Sulwhasoo Gave Its Most Iconic K-beauty Skin Care Line a Major Upgrade — And My Complexion Got a Glow Up.
Flawless skin doesn't happen overnight — but a major boost in radiance is absolutely on the table when you treat your complexion to ingredients that flood fine lines with moisture and support a healthy skin barrier. Luxury Korean skin care brand Sulwhasoo recently refreshed its Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Collection of face serums and moisturizers to do exactly that, offering quick-to-show results with long-term anti-aging benefits.
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Ginseng has a centuries-long history as an herbal remedy for all sorts of health concerns — some proven, others murky — that range from reducing fatigue to improving memory. Since 1954, Sulwhasoo has been researching how the ingredient's strengths (namely a potent dose of antioxidants) translate to skin benefits, releasing its first ginseng-enriched formula, the ABC Cream, in 1966.
Over the years, the Korean skin care brand refined ginseng's role in skin care, harnessing not only its root but also its leaves and flowers to tap into the plant's full power. This approach to the ingredient, notably the extraction of ginseng saponin in the 1970s, laid the foundation for what would become Sulwhasoo's hallmark — combining natural, effective ingredients with modern science.
Sulwhasoo's new collection takes the brand's iconic ginseng-based formulations and refines them, combining the brand's ancient ingredients with the latest research in skin health. The result is a seven-piece skin care collection that feels like a bespoke Korean facial when you use it, and makes your skin radiate to boot. Our editors tested the entirety of the new-and-improved Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Collection; read on for our unbiased review.
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Sulwhasoo's Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Collection is like an intensive wellness retreat for tired skin. I tested the entirety of the line on my combination skin for a full month — during which my complexion was on the fritz from changes in weather and frequent travel. You certainly don't need to use each and every product to reap the benefits of this Korean skin care line, though, as many of the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Gingseng Rejuvenating products (for me, the Ampoule, Cream Rich, and the Serum) are standalone stars in their own right.
I'm someone who likes to mix and match her skin care products, opting for hydrating serums, moisturizers, and face sunscreens from different brands rather than sticking to one line for all my lotions and potions. That said, I know that there are plenty of benefits to staying monogamous to a skin care line, particularly if my complexion has tolerated its products well in the past. In the case of Sulwhasoo's Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Collection, each formula layers beautifully on the others, never pilling or causing irritation. Instead, every step seems to build on the previous one — I could feel my skin drinking up each formula as I layered them on for a dewy, nourished result.
What's great about this line is its flexibility — you can calibrate how many products you want to use based on your skin's needs. If you're happy with the state of your skin but want to experiment with K-beauty, the Serum is easy to incorporate into any skin care routine, be it spartan or six steps. (If you're going to opt for just one product, make it that one: This retinol product was a favorite of mine during testing for its cooling, gel-like texture that feels featherweight on the skin, all while delivering a potent dose of Sulwhasoo's Korean Ginseng Actives that smooth fine lines and enhance elasticity.)
However, if you're looking to give your skin a true 'boot camp' experience before a special event — say, in the final months leading up to your wedding — this regimen really shines. It offers that deep, transformative nourishment that helps address multiple skin concerns at once, whether it's fine lines, dullness, or lack of elasticity.
After testing the products for a full month, I noticed improvements in the tone and texture of my skin. I love that the formulas feel gentle and soothing rather than harsh (as is the case with many anti-aging skin care products). Simply put, my complexion looked healthier, and I looked more well-rested. And isn't that what we all want after winter doldrums?
$260
Buy Now at nordstrom
$260
Buy Now at sulwhasoo
Editor testing and review notes: 'This face cream feels like silk on my skin — it's thick enough to keep me moisturized but not so rich that I'd worry about feeling greasy on a hot, humid day. I was impressed by how quickly it absorbed, lending an immediate improvement in the softness of my skin. This Korean face cream also has major staying power: It kept my skin feeling hydrated and looking dewy for a long day of travel, including a three hour flight.' — Sullivan Price upon publish date of this article: $260
$215
Buy Now at nordstrom
$215
Buy Now at sulwhasoo
Editor testing and review notes: 'I cannot say enough good things about this anti-aging serum. It has a gel-like texture that feels cooling on contact with the skin and it absorbs quickly (key for preventing product from pilling). Many firming serums I use can leave my skin feeling irritated or sensitive, however this one feels strictly nourishing.' — Sullivan Price upon publish date of this article: $215
$140
Buy Now at nordstrom
$140
Buy Now at sulwhasoo
Editor testing and review notes: 'This serum-adjacent skin care product is for the days when your skin is sending out SOS signals. With just a few uses, I noticed an immense improvement in how supple my skin looks, and it also seemed to calm down stress-induced redness and inflammation that I usually get in my cheeks.' — Sullivan Price upon publish date of this article: $140
$105
Buy Now at nordstrom
$105
Buy Now at sulwhasoo
Editor testing and review notes: 'Out of all of the products I tested in Sulwhasoo's Concentrated Ginseng collection, I was expecting this to be the most inconsequential. To my surprise, it's a powerhouse product. It applies similarly to a toner, but instead of feeling astringent, it balanced out my combination skin to prevent oiliness in the T-zone while adding a layer of lightweight hydration to dry patches.' — SullivanPrice upon publish date of this article: $105
$120
Buy Now at nordstrom
$120
Buy Now at sulwhasoo
Editor testing and review notes: 'This eye cream has a rich texture; think something along the lines of a body butter. Because of that, a little goes a long way. A pea-size amount is plenty to cover both of my eyes. It melts into my skin as I massage it along my under eyes and around my orbital bone, creating a fresh canvas for concealer.' — Sullivan Price upon publish date of this article: $120
$260
Buy Now at nordstrom
$260
Buy Now at sulwhasoo
Editor testing and review notes: 'This formula is nearly identical to the classic Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream, just with a sneaky boost of hydration. It has a lightweight, non-greasy feel but goes big on moisture. I find that this cream does the work of my favorite anti-aging serum, hydrating serum, and night cream all in one.' — Sullivan Price upon publish date of this article: $260
$110
Buy Now at sulwhasoo
$110
Buy Now at nordstrom
Editor testing and review notes: 'This is lightweight moisturizer is a great entry point to the Concentrated Ginseng line. It's one of the least expensive options in the collection but provides you with plenty of formula to use, also packing the same key ingredients that make the rest of the Concentrated Ginseng products worth every penny. I'll be wearing this under sunscreen for lightweight moisture this summer.' — Sullivan Price upon publish date of this article: $110
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as 'the fashion bible' — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women's and men's fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD's breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD's editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She's tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she's well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your skin and hair. Sullivan tested Sulwhasoo's Concentrated Ginseng line to write this honest review.
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