I am really into Korean skincare, and I’m fascinated with the Korean 10 Step Method (although it can be up to fourteen steps) because it is so different from where we are coming from here in the western part of the world.! Korean women are taught these skincare rituals when they are young children, as well as the importance of taking care of their skin. Skincare is a way of life for the Eastern women. Our skincare, on the other hand, is a three or four step method, we wash, we tone, and we moisturize , and occasionally we’ll add a serum. We learn our method in our late twenties, or early thirties, usually after we discover our first wrinkle. Have you noticed how beautiful the Asian women’s skin is? Well, now you know why! It can be an effort for us, in the west, just to take our makeup off before we get into bed!
Enter the Korean brand, Sulwhasoo, a brand that is extremely popular, and well thought of in the East, one reason being their outstanding serums. Their newest product, Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum ex ($84) is actually the fourth generation of this serum. The prototype serum was developed in 1997, and became one of Korea’s best selling skincare products for 18 years. It was called First Care Activating Serum. The new formula added ex to the end of the name.
The new formula incorporates Sulwhasoo’s unique ingredient, The JUAM Balancing Complex. It brings balance to the skin, while leaving it radiant,and has been upgraded using PREXtract technology. The herbs in this mix are Peony, Saved Lotus, Solomon’s Seal, White Lily and Rehmania, They are great for boosting and improving cell regeneration, as well as improving the skin’s barrier function, clarity, transparency and elasticity.
First Activating Serum ex is what I (being from the west) would call a pre-serum because you apply this serum first, before you apply the rest of your serums, masks, moisturizers, and other potions. 
You do this so that it boosts the efficacy of all of your other skincare products. When I learned that this is what First Care Activating Serum was all about, I screamed SOLD! Sulwhasoo claims that this serum will boost the moisture, refine, balance and replenish the nutrients in the skin. All good reason to buy it. But, what I really loved most about the product was the concept that it would makes all of my other essential serums more effective. For me, this is reason enough to try this, and it is worth another step. Why wouldn’t we want all of our potions to work to their optimal capacities?
I love that it comes in a pump dispensing bottle, so no product is wasted. Especially because the texture of the serum is a bit watery.
I’ve been using this for about two weeks, in the morning and the evening, and I am seeing results. My skin feels moist, and it looks more refined, the texture of my skin actually looks better, and I feel that my skin has more elasticity. 
I really believe that this product is working, even if the only thing it is doing is making my other products more effective. It is so worth it! And, if these JAUM herbs are creating this balance, more power to it and to Sulwhasoo!
YOU ARE AWESOME!
Stop by to say hi in the comments below, and let me know what you think about your products and the amount of steps you take in your skincare routine.
xoxoxo
Sookie and Sylvie
