🇪🇸Spain

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum for oily acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • This serum offers moderate plumping and firming benefits for your oily skin, with acetyl heptapeptide-4 and acetyl hexapeptide-8 providing these effects, while Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil offers emollient action without exacerbating oiliness.
  • While it provides general hydration and soothing from ingredients like honey and ginseng extracts, it lacks targeted ingredients to specifically address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The formulation is safe for your oily skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like honey and ginseng extracts.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
  • Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.

People Say

★4.2Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

Users with aging, dry, or dull skin consistently report that this serum delivers visible improvements in firmness, elasticity, and overall radiance. While the herbal scent is polarizing, the majority of reviewers describe it as a luxurious, lightweight addition to their routine that effectively smooths fine lines and deeply hydrates without leaving a sticky residue.

Highlights

  • Fast Absorption Mostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost instantly”
    • “sinks deep into skin”
    • “lightweight and non-greasy”
  • High Price Mostly Mentioned
    • “Outrageously priced”
    • “wallet hurts”
    • “wish it was cheaper”
  • Deep Hydration Often Mentioned
    • “Skin drinks it up”
    • “baby soft skin”
    • “deep and long-lasting hydration”
  • Radiant Glow Often Mentioned
    • “100% glowier”
    • “radiant glow”
    • “face looks smooth and glowy”
  • Visible Firming Often Mentioned
    • “Skin feels bouncier”
    • “noticed firmness after usage”
    • “tightens my skin”
  • Luxurious Scent Sometimes Noted
    • “Smells like a spa”
    • “love the ginseng scent”
    • “very luxurious and herbal”
  • Strong Scent Sometimes Noted
    • “Scent is quite intense”
    • “unpleasant herbal smell”
    • “too strong for me”
  • Skin Reactions Rarely Noted
    • “Caused small CCs”
    • “tiny blemishes popped up”
    • “broke me out”
  • Small Quantity Rarely Noted
    • “Finished too quickly”
    • “expensive for the size”
    • “wish bottle was bigger”

Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, sephora.my, sephora.sg, sephora.com.au, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum works moderately well for oily skin, providing firmness and hydration without adding extra oil, though it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts. A treatment for this skin needs ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C to clear blemishes, along with oil-controlling components and soothing extracts to keep the face balanced.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum fits your oily acne-prone skin moderately well through acetyl heptapeptide-4, acetyl hexapeptide-8, and a seed oil that provides moisture without making your skin greasy. Because it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, Vitamin C, and propolis to properly manage oil, blemishes, and uneven texture.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013

What does Panax Ginseng Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?

Panax ginseng extract helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing redness and oxidized oil while improving blemish symptoms. Clinical studies show that regular use can help balance acne-prone skin and support a clearer, smoother complexion.

Phytotherapy Research, 2019

What does Ginseng do for oily acne-prone skin?

Ginseng may help reduce skin redness and clear up early-stage breakouts by calming irritation and fighting blemish-causing bacteria. However, certain forms like red ginseng oil can increase sebum production, which means oily skin types may need to check the specific product formulation to avoid clogged pores and worsened acne.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Annals of Dermatology, 2021

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine. To better care for oily acne-prone skin, this type of product needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components.

Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?

You can use this treatment with vitamin C, applying your vitamin C in the morning and saving this serum for your evening routine. This helps your skin tolerate active ingredients safely while avoiding potential irritation from layering multiple potent treatments at the same time.

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a day. This serum works for your skin, though an oily and acne-prone skin type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing agents to manage breakouts effectively.

Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily acne-prone skin because it contains no harsh ingredients and uses oils that do not increase oiliness. However, since it lacks targeted ingredients for acne and blemishes, this skin type needs a product that also includes acne-fighting components to properly manage breakouts.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It contains fragrance (parfum) and drying alcohol (alcohol).

What the research says

  • Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013

  • Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013

  • Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.

    Annals of Dermatology, 2019

  • A mixture of Panax ginseng and Crataegus pinnatifida prevented skin aging by improving procollagen type I expression, diminishing matrix metalloproteinase-1 secretion, reducing skin roughness and photodamage scores, and decreasing loss of skin moisture in human dermal fibroblasts and healthy human skin.

    Journal of Ginseng Research, 2017

  • Enzyme-modified ginseng extract cream significantly reduced the global photo-damage score and various roughness measures including total roughness, smoothness depth, and arithmetic roughness average compared to placebo in 23 human subjects.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2015

  • A red ginseng hydrogel formulation with 1,2-hexanediol promoted selective growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and decreased Cutibacterium acnes in 20 female subjects.

    Journal of Ginseng Research, 2022

  • A 1% fermented black ginseng cream significantly reduced eye wrinkles and brightened skin color in twenty-three human subjects compared to control cream and baseline.

    Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 2020

  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008

  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005

  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018

Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Methyl Gluceth-20, Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Methoxy Peg-114 Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Carbomer, Jojoba Esters, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins Enzyme-Treated Red Ginseng Saponins, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Stem Extract Leaf, Honey Mel Miel, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Flower Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Polygonatum Odoratum Extract Rhizome, Retinol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Alcohol, Glucose, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Bht, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Polyaspartate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play