😛 If you have a product you think is a must try, please do share! 😀
Paris B
Sulwhasoo is available at Parkson Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and will be available in Parkson Gurney in Penang from end June 2013.
I thought the biscuits were called Sulwhasoo because that was all my eyes would lock on in the first photo of your post instead of the serum “hiding” behind the teapot – sorry. Just woke up. It’s the only time of the day where my stomach totally takes over from the brain :-p That also tells you I haven’t heard of the brand before … Hmm, intrigued with the pre-serum now. Why oh why are all the good stuff always in KL and Penang?
HAHAHA! You totally cracked me up Jamie but I totally see it now – oops! 😀 But you know what this tells me? My blog is now not a stranger to food showcases haha! 😀 Where are you based? Perhaps you can check out the counter the next time you’re in KL or Penang? What a great excuse to visit eh? 😉
I noticed the biscuits too! They look really interesting!
Yeah, the men’s range looks so classy! Interesting to see that they have a special range for cleansing, most brands would have cleansers for different needs. I’m surprised that there’s no whitening range! Is there a reason?
There is a whitening range, Applegal but they didn’t show it that day so I don’t have photos of it. It strikes me that the focus is more on the anti-aging element so even the whitening range has anti-aging properties. I think its all very intriguing don’t you? 😀
I’ve seen this brand numerous times during my shopping trips at Pavilion. Went to their counter few times but the BAs weren’t around. In the end, it’s just “Oh I’ve seen this brand before”. I am interested in their moisturizer. I am always on the lookout for a good moisturizer (read as one that my skin likes).
Oh I hate it when I go to a department store counter and there’s no one there to serve me. Its not like a pharmacy when I know I’m expected to serve myself! Odds are you caught them at an inconvenient time, or maybe its just poor work ethics on the part of the BAs. Pity about that especially when you are interested too! I don’t know how friendly they are with samples, but it never hurts to ask… if you ever see an elusive BA 😉
Paris, after you blogged about them, Sulwhasoo posted about their opening special sets etc at their FB page. Today, they increased the price (of the special sets). I feel cheated in a sense that they advertised about the starter pack @ RM199 (I am unsure whether they have increased the price for other sets or not), but now (just an hour ago or so), they increased the price of the starter pack to RM210. Why did they increase the price when the (old) price they advertised price was said to be valid until 30th June 2013. Why cheat customers like that? I lost interest in the brand totally. I find them very dishonest.
You know what? I think I remember seeing that because I remember thinking how nice it was to have a sampler set under RM200 available! I have raised it with the people at PR and I’ll drop you a line when I have any feedback 😉
Thank you Paris.
I’ve heard how good this is! Glad to know it’s now available locally. Have to go check it out when I’m around that area. Thanks for the info Paris 🙂
You’re welcome! I’d been quite curious about this too ever since seeing how lovely my Korean hostess’ skin looked!
i think you will like the first care serum 🙂 it’s very easily absorbed and i love how it keeps me hydrated all day in office! if you happen to drop by terminal 2 of singapore’s airport you’ll get to buy it there too i think.
Huzzah! I was so excited about that because of what you told me on IG 😀 So I’m going to try that one first! Interestingly, I will be at Changi quite often so duty free!!!! 😀
They came to Singapore’s Orchard Tangs about a year ago.
I tried their cleansing oil (which smells lovely but broke me out) and the First Care serum (also broke me out). Mum loves their peel-off mask and Vitalizing mask because her skin is so dry. I feel it may be more suited to mature skintypes because the textures are very heavy…
Sigh… I wanted to check out the new Tang’s Beauty Hall last weekend when I was down but I didn’t have time due to work (yeah, on a weekend, kill me now!) Am down again this weekend but again its for work and am not putting up near Orchard. Ahhhhhh I’ll have to try to sneak out 😛 Sorry to hear it broke you out. I’m a little worried about that because it did feel terribly rich on my skin when I tried the products during the facial. Then again, I do have more mature, drier skin so maybe my skin will take to it? No idea to be honest! Gonna be a guinea pig 😀
Darn, we should meet up if you’re in Singapore and are at leisure. 🙂
I’m not sure if it’s just the consistency that broke me out or the ingredients itself. My skin is very sensitive and temperamental.
