HW Beauty Review: Did Sulwhasoo's upgraded serum give us glowing skin like Song Hye-Kyo?

The texture

1/5

Love how lightweight the serum feels, which is perfect for my combination skin. Like its predecessor, it spreads really easily and instantly leaves my skin smooth and supple.

The ingredients

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2/5

The secret to its upgraded formula is its Jaum Activator, a complex of five star ingredients – Solomon’s Seal, Lotus, Rehmannia, Peony and White Lily – said to provide 10 per cent more antioxidant protection against environmental and oxidative stresses, as compared to the previous version.

While the ingredients haven’t changed, what’s different is Sulwhasoo researchers turned to rigorous data mining and analysis to better understand each active ingredient and its benefits.

The result is an optimal ratio of these five ingredients in the formula, to tackle the various signs of ageing, from dullness and fine lines to loss of skin vitality and dryness.

My skin after one week

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3/5

I’m convinced that my complexion is looking more even and brighter. As with its previous generations, the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is actually a pre-serum serum: it should be used right after cleansing, before essence, serum, eye cream and moisturiser.

It sounds like a lot of steps for a daily skincare routine, but I take it as much-needed and well-deserved me-time to pamper my skin.

Plus, it helps that the texture is lightweight – even lighter than the previous edition – which makes layering the skincare that comes after, easy. My skin doesn’t feel heavy at all.

The iconic oriental herbal fragrance (and no, it doesn’t smell like a TCM medical hall) is a comfort to use each morning and night, and feels like its jumpstarting my skin to receive all the goodness of the other products that follow.

 

My skin after two weeks

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4/5

Two weeks in and my complexion has attained a subtle lit-from-within glow. It also feels plump and a little firmer too. Some of the fine lines on my forehead are even looking a little less obvious as well.

I’m genuinely enjoying using this pre-serum daily. In the morning, it hydrates and soothes my sometimes-parched skin from sleeping with the air-conditioning on. At night, it brings a sense of calm after a long hectic work day.

In fact, before applying the pre-serum on my face, I warm one pump in the palms of my hands and breathe in the scent to unwind.

Is it worth it?

5/5

Guess the biggest question to ask is: Will I continue to use the improved First Care Activating Serum? Most definitely! I’m a quarter way in and I can’t wait to see the full effects after eight weeks.

It’s not just a skincare boost for my skin, but it also works as a pampering pick-me-up when I’m feeling tired too – because self-care is so important these days. It’s also helping me delay the next visit to my facialist as it’s keeping my complexion smooth, supple and glowing while reducing the appearance of pesky fine lines and dry, rough patches.

And of course, if it can slow down the signs of ageing even more, what’s there not to love, right?

$118. Available at www.sephora.sg and the Sulwhasoo flagship store via www.lazada.sg