Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum versus Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum .
Last updated on October 27, 2023. Published on February 26, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 21 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum 40 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum 40 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum 40 ingredients
Rosa Damascena Flower Water • Butylene Glycol • Alcohol • Glycerin • Betaine • Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane • Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Carbomer • Tromethamine • Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract • Parfum • Honey • Juglans Regia Seed Extract • Theobroma Cacao Extract • Dextrin • Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract • Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract • Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract • Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract • Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin • Portulaca Oleracea Extract • Limonene • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Disodium EDTA • Phenyl Trimethicone • Chondrus Crispus • Linalool • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Ziziphus Jujuba Leaf Extract • Natto Gum • Citronellol • Citral • Propylene Glycol • Geraniol • Chlorphenesin • Hydrogenated Lecithin • BHT • Sodium Dehydroacetate • Potassium Sorbate • Citric Acid • Sorbic Acid • Tocopherol
Rosa Damascena Flower Water • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil • Methyl Gluceth-20 • Betaine • Behenyl Alcohol • Methoxy Peg-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone • Carbomer • Jojoba Esters • Tromethamine • Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins • Parfum • Glyceryl Caprylate • Sucrose Polystearate • Phenoxyethanol • Honey • Ethylhexylglycerin • Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract • Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract • Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract • Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract • Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract • Dextrin • Theobroma Cacao Extract • Disodium EDTA • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Panax Ginseng Seed Oil • Linalool • Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract • Benzyl Benzoate • 1,2-Hexanediol • Panax Ginseng Flower Extract • Tocopherol • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Phytosphingosine • Sodium Polyaspartate • Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Rosa Damascena Flower Water comes from the Damask rose. It is a dilluted version of the Rose Essential oil.
The Damask Roses' petals have been found to help sooth skin. The petals also contain antioxidant compounds.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. This may help reduce the signs of aging.
The fragrance of Rosa Damascena Flower Water may be used for masking. Masking ingredients are used to obscure or block properties of other ingredients. They are commonly used to block the scent of a product.
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower WaterSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
Betaine is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies show betaine may help with uneven skin tones.
Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The form found within cosmetic products can be either plant-dervied or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
Honey comes from bees. It is mainly made up of fructose and glucose. Honey also contains amino acids, peptides, Vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamins A, C, and E all offer numerous skin benefits.
Honey is hydrating, antibacterial, anti-aging, and skin soothing.
The humectant property of honey makes it great at helping to hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin.
Honey may help reduce the signs of aging due to its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help protect your skin against free-radical molecules. If left unchecked, these molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Fun fact: darker honey is a antioxidant than light honey.
The antibacterial property of honey may make it effective at helping to treat acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Many people wonder if honey is vegan. It is technically a byproduct from bees. This is because honey is created from the digestive enzymes in a bee's stomach.
Remember to be kind to bees :) They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about HoneySulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
This ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree.
Cacao seeds contain antioxidants known as polyphenols. These include flavonoids, procyanidins, and epicatechins.
Studies show these polyphenols help improve skin health.
The more famous ingredient from cocoa tree is cocoa butter.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao ExtractSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
We don't have a description for Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
We don't have a description for Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
We don't have a description for Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
We don't have a description for Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract comes from the Lotus Flower, Nelumbiumspeciosum.
Lotus flower extract has antioxidant properties from compounds such as flavonoids. Antioxidants may help reduce the signs of aging.
In traditional Asian medicine, Lotus flower seeds were used to help treat inflammation.
Learn more about Nelumbo Nucifera Flower ExtractSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within.
The phospholipids in Hydrogenated Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier to be better absorbed.
As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 42.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 48.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum 40 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum 40 ingredients
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