Sooryehan Ginseng First Essence update

Gold Sooryehan Ginseng First Essence bottle and box (also gold) on a rich blue background 

Here's the link to the original post

Highlights from the first review

The packaging, texture and ingredients were far in advance of things I'd used before - at the time.

It's a serum texture rather than the watery texture I'd associated with first essences. I am a total sucker for this kind of texture now.

I had thought the fragrance was noticeable but now I am accustomed to fragranced products, I'd describe it as light! 

I stand by my previous comments that this product is luxe but I've tried many more luxe products since and so my frame of reference is a little different now. I'd put this as entry level, with, however, a caveat which I'll come back to in the conclusion.

This product gave me my first taste of a more effective routine, meaning that I could reduce how many products I use without losing efficacy. Even though it's not quite right for my skin now, because my skin is drier, I can still use it in a short routine, with upgrades the other products. 

On closer acquaintance

For combination skin, I still think this is an exceptional product, especially if you're looking for a mid-tier luxe ginseng product. At $34 ish for 120ml, I think it's very reasonable for the type of product it is.

It's hydrating, has light moisturising properties and a good selection of ingredients. If you have oily skin, you could consider this as a serum rather than a first essence - and then it becomes even better value compared to most serums which are 30-50ml! If you have dry skin, you could still consider it a serum but use supplemental products. There's no reason not to use this in some way or another!

It absorbs well for one pump, more can be used without issue but I find I prefer how quickly and nicely one pump dries. 

It definitely gives my skin that smooth finish that only silicone based formulas do, meaning that my later steps glide onto my skin. However, it feels less like a protective layer now my skin is drier, as my skin draws one pump into itself almost instantly. 

The upgrade

For my newly dry skin, it's not the perfect product any more.

However, whilst this can be fixed by adding additional products, I'm often short on time or patience so I prefer something with a bit more heft that is multifunctional. 

I bought the Whoo Bichup First Moisture Anti-Aging essence as a replacement for when I pan the Sooryehan. It is more hydrating and moisturising than the Sooryehan, which is what I expected.

And yet I also feel I may have been slightly mistaken on ditching the Sooryehan: I must now proceed to slightly eat my words and revise this post. 

I've mentioned that I prefer something that is more multitasking and that remains true as mornings are always lacking in the kind of time if like to spend on my routine. The Bichup works perfectly in a quick but effective morning routine.

Evenings, mood dependent of course, are a vista of time that stretches and elongates into a relaxing ritual of a pat-pat-pat smorgasbord of skincare delights to be sampled. Evenings are where I get to be creative with my routine like Homer Simpson in that candyland sequence, I'm grabbing a bottle then a squeeze tube, having a little of this, a little of that and smooshing my face with whatever is within reach of my greedy paws.

In one such orgy of sampling, I decided to try the Sooryehan and the Whoo. Let's be decadent, the little devil of skincare temptation whispers - the same devil that talks me into buying additional products before I've finished my current ones.

The two together, one pump of the Sooryehan and two of the Bichup, might be perfection.

I am obsessed with anything that dries quickly because it means I can get more beneficial products on my face before I get bored. Getting bored whilst waiting for things to dry will reduce my will to do my routine, so I look to minimise the chances that will happen.

What about toner?

I definitely prefer the thicker textures of the Sooryehan and Whoo essences compared to toners more generally. 

Are toners more hydrating, though? That's hard to say as I haven't reliably used toner for a while. But I've been reincorporating the Sooryehan Hyobidam Fermented Toner back into my routine and it seems like it will do fine once I've finished the First Essence. It's equally nice and has a thick texture for a toner.

But I'm sure I know what that seductive little devil is going to say when I pan the First Essence: time for another upgrade! 

Double upgrade?

It turns out I already have something that could be considered an upgrade within Sooryehan's product set: the Ginseng Advanced Essence. I've briefly tried it; it's a definitely a step up from the First Essence so it will be interesting to compare it - the Advanced is thicker, more luxurious and hits that higher level of moisturising that I'm searching for.

However, the Advanced may not be as hydrating as the First Essence - in all honesty, I haven't tried the Advanced properly yet as I'm trying to be good and finish up the First Essence. Buuuut I've got plenty of the Hyobidam Toner so hydration may be a moot point.

