[REVIEW] Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum , Is It Worth The Splurge?

If you're Korean skincare lovers, I am pretty sure you're familiar with SULWHASOO, high-end skincare brand with its popular traditional herbal ingredients. As one of Korean A-listed brand, they offer plenty of amazing products especially their best-selling, First Care Activating Serum. Like many others, who doesn't get attracted to it - as many people has reviewed it as "Best Skincare", even though it's not actually typical serum which being used after toner, but as pre-serum or booster. So, is it worth the splurge and hype? What is actually the benefit to our skin? Keep reading the article below as I am going to spill my opinion toward this product!

WHAT IT IS:

First Care Activating Serum Gen.5 is Sulwhasoo's best selling product, formulated with JAUM Activator (anti-aging golden ratio) to make skin looks healthier and awake natural radiance from deep within, activating the master of skin's universe, caring the skin's most essential element to fight against the sign of aging. It claims that after 8 weeks of use, it makes skin looks radiant.

HOW TO USE:

Cleansing Foam -> First Care Activating Serum -> Toner -> Serum -> Emulsion -> Eye Cream -> Cream. Use it in the morning and/or evening, dispense 2-3 pumps of serum onto palm, inhale the scent, spread the serum along the grain of skin with fingers, then wrap face with palms to help absorption.

PACKAGING:

Elegant, sturdy ceramic pump bottle comes with paper box and user guide (available in several languages).

TEXTURE:

Light, watery red-brown color with super calming, delicate herbal scent.

REVIEW:

As you can see from the picture above, my skin condition was not super good these days (thanks to PMS), so I started to use this FCAS mostly every evening before I go to bed, then continue with other skincare following. It absorbs quickly and also helps other skincare (ampoule, eye cream, cream) to absorb quicker into my skin. I truly love the scent and it doesn't leave sticky feeling. After around 2 weeks using FCAS following with skincare to treat acne, the redness is reduced, acnes are slowly faded, skin gets more hydrated and brighter - overall my skin feels healthier! Oh, however, this product may contain alcohol and fragrance, so for some people who has super sensitive skin, it could be a concern.

PROS:

Elegant, sturdy packaging
Aromateraphy herbal scent
Absorbs quickly
Doesn't leave sticky feeling
Maintain skin barrier
Helps to make skin healthier and more hydrated

CONS:

It might not be able to be used for all skin type as it contains alcohol and fragrance

I never thought pre-serum a.k.a booster serum is needed in skincare routine, but I finally prove it's essential to maintain skin's health, thanks to FCAS! I know it might be overpriced for some people, but if you're looking for skincare to maximize your skincare result, First Care Activating Serum is the answer indeed - you can easily find it in Sulwhasoo's offline store (department store and boutique), E-commerce, and Sulwhasoo's Brand Mall.

PAO : 12 months

Rating : 5 out of 5 (highly recommended!)

Price : IDR 1.350.000 (around $91) / 60ml

(Also available in 30ml, 90ml, and 120ml)