Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“A supercharged anti-aging under eye cream formulated with potent actives from the red ginseng plant that visibly firms, reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and helps strengthen thin under-eye skin in one shot.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl octapeptide-3.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Moisturizing19 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“- Compound K: An antioxidant-rich compound extracted from Korean red ginseng to minimize the appearance of lines and boost moisture while protecting skin against future signs of aging.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, honey.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl octapeptide-3, phytosphingosine
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, paeonia lactiflora root extract.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Parfum, Linalool + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Squalane~5.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneButylene glycol~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPolyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~2.9–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateDimethicone~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePropanediol~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCetyl ethylhexanoate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateGlyceryl stearate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCetearyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPhytosteryl isostearyl dimer dilinoleate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Behenyl alcohol~0.9–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcohol1,2-hexanediol~0.65–0.95%
Glycerin~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinHydrogenated castor oil isostearate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panax ginseng root water~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyacrylate-13~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Polyacrylate-13Silica~0.7–1.05%
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymerPolyisobutene~0.5–0.75%
Hydrolyzed ginseng saponins~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that might help calm down inflammation in skin and neutralize free radicals, but effectiveness of topical application is not confirmed. Can be an allergen
More about Hydrolyzed ginseng saponinsGlyceryl caprylate~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateGlycine soja oil~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilParfum~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPolymethyl methacrylate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.65%
Disodium edta~0.35–0.65%
Polysorbate 20~0.4–0.65%
Thymol trimethoxycinnamate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbitan isostearate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateDextrin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinTheobroma cacao extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Linalool~0.3–0.6%
Retinol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolPanax ginseng root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractSodium chloride~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideHoney~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyLimonene~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneHydrogenated lecithin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinRehmannia glutinosa root extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panax ginseng flower extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Paeonia lactiflora root extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Paeonia lactiflora root extractLilium candidum bulb extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polygonatum odoratum rhizome extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bht~0.3–0.6%
Nelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.3–0.55%
Phytosphingosine~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
More about PhytosphingosineSodium polyaspartate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
More about Sodium polyaspartateCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTocopherol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSodium methyl stearoyl taurate~0.45–0.7%
Acetyl heptapeptide-4~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractAcetyl hexapeptide-8~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-8Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Acetyl octapeptide-3~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl octapeptide-3Ingredient list view
Water, Squalane, Butylene glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Phytosteryl isostearyl dimer dilinoleate, Behenyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated castor oil isostearate, Panax ginseng root water, Polyacrylate-13, Silica, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, Hydrolyzed ginseng saponins, Glyceryl caprylate, Glycine soja oil, Parfum, Polymethyl methacrylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Polysorbate 20, Thymol trimethoxycinnamate, Sorbitan isostearate, Dextrin, Theobroma cacao extract, Linalool, Retinol, Panax ginseng root extract, Sodium chloride, Honey, Limonene, Hydrogenated lecithin, Rehmannia glutinosa root extract, Panax ginseng flower extract, Paeonia lactiflora root extract, Lilium candidum bulb extract, Polygonatum odoratum rhizome extract, Bht, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Phytosphingosine, Sodium polyaspartate, Caprylyl glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, Acetyl heptapeptide-4, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Sodium hydroxide, Acetyl octapeptide-3
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| SulwhasooConcentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye CreamYOUR PRODUCT | MamondeAge Control Power Lift Eye Cream | It CosmeticsConfidence in an Eye Cream | KLAVUURejuve Pearlsation Multi Pearl Peptide Eye Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 83% | 83% |
| Price | $140.00 | $33.70−$106.30 | $39.00−$101.00 | $16.85−$123.15 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Sulwhasoo - Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream" works well for improving skin hydration This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Humectants in this product (acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl octapeptide-3, glycerin, honey and mel) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (phytosphingosine, glycine soja oil, dimethicone, squalane and cetearyl alcohol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.30% - 0.60%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily. Because of the irritation risk of Retinoids, we recommend to have another, retinoid-free moisturizer in your routine to use on the alternate days or when your skin feels dry.
- Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (phytosphingosine 0.35% - 0.65%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (acetyl octapeptide-3 0.10% - 0.20% and acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.15% - 0.30%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 212.00A$ up to 330.00A$ in Australia, from 140.00$ up to 180.00$ in the United States, from 123.20£ up to 157.00£ in the United Kingdom and from 215.60CA$ up to 242.60CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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