I would strongly argue that the Whoo I've mentioned is a direct upgrade to the First Essence: the textures, the hydration levels and positioning of the products (first essences) are super similar. Two pumps of the Whoo dry better than two pumps of the Sooryehan so that aspect is comparable upgrade too. 

I mention the Advanced because it's arguably from the same line as the First Essence and it looks to be more efficacious for dry skin. I'm sure it'll perform well in any routine slot but my instinct is that it's a serum-slot product. It's actually thicker than The Black Serum....

Did I switch to anything else or amend my usage? 

First off the bat: lots. Way too many things to list them here and way too many switcheroos, where I rotated something out, back in and then out again. I am nothing if not a fickle user of skincare who is excessively excited about new new new!

Since writing my initial review, I now commute to work. My key goal is to have a very quick but highly effective morning routine. Consequently, I want products that dry fast and do my skin some good. 

I felt The History of Whoo Bichup First Moisture Anti-Aging essence was more substantial when I used it before so I purchased that as a replacement for the First Essence, as I already mentioned. I wouldn't say it felt too heavy for combination skin but it was certainly an evening product, whereas now I use it in my morning routine as it dries super quick and feels moisturising enough that I can just do Whoo, emulsion and sunscreen.

However, as I said in my review of Sooryehan's The Black Serum, I notice better calming effects when I use it twice a day. 

Link to my blog review of The Black Serum.

The samples are fine - I've been using them for 18 months now but it's difficult to get the right amount out of the packet for optimal morning usage (approx one pump for quick absorption).  So I therefore purchased a full size of The Black Serum so I can the benefits but control the amount that is dispensed.

The Black Serum is the superior product for me, compared to the First Essence, because it's calming. It's hard to say if the effects on the signs of aging are better than the First Essence, although I very much like the technology in The Black Serum.

As usual, see Odile's video and blog for info on the technology in The Black Serum. Link to Odile's video, link to Odile's blog. I think they contain the same general info but I personally prefer reading and some people prefer videos so I'll continue linking to both where there's both options available.

I'll still use The Black Serum sample sachet for evening, as the random amount dispensed doesn't really matter. And it allows me to spend my skincare budget elsewhere, such as purchasing Sooryehan's The Black Moisturiser. I'm very keen to get this because my current day moisturiser has a lot of oil and I think it'll be too heavy as the weather gets warmer. Plus, maybe I'll get additional calming benefits! 

Will I repurchase? 

Unless my skin condition drops off a cliff when I finish it, I'm unlikely to repurchase. 

I can replace the Ginseng First Essence with Sooryehan's Hyobidam Fermented Toner, and I have lots of those minis to use up! 

If I'm missing Sooryehan's Ginseng line, I will shortly also have a total of 30ml of the Sooryehan Ginseng Essence Advanced on the way, which is quite a lot given the full size is 45ml. However, the Advanced is much thicker and therefore definitely sits in the serum slot, not a first essence / toner slot. 

TesterKorea do a Sooryehan "Best" gift box of mid-size samples, 25ml of the Hyobidam Fermented Cream, 25ml of the Hyo Spring-Water Cream, 10ml of the Ginseng Advanced Essence and a Ginseng sheet mask for less than $12. I purchased it for the Hyobidam Cream in tube form and it's very cheap but the extras are a major bonus!

Back to the Ginseng First Essence: it's great to know that I have a solid option if my skin type reverts to combination and for that reason the Ginseng First Essence will hold a place in my Skincare Hall of Fame.

The thing that made me write a caveat to considering the First Essence entry level luxe is that entry level doesn't mean it's not effective: I recommended the First Essence to someone on Reddit and it has favourably replaced the reformulated Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum. Thank you to u/diszy321 for reminding me that this was you! 

High praise, given that the Sulwhasoo is a much more commonly used and recognisable HG product for a lot of people! 

Sooryehan never disappoints me but it's always worth taking stock and considering alternatives if what you're using doesn't quite work any more. 

I am, of course, excited to get the Advanced into my routine as soon as I finish the First Essence.