DEFYING GRAVITY
Researchers have long delved into the medicinal, mineral, flora and fauna for ingredients that go into skincare. Holistic beauty brand Sulwhasoo leads the way by combining technology with the humble red pine and red ginseng
buying a face cream is not so simple anymore. There are exact products to address specific needs — first care, toner, moisturiser, cream, serum, and the list goes on. On top of selecting the correct products, there are specific massage techniques to boost absorption of the formulas. To this end, Sulwhasoo has invested time and money on research and development into the technology and ingredients that go into their products.
Red pine, or pinus resinosa, is known for its resilience to harsh weather conditions. It is a longlived pine tree, reaching a maximum age of about 1,000 years. Korea’s traditional medical literature, Donguibogam, says no part of the pine tree goes to waste. The root, cones, needles, pine pollen and even the poria cocos (a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been widely accepted in modern medicine to treat inflammation) living on the root of the red pine offer precious energy.
Over five decades of research into medicinal herbs, Sulwhasoo identified these precious ingredients from the red pine and recently launched its luxurious Timetreasure EX line.
Sulwhasoo claims its Timetreasure EX is a comprehensive anti-ageing formula that addresses skin ageing at its root through DAA ( De-aging Active) ingredients identified in the red pine. The DAA exists in a minuscule amount in Korean red pine and aims to remove traces of ageing and ageing factors, revitalising the skin to tackle the
ageing process, which sets off chain reactions and accelerates once it starts.
The line comprises of seven products — Timetreasure Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam, Timetreasure Renovating Water EX, Timetreasure Renovating Eye Serum, Timetreasure Renovating Eye Cream EX, Timetreasure Renovating Emulsion EX, Timetreasure Renovating Serum EX, Timetreasure Renovating Cream EX. Textures are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin to revive vitality, to promote cellular regeneration, as well as to firm and sculpt. In case you wonder what EX means, well, the products have enhanced formulas for better efficacy.
One star product from Sulwhasoo’s beauty arsenal is the Harmonizen Regenerating Cream EX. This luxurious herbal medicinal cream was created to help brighten skin and soften fine lines through its proprietary Dermosul technology, Korean salvia miltiorrhiza ( Korean red sage shows six to seven times stronger dermatological effects compared to the Chinese variety), as well as red and white ginseng components. Red ginseng is revered for saponin content, which is known for its immunity boosting, cellular regenerating and antiageing properties. And the Korean red ginseng contains about 40 percent more saponin.
Containing six natural Korean herbal scents — mugwort, pine, clove, frankincense, white sandalwood, betony — the rich and firm texture melts and absorbs evenly into the skin. This helps strengthen skin barrier and epidermal structures, maintains hydration, and suppresses harmful melanin for a brightening effect.
A customised obsidian spatula carved like a seed to symbolise vitality is also included as the applicator for this cream. It helps prevent the oxidisation of the ingredients. First, you scoop up some of the cream to spread over your face. Then, to “awaken” the skin, press it onto various meridian points along the brows, forehead, temples and lips. Using one side of the spatula, massage your face in sections to stimulate the muscles and promote the flow of energy all over. Finally, use the hollow of the spatula to rub in circular motions from the chin upwards to the temples, to leave skin feeling and looking firmer.