I would absolutely love that, Firn! I’ll let you know the next time I’m down in Singapore for longer than a day or two 😀 There are so many people I want to meet there too 🙂
Yay! I’m terrible at beauty shopping (since I’ve sworn off buying new cosmetics for the foreseeable future) but I know lots of good dessert places. 🙂
Dessert or food is good by me too! nom nom! 😀 Thanks for letting me know about the Sulwhasoo facial at Tangs! Now I know where to go if I have a couple of hours free and want a splurge 😉
Oh, I think Sulwhasoo does facials on the 7th floor of Tangs (SeVIIn). 🙂
I’ve first heard about it from my HK’s friend. She stocked up all these lovely babies for her mum when travelling to Korea. So, I’m not sure is she try up any of this. The word ‘stocked up’ is not exaggerating here, it’s almost more than 1 year of supply…
Wow… I’m guessing it must be cheaper in Korea then. If everyone’s Mum likes it, I’m not quite sure what it says about me and my age LOL! 😀
How is your experience with First Care Activating Serum so far? Really wondering on their level of moisturizing because my skin is soooo dehydrated. Do you have any recommendation on hydrating serum? I really need one now, wuwuwu~
Didn’t try it I’m afraid. I may in time, but not just now. If you can, try to get hold of Hydraluron. You can get it at Muse at Watsons, Sunway Pyramid. Not expensive. I personally prefer Dr. Lewinns Hydrating Serum but we don’t get it here so Hydraluron is a decent option. I also like the La Mer Treatment Lotion but only if your wallet can handle it 🙂
Great to know Hydraluron! Have you use it before? It’s only RM80 isn’t? I previously think of getting the Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Face Serum, but now I might hold back my decision,hehe~
I was playing around with Hydraluron for a while when I got it. Will review it soon hopefully.
Hope to hear the reviews from you soon! I got myself one tube of Hydraluron last Saturday. It was the last tube, I’m so lucky~~ I did some research on this brand – Indeed Labs too. Interested on their Pepta-Bright serum for pigmentation…but it is not available in Malaysia yet…
This is too out of my league! haha. Never venture near their counter in Tangs.
I know exactly what you mean Jyoan. When I saw the prices my heart dropped like a stone 😛
Oh! I’m so happy that you are finally featuring Sulwhasoo! It’s my most favouritest (don’t think there’s such a word.. Hee..) brand ever! I’m currently using their First Care Serum, Balancing Water and Emulsion, Firming Cream, Cleansing Oil, Cleansing Foam, Herb Soap, Overnight Mask, White Ginseng Mask and Clarifying Mask! Lol… I’m a bit of a Sulwhasoo fanatic.. The whole line works very very well on me! I didn’t even realise how good the products were until I went to China during their harsh winters and everyone with me experienced peeling faces but my skin was still fresh and dewy! I love it and I hope that you will too! =)
Hi Su, I could just FEEL your enthusiasm and excitement! 😀 Yes, you are most certainly one of their biggest fans hehe… So good to hear positive feedback on the products and now that you mention dry peeling skin, my skin has been really acting up and drying out of late so perhaps now will be a good time to try them 🙂 I do hope I’ll be a fan too 😀
I read a review on this brand (an oversea blog ) and the name Sulwhasoo just screams luxury back at me. When Parkson posted on FB that this brand is coming, I was jumping up and down with excitement. I hope they won’t broke me out when I finally got to bring them back with me later.
The packaging of mens range attracted me more as well… Haha.
Aww Bugs, screaming is so undignified! I think it probably whispered your name “Bugs… bugs… buy meee…” hehe… 😀 I think they will give out some samples if you go for some consultation or something. Don’t quote me but its always worth asking! 😀
Hi Paris. Well said: Do no use age as your guide. I took me a while to learn it. Usually I stay away from anti aging products, or make sure they are light and and non comedogenic ( difficult I know) , otherwise I end up with suffocated skin, glogged pores and shine. I shall probably try Sulwhasoo if I found a Hydro-Aid trial kit. Cheers
I’m glad you agree about the anti-aging bit, Pipa! These days the textures have improved vastly for most skincare but then I also realise I’m no spring chicken anymore so really, I’m just the right fit for anti-aging skincare right now! No more holding back! LOL! 😀
Whoaaa sweet! I’ve been really intrigued by this brand! I found out that it is now available in Taiwan, so I will definitely take a look when I’m back in Taipei. I am not 100% sure about the ingredient lists I’ve read so far, but that’s just me (cone is not my best friend). I’ve heard many stories about how great the products are, so it’s definitely worth a look!
Awesome, Sunny! Do check it out when you’re in Taiwan and it’ll be great to know what you think. I think like many Asian skincare brands, they aren’t big on being silicone or paraben or alcohol free so I can imagine it will throw up all sorts of warning for those who are sensitive to it. Still, that’s what samples are for aren’t they? 😉
Last time I was in Korea I bought the Balancing Water and the Balancing Emulsion duty-free and they really work well together to keep my 40-something skin hydrated and soft, even during winter in Canada where I live. The Concentrated Ginseng Cream is also lovely but I only use at night in winter as it is very rich. Another product that I love is the Overnight Vitality Treatment Mask – I massage it in before going to sleep and I wake up to such soft skin. Yes, it is expensive, especially the ginseng cream, but the water and the emulsion weren’t too bad, especially duty-free. Next time I’ll have to add the First Care Serum to my regime.
Hi Jane, thanks for sharing your experience with Sulwhasoo. As you can imagine, I’m really excited to try it now haha! Hope it works as well for me as it has for everyone who’s tried the First Care Serum!
