Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream for oily skin
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Squalane
Retinol
Beta-GlucanAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your oily skin due to ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol, which help regulate skin cell turnover and mild exfoliation, but it lacks sufficient oil-controlling agents for optimal results.
- Glycerin and squalane provide excellent hydration and support barrier resilience, which is beneficial for maintaining overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like honey and beta-glucan.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
- Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
- Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cream is highly recommended for dry and mature skin, offering deep hydration and a radiant glow with a luxurious texture. Many users report significant anti-aging benefits like increased firmness and reduced fine lines. The herbal ginseng scent is polarizing, and the high price point is a frequent concern, though some users find the texture too heavy or experience breakouts.
Highlights
Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up”
- “melted into my skin”
- “moisturized all night”
- “soft as a baby's bottom”
High price Mostly Mentioned
- “outrageously priced”
- “expensive”
- “splurge”
- “investment”
Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
- “buttery”
- “velvety”
- “silky”
- “absorbs quickly”
Radiant glow Often Mentioned
- “instant glow”
- “dewy”
- “glass skin”
- “healthy radiance”
Anti-aging results Sometimes Noted
- “firmer”
- “plumper”
- “fine lines diminished”
- “lifting effect”
Spa-like scent Sometimes Noted
- “grounding”
- “herbal”
- “therapeutic”
- “ginseng smell”
Strong scent Sometimes Noted
- “overpowering”
- “medicinal”
- “like dirt/grass”
- “too herbal”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused acne”
- “small bumps”
- “whiteheads”
- “reaction”
Too heavy Rarely Noted
- “greasy residue”
- “too rich”
- “sat on skin”
- “clogged pores”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, influenster.com, reddit.com, mywomenstuff.com, kbeautyhobbit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream work for oily skin?
This cream works moderately well for oily skin, as it contains retinol and salicylic acid to help regulate skin cell turnover, but it lacks sufficient oil-controlling agents for optimal results. A product of this type needs lightweight textures, effective hydrating and soothing agents, peptides, and an absence of heavy oils to manage oily shine and maintain a healthy complexion without clogging pores.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily skin?
Salicylic acid and retinol help regulate skin cell turnover and mild exfoliation, while glycerin and squalane provide hydration and support your skin barrier. A moisturizing treatment for oily skin needs ingredients that control oil and provide lightweight hydration without heavy oils or pore-clogging ingredients.
What does Ginseng Root Extract do for oily skin?
Ginseng Root Extract helps calm oily skin and protects it from daily stress and UV damage. This ingredient also helps reduce inflammation and keeps the skin balanced, though an oily routine also needs lightweight, oil-free hydration and gentle cleansing to stay clear.
What do Ginseng Saponins do for oily skin?
Ginseng saponins help calm skin and may reduce excess oil and redness by tackling inflammation. A product for oily skin also needs lightweight hydrators and balancing ingredients to keep pores clear and the skin smooth.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, as part of your nightly steps. It may also be used in the morning or twice a day if your skin tolerates it well.
Can I use this cream with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this cream with vitamin C by applying your vitamin C serum first, waiting a few minutes for it to sink in, and then following with this moisturizer. This routine helps protect your skin while keeping it soft and hydrated, though oily skin of this type needs lighter, dedicated oil-controlling ingredients for the best balance.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice a day as part of your routine. Regular application helps improve skin moisture and barrier function.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is unlikely to cause breakouts or purging for oily skin since reviews report very low complaints of breakouts, though it offers only an average fit because it lacks sufficient oil-controlling agents. Oily skin works best with lightweight, oil-free hydration and balancing ingredients like niacinamide or clay that manage excess shine.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes, though the skin there is much thinner than on the body. A product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and gentle soothing ingredients to care for such delicate areas without feeling heavy.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, linalool, hexyl cinnamal, and eugenol) and drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
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, 2017A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Enzyme-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, 2015A 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, 2022A 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, 2020Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Topical 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, 2019Silicone 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, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2022Topical application of oat beta-glucan ameliorates epidermal hyperplasia and accelerates epidermal barrier recovery by promoting keratinocyte differentiation through dectin-1-mediated ERK and p38 signaling pathways that upregulate CaSR expression.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021
Why other moisturizers fit oily skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trehalose, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Peg-40 Stearate, Phytosteryl Behenyl Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Stearic Acid, Propanediol, Peg-100 Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Methoxy Peg-114 Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Polyacrylate-13, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Cetyl Peg Ppg-10 1 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Oil, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Propylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Acetyl Glucosamine, Polyquaternium-51, Hexyl Laurate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins Enzyme-Treated Red Ginseng Saponins, Carnauba Wax, Tocopheryl Linoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pantethine, Salicylic Acid, Dimethiconol, Glyceryl Linolenate, Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Lauryl Peg Ppg-18 18 Methicone, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract Grape Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Beta-Glucan, Disodium Edta, Retinol, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Dextrin, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Dodecene, Sodium Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Honey Mel Miel, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Linalool, Bht, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Eugenol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tbhq, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hydroxide, 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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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