Sulwhasoo
First Care Activating Serum VI 30ml
This serum from Sulwhasoo is First Care Activating Serum VI. It suits normal, combination, dry and oily skin. Comes in a 30ml size.
No reviews yet30 ml
$350.00 per 100 ml
- Korean-market formula
- Ships from California or direct from Korea
- Korean barcode and batch code intact
- Suited to
- NormalCombinationDryOily
- Helps with
- A targeted treatment stepLayering under a daily moisturizer
In stock. Arrives in 3 to 7 business days
We accept
You’re $100.00 away from free US shipping.
- 30-day returns
- Free US shipping on orders of $100 or more
- Tracked delivery to your door
Key benefits
- What it is: First Care Activating Serum VI 30ml from Sulwhasoo, a Korean-market serum.
- On the ingredient list: Betaine, Adenosine, Madecassoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, confirmed on this product's own manufacturer ingredient list rather than assumed from the category.
- Fits into the routine: belongs to the serum step, applied after toner and before moisturizer.
- Sulwhasoo is a heritage Korean luxury house built around fermented Korean red ginseng and hanbang (traditional herbal) formulation.
- Original Korean Formula: the same version sold on shelves in Korea, not a US-shelf reformulation.
Key actives
4Betainea gentle humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient common in Korean cleansers
Position 4 of 51 on this product's own ingredient list, a gentle humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient common in Korean cleansers.
16Adenosinea wrinkle-care ingredient common in Korean anti-aging formulas
Position 17 of 51 on this product's own ingredient list, a wrinkle-care ingredient common in Korean anti-aging formulas.
26Madecassosidea centella-derived compound used to support a calmer-looking complexion
Position 27 of 51 on this product's own ingredient list, a centella-derived compound used to support a calmer-looking complexion.
303-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acidvitamin C in its pure acid form, used for brightening and antioxidant support
Position 31 of 51 on this product's own ingredient list, vitamin C in its pure acid form, used for brightening and antioxidant support.
39Panax Ginseng Root ExtractKorean ginseng root extract, a traditional hanbang ingredient valued in Korean formulation for its restorative reputation
Position 40 of 51 on this product's own ingredient list, Korean ginseng root extract, a traditional hanbang ingredient valued in Korean formulation for its restorative reputation.
Inside the formula
Inside the formula
- 4Betaine
- 16Adenosine
- 26Madecassoside
- 303-O-Ethyl Ascorbic
- 39Panax Ginseng
Where each key active sits on the declared ingredient list, by entry number. Position is proportion: the further forward, the larger its share.
What is First Care Activating Serum VI?
It is a serum from Sulwhasoo (30ml).
How do I use this serum?
Apply a few drops to clean skin after toner or essence and before moisturizer, morning and/or night, pressing it in rather than rubbing.
Can I use this with other serums?
Yes, layering thinnest to thickest texture is the usual rule; introduce one new serum at a time so you can tell what your skin is responding to.
Not on the ingredient list below: essential oils, parabens, sulfate surfactants, mineral oil or petrolatum and added color.
Full INCI (50): Water/Aqua/Eau, Alcohol Denat, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propanediol, Carbomer, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance/Parfum, Adenosine, Limonene, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Methyl Trimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan, Honey/Mel/Miel, Madecassoside, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Taurine, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Linalool, Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Propylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Natto Gum, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Seed Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Citric Acid
Ingredient list read from inkeedecoder.com on 10 September 2026.
48 of 50 explained
- Water/Aqua/Eau solvent
- Water is the base almost every serum, toner and cream is built on. It dissolves the water-loving ingredients and sets how light the finished texture feels. On an INCI list it is usually first, which only means it is the largest single ingredient by weight.
- Alcohol Denat solvent
- Alcohol Denat. is ethanol with a bitter additive that makes it undrinkable, which is a tax rule rather than a formulation choice. It behaves like alcohol: a fast-evaporating solvent that gives a weightless finish and can feel drying at higher levels.
- Butylene Glycol humectant
- Butylene Glycol is a small glycol that does two jobs at once: it holds water in the top layer of skin and it dissolves plant extracts and actives that plain water cannot. It also thins a formula, which is why watery Korean essences lean on it.
