
When people think about Sulwhasoo, the very first product that comes to mind is the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum. It’s because it’s the most popular product—in fact, it sells so well that 1 bottle is sold every 10 seconds in South Korea. That already makes this serum sound very promising. Let’s now get into the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum review.
We should remember that this product is used for balancing, rehydrating, and radiating the skin. Sounds like a dream for mature, dry, acne-prone skin but other skin types are also welcome to use this product.
Simple yet Luxurious
When looking at the serum, precisely the packaging, it looks very simple yet luxurious, which is my favorite type of packaging. The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum comes in a white bottle with an orange lid.
Under the lid, you can see a golden color, this is what makes it feel so luxurious to me.
Rich and Pleasant Floral Scent
After applying some of the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum on the palm of my hand, I noticed right off the bat that it has a rich but very nice, herbal smell. It reminds me of a soft, almost-citrus scent.
The scent is a bit floral, but I find it to be pleasant and really like it.
Fast Absorption While Feeling Sexy
The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum has a soft brown color and watery consistency that sinks in right away on contact with the skin. The feeling isn’t sticky. This serum feels very sexy, this may be due to the smell or how it gets absorbed super nicely, anyways, I love it.
It spreads out very smoothly even in very moderate quantities and dries down remarkably fast. This is thanks to both the alcohol content and the general lightness of the product.
Hydrating and Lightweight
It is also notable to mention that my skin felt immediately hydrated when applying the serum. I felt a calming, very soothing effect, which I find very pleasurable, almost like your own personal spa day.
The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is very hydrating, without the feeling of it being heavy, plus it layers well with other products. It does remind me more of an essence than a serum since it has a lightweight almost watery consistency.
Healthy Moisturized Skin
After a week my skin had a nice glow, and looked more even, my pores were smaller and it just felt really moisturizing. Overall my skin is healthier looking, less oily, and softer. The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum keeps my face moisturized all day.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is a dream come true for true Hanbang cosmetics lovers. This First Care Activating Serum is an anti-aging product that claims to hydrate, balance, and revitalize skin.
It is best suited for all skin types and great for all ages. This serum delivers the perfect combination of ingredients for optimized anti-aging and hydrating benefits.
The results can be seen in just 4 weeks, while some have said to notice a difference in just 3 days. The First Care Activating Serum promises a healthy new glow and noticeably clearer, balanced, more beautiful, healthy-looking skin.
What Is Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is a Korean anti-aging serum. This serum is seen by many as a magic elixir, a layer that adds that much-needed bounciness and firmness to the skin.
Every product from Sulwhasoo works to balance out the skin. Unlike pure chemical-based K-beauty skincare products, this serum is botanical and herb-based. These herbs and extracts are all used in traditional Asian medicine.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum sells for $89 and comes in 60ml.
Why Use Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is used for:
- Anti-aging
- Balancing
- Hydrating
- Optimizing other skincare steps
The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is ranked #1 in the anti-aging category at department stores for six consecutive years.

Who Should Use the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
From what I have gathered so far, the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is for all skin types and ages. The serum is recommended for dry, sensitive, mature, oily, and combination skin. It helps with dehydration, dullness, and sensitivity.
This serum has a booster function, which means better absorption for other products. Since using this, I notice my skin is glowing and I haven’t noticed my skin breaking out as much. I really do feel that it helps your other skincare products work better.
If glass skin is your ultimate goal, this serum works. The serum also improves skin tone and helps a little bit with hyperpigmentation.
How to Use Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
Before buying the product, you should probably know how to use Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum. This serum is used as the first step in your beauty routine.
- The serum is applied right after cleansing
- Apply 1 pump of the serum to the face
- Gently pat the serum in for maximum absorption
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 60ml
The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 60ml is the most popular among the Sulwhasoo Activating Serums. It is said to last up to 6 months when applied once a day. I would recommend this size to anyone who is traveling or first trying out this product.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 90ml
The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 90ml comes in a bottle size that you might be happy with when you have been using this product for a while and already know it works great for your skin. It’s not too much bigger than the 60ml variant but it lasts longer.
If you are looking for something longer-lasting and that doesn’t take as much space as the 120 ml variant, then the 90ml is perfect for that.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 120ml
The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 120ml is the largest size and you will not be disappointed with how long it can last. It can last up to a year, depending on how much you use it. It is considerably bigger than the 60ml one.
This size will take up more space in your bag if you are traveling but I think it’s easier to get a bigger bottle so you don’t have to replace it with a newer bottle that soon.
If you know this serum is for you, you should definitely get the 120ml bottle since it will end up saving you money.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Ingredients
Before applying anything to your precious skin, you need to know what it is exactly that you’re putting on. The full Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum ingredients are listed below. I know from previous experience that the wrong ingredients can permanently damage my skin—I’m sure you are just as cautious, if not more cautious than I am about what the ingredients are.
Peony
- Treats inflammation
- Soothes irritation
- Reduces pigmentation
Sacred Lotus
- Promotes cell regeneration
- Fights inflammation
- Balances sebum
White Lily
- Eliminates toxins
- Promotes skin renewal
- Provides hydration
Solomon’s Seal
- Balances pH levels
- Promotes wound healing
- Calms inflammation
Sensitivities Regarding the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
The Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is formulated without Sulfates, Parabens but contains Alcohol, Fragrance, and Citric Acid.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Full Ingredients List
Water/Aqua/Eau, 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 (Licorice) Root Extract, Fragrance/Parfum, Honey / Mel / Miel, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) 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 (Carrageenan), Linalool, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Natto Gum, Citronellol, Citral, Propylene Glycol, Geraniol, Chlorphenesin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol
Where to Buy Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
The brand is available in various duty-free shops and feels like a luxury to own. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum is widely available online at:
References:
- A comparison of the effects of topical green tea and Lotus on facial sebum control in healthy humans