Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion
8.5
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
7.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion:

  • Intense moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 8.5 out of 10.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Intensely moisturizing: Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion has a moisturizing rating of 8.5 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Rather humectant. It has a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the substantial concentration of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈9.0%) and Glycerin (est. ≈3.0%), and a high occlusivity of 7.0 out of 10, mainly due to the significant content of Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin) (est. ≈6.0%) and Octyldodecyl Myristate (est. ≈4.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Beta-Glucan, two ingredients marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, these ingredients do not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract (est. ≈0.3%), Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract (est. ≈0.3%), Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract (est. ≈0.3%), and others.

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
60
9
6
4
3
2.5
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
14.4
9
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
14.0
6.0
4.0
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
8.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 14.4 10
10.0
9
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 14.0 20
7.0
6.0
4.0
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
8.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
9
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 14.4 10
10
All humectants
14.4
9
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
6
4
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 14.0 20
7.0
All occlusives
14.0
6.0
4.0
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Beta-Glucan
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 3 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
3
Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
0.3
Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
0.3
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
0.3
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
0.3
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
0.3
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Beta-Glucan
0.3
TBHQ
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 2.1 5 No
All soothing
2.1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %60
Function
Origin
The most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %9
Function
Origin
A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Octyldodecyl Myristate
Est. %4
Function
Origin
A luxurious feeling ester that remains light and silky despite its richness.
Glycerin
Est. %3
Function
Origin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
A natural ingredient that produces oil and water mixtures with soft skin feel.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Est. %2
Function
Origin
A clear, pale yellow liquid, that functions as an emollient and a solvent, meaning that it is useful for dissolving oil-soluble ingredients.
Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
A fatty oil expressed from the seeds of meadowfoam. It is used in skincare as an occlusive moisturizer and emollient that leaves the skin feeling soft and silky after application.
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
A solid, butter-like substance that is a highly occlusive moisturizer and emollient. It is a mixture of various plant oils (such as soy, olive, corn, canola, peanut, and many others) which has been refined.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A blend of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, the fatty alcohols that are derived from palm oil. It helps to create emulsions that give off a soft and silky emollient feel and also increase product thickness.
Stearic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin