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Shop Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream Rich
Moisturizer
Sulwhasoo

Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream Rich

~$260
Dark spotsAcneFine lines & firmnessDryness

What it's good for

Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.

  • RetinolStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    Speeds up how fast your skin renews itself so old, dull cells shed faster and fresher skin shows through. Builds collagen over time, smoothing fine lines.

    Good for: Anti-aging

  • Salicylic AcidStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.

    Good for: Anti-acne, Exfoliating

  • Vitamin CStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.

    Good for: Brightening, Antioxidant

  • Panax GinsengStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A staple in Hanbang (traditional Korean medicine) skincare. It's packed with antioxidants and ginsenosides that help firm the skin, boost circulation, and defend against environmental aging.

    Good for: Anti-aging, Antioxidant, Barrier repair

  • ArgirelineModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    Sometimes called "topical Botox," it's a peptide that subtly reduces the depth of expression lines around the eyes and forehead when used daily over months. Mild effect, but real.

    Good for: Anti-aging

  • Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

    Good for: Hydrating

New to this? Patch test on your inner arm for 24 to 48 hours before applying to your face. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, start 2 to 3 times per week and build up slowly.

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

RetinolStrong evidence11 citations

Speeds up how fast your skin renews itself so old, dull cells shed faster and fresher skin shows through. Builds collagen over time, smoothing fine lines.

SCCS Revision of the Scientific Opinion on Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate), SCCS/1639/21, final version adopted 24-25 October 2022

2022Safety assessmentSCCS/1639/21View source ↗

Chien AL et al. Biomarkers of Tretinoin Precursors and Tretinoin Efficacy in Patients With Moderate to Severe Facial Photodamage: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatology. 2022;158(8):892-900. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.1891 — RCT comparing topical retinol precursors vs tretinoin for photoaging; both showed equivalent wrinkle reduction at week 24 with retinol formulation causing 6x less erythema than tretinoin.

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35675051View source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Retinol (anti-wrinkle). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — listed alongside Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, and Polyethoxylated Retinamide in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex anti-wrinkle category

2020Regulatory approvalMFDS:Retinol-AntiWrinkleView source ↗
Salicylic AcidStrong evidence9 citations

Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.

Liu Y et al., Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(7):e70353 — salicylic acid gel reduced acne lesions, regulated sebum, improved hydration and barrier function

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:40682377View source ↗

Ye R et al., 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapalene gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024;23(6):2125-2134 — 2% SSA hydrogel was equally effective as adapalene gel for mild-to-moderate acne

2024Positive (efficacy)PMID:38590107View source ↗

Brumley C et al. Allergic contact dermatitis to salicylic acid: A case series of relevant sensitization. Contact Dermatitis. 2024;91(2):133-138. doi:10.1111/cod.14573 — Case series of 489 patch-tested patients (2020-2024): 21 positive reactions to salicylic acid. Documents that ACD to SA is likely underreported; testing at 5% concentration feasible.

2024Safety assessmentPMID:38686774View source ↗
Vitamin CStrong evidence15 citations

Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.

Krutmann J et al. PINGing Sunshine: A Review of the Evidence for Adding Non-Filtering Photoprotective Ingredients to Sunscreens. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2025;41(6). — Review of Photoprotective INGredients (PINGs); L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) identified as a top-ranked PING demonstrating efficacy across multiple photodamage endpoints.

2025Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:41152208View source ↗

Pullar JM et al., The roles of vitamin C in skin health, Nutrients 2017;9(8):866 — concluded topical efficacy "poorly understood"; supports dietary vitamin C

2017Mechanism onlyPMID:28805671View source ↗

Lee JH et al., Effects of VitabridC12 on Skin Inflammation, Annals of Dermatology 2017

2017Mechanism onlyPMID:28966510View source ↗
+3 more ingredients
Panax GinsengStrong evidence5 citations

A staple in Hanbang (traditional Korean medicine) skincare. It's packed with antioxidants and ginsenosides that help firm the skin, boost circulation, and defend against environmental aging.

Jung SW et al., Protective Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Against Oxidative Stress-Induced Damage in Human Hair, Annals of Dermatology 2025

2025Mechanism onlyPMID:39894668View source ↗

Kim H et al., The Beneficial Effect of Korean Red Ginseng Extract on Atopic Dermatitis Patients: An 8 Weeks Open, Noncomparative Clinical Study, Annals of Dermatology 2018

2018Positive (efficacy)PMID:29853744View source ↗

Park HM et al., A single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the efficacy and safety of enzyme-treated red ginseng powder complex (BG11001) for antiwrinkle and proelasticity in individuals with healthy skin, Journal of Ginseng Research 2016

2016Positive (efficacy)PMID:27616902View source ↗
ArgirelineModerate evidence6 citations

Sometimes called "topical Botox," it's a peptide that subtly reduces the depth of expression lines around the eyes and forehead when used daily over months. Mild effect, but real.