Oooh….I love Sulwhasoo! Although I have oily skin which tend to have occasional pimples, somehow this brand works beautifully for me. Yes, even in hot and humid Singapore! Currently, I’m using their Cleansing Gel, Time Treasure Balancing Water, Time Treasure Emulsion, Snowise Ex Whitening Serum (this is a lovely oil-free serum), Ginseng Cream, Snowise Ex Eye Cream, and of course First Care Serum. In fact, when I had an outbreak on my jaw area last November, this range works more than those drying pimple cream! From then, I was sold! I’m one of those who hates heavy synthetic fragrance in skincare products so the lovely herbal scent in Sulwhasoo’s products is a Godsend.
Hi Isabella, thank you for sharing your thoughts on the brand and how well it works for those with oily skin! I was wondering because I found the texture a little heavy. It sounds like you have found the best skincare for you! 😀
i saw and read this brand when i was googling about products that helps for sensitive skin and came across it. However, when i saw the price at the strawberrynet, i know my pocket just screamed NO. A luxury brand. i can’t wait for your review on it too.
Yep, this is a luxury brand indeed. I put the prices as around the same as SK2 and La Mer. Arguably, I’d say the initial capital outlay would be high but due to the texture, I’d say only very little product is necessary each time so you are looking at long term benefits 🙂 Haven’t tried them yet, but itching to! 😉
I’m waiting for ur full review and what ur thought on the pdts b4 burning my pocket. Sometimes expensive don’t equal quality/efficiency. Wink!! Addicted 2 ur blog already.
Hi Leona its a good addiction to have! haaha… Will be giving some of the products a go, that’s for sure. Won’t be so quickly coz I like to take my time with skincare but you’ll see them pop up soon 🙂 Its quite true that price doesn’t always equal quality but also different skintypes will accept the products differently 🙂
I came back from Turkey with a severe case of dry, flaking skin (even my lips were cracking) and I decided to give Sulwhasoo a go. I had tried it before (bought a bunch of samples), but I think it was breaking me out, so I stopped using it altogether. But I needed all the moisture I could get, so I gave it another try. First Care Serum combined with Aquasource (Biotherm) completely rescued my skin! I was using it day and night every since, but it does have a tendency to give me small pimples, therefore I use it only at night now. My skin has never been softer!
As to the other products in the line, I didn’t really care for them. I liked the Cleansing Foam, but I like Cetaphil’s liquid soap better. The Cleansing Oil breaks me out and I cannot see the effect of the balancing products.
Ah Mari, I wanted to visit Turkey too but with the recent unrests there it looks like my trip will have to wait. Glad to know that the First Care Serum was so effective! I really have to start including it into my routine and hopefully start seeing this lovely soft skin everyone is raving over 😀 I’m told its their star product and I think I see why. Nothing but raves for it so far!
An, I came back just before Taksim Square was occupied – and I was staying at a hotel about 100 m from it! Anyway, we are having quite the riots here as well. It seems I jumped from the frying pan straight into the fire.
Anyway, FCS is worth trying, you can buy samples in eBay. 😉
Yikes! Do stay safe Mari! I didn’t know there was unrest going on in Brazil too >.<
Apparently its the most expensive one in South Korea (although I heard Amore Pacific, its own brand and retailer is the most expensive one)
I was at Pavilion on Saturday, and was told told there are no samples (did they run out) but they have a trial kit out soon. (Rm130 ish, i m guessing?)
How does this compare to Sothys or De Cleor? Waiting for a review soon. ^^
I have heard of something even pricier from Amore Pacific but then there always are these products with stratospheric prices aren’t there? Its always so mind boggling to wonder who will pay over RM4k for a jar of cream. Its not a magic potion, mind you! 😛 I didn’t know they had limited sampling exercises. I was hoping they’d be a little more generous so more people can try the brand. I haven’t really tried anything from Sothys or DeCleor so I won’t be able to compare, unfortunately. I’ll be trying the First Care Serum soon because everyone here has been raving about it! Hope it works for me 😀
I LOVE Sulwhasoo so much! I’m only in my mid 20s but I have rather dehydrated skin. The First Care Serum works really well on me! I’m already on my 3rd bottle for the First Care Serum! The texture is just great. I notice the difference in my skin when I use it and when I don’t. I had to source my supply from Singapore airport and Korea before it was in Malaysia. Now I’m so glad they are here in Malaysia! Their Concentrated Ginseng Cream, the Overnight Revitalizing Mask, and the eye cream are also very good! 🙂
Hi FionB, thank you so much for sharing your experience with the products! Its always helpful to hear of first hand accounts and here we have another rave for the First Care Serum! I’m starting to think it can do no wrong haha! 😀
Hi Paris B, I never try any products yet from this brand. I may need to drop by the counter to have some samples to try of. Thanks for the recommendation Paris B!!
Hi Michelle, hope you managed to pick up a sample or two! I haven’t given them a try yet but I’ve only heard good things so far 😀