Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum AD
Works for
MoisturizingMadecassoside, Betaine + 15 moreWorks well
“Together, they strengthen the skin barrier, boost hydration, and help defend against environmental stressors to minimize visible fine lines.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, biosaccharide gum-1.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: madecassoside
Anti-agingAdenosine, Madecassoside + 2 moreWorks well
“A powerhouse serum that addresses the look of existing fine lines while strengthening skin to help prevent future visible signs of aging.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: madecassoside.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Parfum + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
I have dry and sensitive skin. This serum is hydrating, it feels lightweight and absorbs so well into my skin, I love it! I also gave one to my friend as a gift (the have combination to dry skin) and they also loved it so far!
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~5.2–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butylene glycol~2.8–4.2%
- 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 glycolBetaine~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about Betaine1,2-hexanediol~0.8–1.2%
Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneGlyceryl polymethacrylate~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Glyceryl polymethacrylatePropanediol~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCarbomer~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPpg-13-decyltetradeceth-24~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Ppg-13-decyltetradeceth-24Tromethamine~0.35–0.8%
Glyceryl caprylate~0.2–0.75%
- 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 caprylateScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.3%
Parfum~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAdenosine~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineLimonene~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneDextrin~0.1–0.35%
- 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~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Methyl trimethicone~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps create a silky product finish and dissolve other ingredients
More about Methyl trimethiconeDisodium edta~0.05–0.15%
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCellulose gum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumCarrageenan~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
More about CarrageenanHoney~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyMadecassoside~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations
More about MadecassosideRehmannia glutinosa root extract~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentylene glycol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizate3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidTaurine~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Could be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, evening out the skin tone and neutralizing free radicals, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness
More about TaurineOphiopogon japonicus root extract~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Ophiopogon japonicus root extractPaeonia lactiflora root extract~0.01–0.05%
- 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~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linalool~0.01–0.05%
Polygonatum odoratum rhizome extract~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Biosaccharide gum-1~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Propylene glycol~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPanax ginseng root extract~0.05–0.15%
- 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 extractNelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.01–0.05%
Natto gum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Juglans regia seed extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prunus mume fruit extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that might have an anti-oxidant effect and help even out skin tone, but solid evidence of effectiveness is lacking
More about Prunus mume fruit extractCitronellol~0.01–0.05%
Citral~0.01–0.05%
Geraniol~0.01–0.05%
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.01–0.05%
- 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 lecithinTocopherol~0.01–0.05%
- 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 TocopherolCitric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Butylene glycol, Betaine, 1,2-hexanediol, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Glyceryl polymethacrylate, Propanediol, Carbomer, Ppg-13-decyltetradeceth-24, Tromethamine, Glyceryl caprylate, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Adenosine, Limonene, Dextrin, Theobroma cacao extract, Methyl trimethicone, Disodium edta, Xanthan gum, Cellulose gum, Carrageenan, Honey, Madecassoside, Rehmannia glutinosa root extract, Pentylene glycol, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Taurine, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract, Paeonia lactiflora root extract, Lilium candidum bulb extract, Linalool, Polygonatum odoratum rhizome extract, Biosaccharide gum-1, Propylene glycol, Panax ginseng root extract, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Natto gum, Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract, Juglans regia seed extract, Prunus mume fruit extract, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol, Hydrogenated lecithin, Tocopherol, Citric acid
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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.
| SulwhasooFirst Care Activating Serum ADYOUR PRODUCT | AbibGlutathione Vitamin C SERUM for Dark Spot care & Skin Glow | EqqualberryAloe PDRN Calming Serum 30ml | SupereggTonal Scenery Reparative Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 65% | 65% | 65% |
| Price | $25.00 | $32.00+$7.00 | $20.58−$4.42 | $72.00+$47.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Baciel Hydra Barrier Cica SerumBLANC DIVA Rebirth Serum
Product summary
"Sulwhasoo - First Care Activating Serum AD" is effective for: Anti-aging and Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Adenosine 0.05% - 0.25%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
- Actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (also known as Gotu Kola) - madecassoside 0.01% - 0.05% The Centella Asiatica Actives help strengthen and restore the skin barrier, decrease inflammation in skin and neutralize free radicals. They also can help to reduce scarring. The good news is that these actives work even in low concentrations.
- Humectants (biosaccharide gum-1 0.01% - 0.05% and betaine 2.00% - 3.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 104.00A$ up to 276.95A$ in Australia, from 25.00$ up to 117.00$ in the United States, from 33.00CA$ up to 145.00CA$ in Canada, for 79.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 136.00NZ$ in New Zealand.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 30 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3
- 4Flavonoids in Treating Psoriasissciencedirect.com
- 5
- 6
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