Zhu M et al., The effect of a serum containing acetyl hexapeptide-8, dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate and gluconolactone on skin biomarkers, wrinkles and skin texture: ex vivo and clinical studies, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2026 — two clinical trials (n=50, n=42) showed 35-69% static wrinkle improvement and significant elastic fiber and collagen biomarker increases at 12 weeks

2026Positive (efficacy)PMID:41668671View source ↗

Zdrada-Nowak J, Surgiel-Gemza A, Szatkowska M, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 in Cosmeceuticals: A Review of Skin Permeability and Efficacy, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025

2025InconclusivePMID:40565185View source ↗

Henseler H, Investigating the effects of Argireline in a skin serum containing hyaluronic acids on skin surface wrinkles using the Visia Complexion Analysis camera system, GMS Interdisciplinary Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery DGPW 2023;12:Doc09 — topical argireline serum reduced measured surface wrinkles

2023Positive (efficacy)PMID:38024099View source ↗
Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidence7 citations

A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

Karabat MU, Tuncer MC. Effects of hyaluronic acid on skin at the cellular level: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2025;71(8):e20250208. — Systematic review of 45 studies found low-molecular-weight HA stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration while high-molecular-weight HA drives skin hydration, supporting topical HA as an effective skin-hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredient.

2025Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:40990743View source ↗

Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging

2022Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:36200921View source ↗

Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:33911737View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.

Full ingredient list

Everything on the package label, not just the tracked actives above.

Drying alcohol freeSulfates freeParabens free
  • Contains fragrance: Fragrance/​Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl IononeWorth knowing if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
  • Contains silicones: Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/​PPG-10/​1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG/​PPG-18/​18 Methicone, DimethiconolNo irritancy evidence. CIR rates this safe as used; some shoppers avoid it by preference.
+Show all 81 ingredients

Listed in the order printed on the package. By regulation, ingredients at 1% or higher are listed in descending order by concentration, so the first entry is the largest part of the formula.

  1. Water/​Aqua/​Eau
  2. Glycerin
  3. Squalane
  4. Butylene Glycol
  5. Trehalose
  6. Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
  7. Caprylyl Methicone
  8. Glyceryl Stearate
  9. Dimethicone
  10. Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
  11. Octyldodecyl Myristate
  12. PEG-40 Stearate
  13. Phytosteryl/​Behenyl/​Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
  14. Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
  15. Jojoba Esters
  16. Palmitic Acid
  17. PEG-100 Stearate
  18. Stearic Acid
  19. Propanediol
  20. Methoxy PEG-114/​Polyepsilon Caprolactone
  21. Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter
  22. Polyacrylate-13
  23. Cetearyl Alcohol
  24. Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
  25. Phenoxyethanol
  26. PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
  27. Cetyl PEG/​PPG-10/​1 Dimethicone
  28. Fragrance/​Parfum
  29. Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
  30. Propylene Glycol
  31. Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
  32. Polyisobutene
  33. Acetyl Glucosamine
  34. Panax Ginseng Root Extract
  35. Polyquaternium-51
  36. Tocopherol
  37. Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/​Copernicia Cerifera Cera/​Cire De Carnauba
  38. Tocopheryl Linoleate
  39. Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
  40. Hexyl Laurate
  41. Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
  42. Pantethine
  43. Salicylic Acid
  44. Lauryl PEG/​PPG-18/​18 Methicone
  45. Ethylhexylglycerin
  46. Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
  47. Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Leaf Extract
  48. Polysorbate 20
  49. Linalool
  50. Sorbitan Isostearate
  51. 1,2-Hexanediol
  52. Beta-Glucan
  53. Retinol
  54. Sodium Metaphosphate
  55. Dextrin
  56. Dimethiconol
  57. Sodium Hyaluronate
  58. Phytosphingosine
  59. Mannitol
  60. Limonene
  61. Isostearyl Alcohol
  62. Sodium Chloride
  63. Ascorbyl Palmitate
  64. Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate
  65. Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
  66. Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
  67. Panax Ginseng Flower Extract
  68. Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract
  69. Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
  70. Lecithin
  71. Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
  72. Lilium Tigrinum Bulb Extract
  73. Tbhq
  74. Caprylyl Glycol
  75. Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
  76. Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
  77. Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
  78. Hexapeptide-9
  79. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
  80. Sodium Hydroxide
  81. Acetyl Octapeptide-3

Layering conflicts

Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.

  • Retinol + glycolic acid is a classic barrier-buster. Use on different nights.

  • Tretinoin + salicylic acid — major irritation risk. Strict separation required.

  • Retinol + lactic acid is gentler than glycolic but still alternate nights to be safe.

  • Retinol + mandelic acid — alternate nights to preserve barrier integrity.

  • Benzoyl peroxide can break down retinol. Use one in the morning and the other at night, or pick a stabilized formula made to combine them.

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Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.