Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum & UV Protector
Korean beauty is making huge waves lately, and one of my favourite departmental stores in Singapore has just opened up an entire beauty hall dedicated to Korean brands! And when it comes to the crème de la crème, there is none as highly coveted as Sulwhasoo. This is a brand steeped in Asian heritage, and leverages on ancient wisdom to turn Korean medicinal herbs into effective beauty ingredients. Consistent with the high regard that Asians place on a fair and even skin tone as a standard of beauty, Sulwhasoo has developed a highly popular Snowise Brightening Line, and today I’d like to introduce 2 of their best sellers.
Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening’s philosophy goes beyond lightening skin tone, but seeks to achieve transparency and radiance as well. At the heart of the range is White Ginseng, extracted via a proprietary technology that is exclusive to Sulwhasoo. The white ginseng saponin is the world’s first whitening substance that is extracted from ginseng, an original patented formula derived from years of research, and used throughout Sulwhasoo’s Snowise Brightening range.
Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum is the signature product from the range, and has been recently reformulated with the concept of Volume Brightening. It contains an improved white ginseng saponin that is able to prevent the formation of dark spots and break down existing melanin for a truly clearer complexion, as well as boost collagen production and plump up the skin. White ginseng polysaccharide extract has been enhanced to contain 2.5 times more concentrated actives to thicken the epidermal layer, boost skin’s natural barrier function and moisture level. Mulberry bark has also been added to brighten and improve visible skin tone.
INGREDIENTS: WATER, PROPANEDIOL, ALCOHOL, GLYCERYL POLYMETHACRYLATE, DIMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, PAEONIA ALBIFLORA ROOT EXTRACT, NELUMBO NUCIFERA FLOWER EXTRACT, POLYGONATUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME/ROOT EXTRACT, LILIUM CANDIDUM BULB EXTRACT, REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT EXTRACT, HONEY, HYDROLYZED GINSENG SAPONINS (HYDROLYZED WHITE GINSENG SAPONINS), OLDENLANDIA DIFFUSA EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, BROUSSONETIA KAZINOKI ROOT EXTRACT, MORUS ALBA ROOT EXTRACT, GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, METHOXY PEG-114/POLYEPSILON CAPROLACTONE, SODIUM METHYL STEAROYL TAURATE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, POLYQUATERNIUM-51, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, DISODIUM EDTA, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, FRAGRANCE
I like the soft herbaceous-floral scent, and find the light gel-like texture to be very soothing upon application. I like to take 2 pumps to cover my face and neck. The Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum absorbs quickly and does not leave any sticky nor heavy residue on my skin. Having tried so many whitening/brightening serums in the past, I had a healthy sense of scepticism when I first tried this out, but I was genuinely surprised by the visible brightening and plumping effect this had on my skin! It is the only thing I use most nights now, after cleanser and toner, and my skin has actually been the best it has ever been in a very long time. Some nights I tap on a couple of drops of this facial oil when I feel in need of a bit more pampering, but I always wake up to clear and happy skin.
It is always a good idea to apply sunscreen when using brightening skincare, and Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening UV Protector is a good one to consider. It features the highest UV protection grade of SPF50+/PA++++ to prevent photoaging. This UV Protector also contains Sulwhasoo’s proprietary Skin Coating Film Technology which prevents micro particles from environmental pollution from adhering to skin and causing pigmentation. White ginseng and other skin-loving plant extracts are included here as well.
There are 2 shades available – No. 1 Soft Glow looks white from the tube, but blends out colorless on the skin; and No. 2 Soft Peach has a pale peach tint to brighten and even out the complexion… great for those who are looking to skip the foundation!
INGREDIENTS [No. 1]: WATER, PROPANEDIOL, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, DIETHYLAMINO HYDROXYBENZOYL HEXYL BENZOATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, GLYCERIN, METHYL TRIMETHICONE, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SILICA, PAEONIA ALBIFLORA ROOT EXTRACT, NELUMBO NUCIFERA FLOWER EXTRACT, POLYGONATUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME/ROOT EXTRACT, LILIUM CANDIDUM BULB EXTRACT, REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT EXTRACT, HONEY, HYDROLYZED GINSENG SAPONINS(HYDROLYZED WHITE GINSENG SAPONINS), OLDENLANDIA DIFFUSA EXTRACT, OPUNTIA COCCINELLIFERA FRUIT EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, MORUS ALBA ROOT EXTRACT, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, C14-22 ALCOHOLS, CETYL ALCOHOL, METHOXY PEG-114/POLYEPSILON CAPROLACTONE, PEG-100 STEARATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, POLYACRYLATE-13, ALUMINA, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, POLYISOBUTENE, C12-20 ALKYL GLUCOSIDE, ALUMINUM STEARATE, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID, STEARIC ACID, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, CARBOMER, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, POLYSORBATE 20, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, FRAGRANCE
The soft-cream texture is lightweight, and blends out easily without leaving that dreaded white cast. I find that my makeup goes over more smoothly, and it does not cause my makeup to break down or crease as the day progresses. Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening UV Protector feels very comfortable on my dry skin, but those with very oily skin or who are running around in the hot sun very often may find it less comfortable than a water-based or gel texture. I should also point out that a couple of tiny pimples popped up on my skin after about 2 days’ continuous wear, which is something I often encounter with products containing high amounts of silicones, and a huge pity because I really enjoyed this UV Protector!
If you are looking for a new brightening product or even a complete range of skincare, I highly recommend trying out the Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum as well as the rest of the collection. It is not often that I find gentle, yet effective skincare that multi-tasks as well, and I have really enjoyed the plumping and hydrating benefits along with a more even skin tone!
This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