- Betaine humectant
- Betaine is a sugar-beet-derived humectant that cells use to hold water. In a formula it hydrates and takes the edge off cleansers and acids, which is why it often appears alongside them.
- 1,2-Hexanediol humectant
- 1,2-Hexanediol is a glycol used for two reasons: it holds water like glycerin, and it makes a formula harder for microbes to live in, so less traditional preservative is needed. Korean formulas use it heavily for that second reason.
- Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane silicone
- A water-soluble silicone used for a light, silky slip without an oily film. It also helps other ingredients spread evenly.
- Glyceryl Polymethacrylate film former
- Glyceryl Polymethacrylate is a polymer that forms a smooth, water-holding film and gives a formula a cushioned, non-sticky feel.
- Propanediol humectant
- Propanediol is a plant-derived glycol used in place of propylene glycol. It hydrates, carries actives into solution, and gives a lighter, less sticky slip than glycerin at the same strength.
- Carbomer thickener
- Carbomer is a synthetic polymer that only gels once a base neutralises it, which is why arginine or tromethamine sits nearby on the list. It gives the clear, non-stringy gel texture a xanthan formula cannot reach.
- PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24 emulsifier
- PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24 is a solubiliser used to hold oils and fragrance in a clear water-based formula.
- Tromethamine pH adjuster
- Tromethamine neutralises acidic thickeners such as carbomer so they gel, and holds a formula near skin-friendly pH. It is used at a fraction of a percent.
- Glyceryl Caprylate emulsifier
- Glyceryl Caprylate is a mild emulsifier that also makes a formula less hospitable to microbes, so it is often part of a preservative-free system.
36 more explained
- Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract plant extract
- Scutellaria Baicalensis is Chinese skullcap. Its root extract carries baicalin, a well studied plant antioxidant, and it is used for the look of redness.
- Ethylhexylglycerin preservative booster
- Ethylhexylglycerin softens skin and boosts a preservative system, which is why it is nearly always sitting beside phenoxyethanol or 1,2-hexanediol. It also cuts down the odour bacteria produce, so it turns up in deodorising products.
- Fragrance/Parfum fragrance
- Fragrance, or Parfum, is a single declaration standing for a whole scent blend, which can be dozens of materials. Regulators allow it as a trade secret, so a list showing only this word does not say what the scent is made of. It is the most common trigger named by people with reactive skin.
- Adenosine active
- Adenosine is a nucleoside that Korea's own cosmetic authority recognises as a wrinkle-care functional ingredient, which is why it appears on so many Korean lists at a low level. It is used for the look of fine lines and is stable and well tolerated.
- Limonene fragrance component
- Limonene is the citrus-peel aromatic. It appears here because EU labelling requires 26 fragrance components to be named individually rather than hidden inside "fragrance", and it is one of them.
- Dextrin thickener
- Dextrin is a starch fragment used to thicken and to give a formula a light, powdery finish. It is also a common carrier for powdered extracts.
- Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract plant extract
- Cocoa Extract carries polyphenols and a little caffeine. It is used as an antioxidant plant extract and gives a faint warm tint.
- Methyl Trimethicone silicone
- Methyl Trimethicone is a light, volatile silicone chosen for a notably dry finish. It thins a formula and disperses powders evenly.
- Disodium EDTA chelator
- EDTA is a chelator: it locks up trace metal ions from water and packaging that would otherwise turn a formula cloudy, off-colour or rancid. It does nothing to skin and appears at a fraction of a percent.
- Xanthan Gum thickener
- Xanthan Gum is a polysaccharide made by fermenting sugar. It thickens a watery formula into a gel and holds the whole thing in suspension so nothing separates. Too much of it and a serum turns stringy, which is why it appears in fractions of a percent.
- Cellulose Gum thickener
- Cellulose Gum is plant cellulose modified to dissolve in water. It thickens, holds particles in suspension and gives a smooth, slippery body.
- Carrageenan thickener
- Carrageenan is a red-seaweed polysaccharide that thickens and forms a moisture-holding film. It gives a formula a slippery, cushioned body.
- Madecassoside active
- Madecassoside is the centella triterpene most associated with the look of redness, and the one brands lead with in cica products. It is water soluble and stable, so it appears in essences as readily as in creams.
- Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract plant extract
- Chinese foxglove root, one of the standing herbal roots of Korean medicine. Its extract carries iridoid glycosides and sugars and is used as a conditioning extract.
