Sulwhasoo: Exclusive interview with Kate Kwon, Brand Science Manager

Korea is no doubt one of the leaders when it comes to skincare innovation, but Sulwhasoo is literally on the cusp of it every step of the way. With the upcoming release of their brand new formulation of the coveted TimeTreasure line, the Korean beauty brand is about to take anti aging skincare a level higher.

However, instead of us waxing lyrical about the goodness of red pine trees and the use of De Aging Active (DAA), a potent ingredient to fight against aging, we’ve got the science behind it all with help from Amorepacific’s Brand Science Manager, Kate Kwon.

So if you really want to know what lies within TimeTreasure’s formulation, the often lauded about Korean 10 step routine or what are some of Sulwhasoo’s must have products, then read on for a brilliant discovery.

Marie France Asia: How is the skin affected from aging and how does the TimeTreasure line seek to combat those issues?

Kate Kwon: DeAging Active (DDA), which has the vitality of the red pine, stimulates the activity of the ‘longevity gene’ for the prevention of skin aging.

MFA: What are the key differences between the 3rd generation TimeTreasure line and its predecessor?

K.K.: Through five decades of studies into medicinal herbs, Sulwhasoo has taken its anti aging research to a new level, identifying the age-defying DAA, which exists in a miniscule amount in the Korean red pine.

The key ingredient for TimeTreasure has been red pine since its launch. We are constantly evolving the ingredients and benefits as we upgrade to suit consumer’s demands and expectations. As for DAA, the 1st and 2nd might have contained DAA in its products since red pine extracts are supposed to have DAA within it.

However, we are not sure how much DAA exists in them and how effective it was for the generations before. That is because we did not realize and intend to capture DAA concentration. However, for the 3rd generation TimeTreasure, we discovered that DAA can be the perfect solution to defy aging out of all the other valuable active substances extracted from red pine. As such, we focused on DAA as the key for 3rd generation. It is all about DAA, which is now even enriched with 33 times greater efficacy.

MFA: How was the DAA discovered and utilized in this 3rd generation TimeTreasure line?

K.K.: DAA ingredient exists in a miniscule amount in the red pine. Through research on red pine trees and related efficacies, we identified DAA, a key anti-aging agent. The third-generation TimeTreasure line features the pine essence capturing method, which increases the concentration of the DAA ingredient by 33 times.

MFA: How is the DAA’s efficacy delivered to the deeper layers of skin?

K.K.: The encapsulation technology keeps the concentrated DAA stable and makes it more absorbable when applied to the skin. We believe it is indeed effective on dermal cells.

MFA: What is the star product in the TimeTreasure line and why?

K.K.: TimeTreasure Renovating Eye Cream EX is our bestseller, as many customers are most concerned about the lines around the eyes. As it is the thinnest layer, it will show signs of aging anywhere before anywhere else. We would thus like to address this concern.

MFA: In your opinion, what is the definition of beauty and how can it be achieved?

K.K.: Sulwhasoo’s Philosophy: Asian women have pursued beauty since the old times. Physical beauty did not necessarily mean having a beautiful heart, and the imbalance of inside and outside was considered one of the most vicious things in the world. The elegance in one’s appearance is projected from having a pure heart, and the essence of such purity is the beauty of nature. As the body and the mind are one, neither should be neglected to achieve complete beauty. The essence of beauty, as Sulwhasoo explores, is nature. Sulwhasoo nourishes skin with natural ingredients, and its wisdom on Harmony and Balance and tradition has been inspired by the beauty of nature. The oneness of inside and outside is the oneness of nature and people. Because people cannot live apart and outside the universe, we pursue Harmony and Balance.

The Harmony and Balance of nature and people is to utilize natural ingredients to refine human beauty; the Harmony and Balance of the body and mind is to enhance the inside to benefit the skin outside; the Harmony and Balance of tradition and science is to synergize traditional wisdom and modern science. Sulwhasoo realizes the wisdom of nature and tradition through the philosophy of Harmony and Balance. Like the snow blossoms in winter that silently bear life within, foreseeing the clearness of spring, the greenness of summer, and the abundance of autumn, Sulwhasoo symbolizes the refined and deeply white beauty of Korea.

MFA: Do you subscribe to the 10-step Korean skincare routine? Why or why not?

K.K.: According to Korean herbal medicine, the female body undergoes internal and external changes every seven years. As aging progresses, the skin is thrown out of balance due to increasing deficiency of yin energy. Accordingly, it is advisable to adopt a step-by-step skincare routine when skin starts to show signs of imbalance. Sulwhasoo recommends using our beauty products according to the three-step beauty ritual comprising ‘Balancing-Base-Improvement’.

The “balancing” stage starts with First Care Activating Serum EX, a boosting essence, which restores balance in the skin and makes subsequent products more effective. The “base” stage comprises skin and lotion and the ‘improvement’ stage is made up of essence and cream. Products at the base and improvement stages can be chosen and configured depending on skin type and problems. For example, whitening products such as Snowise Line will help revive dull skin, and comprehensive aging care such as the Sulwhasoo TimeTreasure EX line is good for wrinkles and sagging skin. Last but not least, finisher products such as Luminature Essential Finisher add a perfect finishing touch to skincare.

MFA: What are some of your must-use products from Sulwhasoo?

K.K.: All Sulwhasoo products are designed to generate utmost synergy effects when they are used together according to the recommended beauty ritual of ‘Balancing-BaseImprovement’. Accordingly, it is recommended to use Sulwhasoo’s skincare line along with Sulwhasoo’s beauty routines to get the best results.

Basically, First Care Activating Serum EX is a boosting essence that is applied right after cleansing to create optimal skin conditions where any treatment products used thereafter will be better absorbed and more effective.

In addition, the Sulwhasoo TimeTreasure EX line will be effective, if your skin seems to have lost its resiliency. The line, which contains the age-defying DAA ingredient from red pine trees, can fortify the skin barrier function and help enhance skin’s natural vitality. The range also revitalizes the skin and provides a comprehensive solution to tackle the aging process, which sets off chain reactions and accelerates once it starts.

Tarandip Kaur