- Pentylene Glycol humectant
- Pentylene Glycol hydrates and, like the other longer-chain glycols, makes a formula less hospitable to microbes so the preservative system can be lighter. It also improves how evenly a product spreads.
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate active
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is a water-soluble salt derived from licorice root. It is the licorice fraction Korean formulas use for the look of redness, and it is far more stable in water than the whole extract.
- 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid antioxidant
- 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a stable vitamin C derivative that skin converts to ascorbic acid. It survives in a formula far better than pure vitamin C and works at a gentler pH, so it suits skin that finds the pure acid uncomfortable.
- Taurine amino acid
- Taurine is an amino acid that occurs in high concentration inside the body cells, where it helps regulate water balance. In a formula it is a humectant and conditioning agent.
- Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract plant extract
- Chinese peony root, one of the oldest ingredients in East Asian herbal practice. Its extract carries paeoniflorin and is used for the look of reddened, uneven skin.
- Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract plant extract
- Madonna lily bulb extract. The bulb is starchy and mucilaginous, so the extract hydrates and is used for the look of uneven tone.
- Linalool fragrance component
- Linalool is a floral aromatic found in lavender, bergamot and coriander. It is one of the 26 fragrance components EU labelling requires to be declared by name.
- Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract plant extract
- Solomon's seal rhizome extract, the dungulle brewed as tea in Korea. It carries mucilage and sugars, so it hydrates and leaves a soft feel.
- Biosaccharide Gum-1 polysaccharide
- Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a fermentation-derived sugar polymer that binds to skin and holds a moisture film in place. It gives a silky, non-tacky feel.
- Propylene Glycol humectant
- Propylene Glycol is a small glycol used as a humectant and solvent. It hydrates and helps actives dissolve; newer formulas often swap it for propanediol, which does the same job with a lighter feel.
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract plant extract
- Ginseng Root Extract is the signature ingredient of Korean traditional skincare, carrying ginsenosides. It is used for the look of tired, dull skin, and brands often ferment it to break the ginsenosides into smaller forms.
- Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract plant extract
- Lotus flower extract, from the same sacred lotus as the leaf. It carries flavonoids and sugars and is used as a conditioning, hydrating extract.
- Natto Gum humectant
- Polyglutamic Acid comes from fermented soy and holds several times more water than hyaluronic acid for its weight. It forms a light film on the surface, so it is often layered with hyaluronic rather than replacing it.
- Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract plant extract
- Jujube fruit extract, the daechu of Korean tea and cooking. It carries sugars, fruit acids and polysaccharides and is used as a hydrating extract.
- Juglans Regia (Walnut) Seed Extract plant extract
- Walnut seed extract. The kernel carries polyphenols, tannins and oil, and the extract is used as a conditioning antioxidant botanical.
- Prunus Mume Fruit Extract plant extract
- Korean plum extract, from the fruit used to make maesil syrup. It is acidic and carries organic acids and polyphenols.
- Citronellol fragrance component
- Citronellol is a rose-geranium aromatic and one of the 26 fragrance components EU labelling names individually.
- Citral fragrance component
- Citral is a sharp lemon aromatic found in lemongrass and citrus oils. It is one of the 26 fragrance components EU labelling requires to be named.
- Geraniol fragrance component
- Geraniol is a rose-scented aromatic found in geranium and citronella oils. It is one of the 26 declarable fragrance components.
- Hydrogenated Lecithin emulsifier
- Hydrogenated Lecithin is lecithin with its unsaturated bonds filled in, which makes it far more stable. It emulsifies and is the standard shell for the liposomes that carry actives into the outer layer of skin.
- Tocopherol antioxidant
- Tocopherol is vitamin E. It is an oil-soluble antioxidant that protects the oils in a formula from going rancid and works on skin as an emollient, and it is regularly paired with vitamin C because each keeps the other going for longer.
- Citric Acid pH adjuster
- Citric Acid is used in tiny amounts to bring a formula to the pH its actives need, not as an exfoliant at that level. It is an AHA, so at much higher concentrations it can also exfoliate.
- Market
- Korean market, the version sold in Korea
- Made in
- Republic of Korea
- Volume
- 30 ml
- Category
- Serum & Ampoule
- Ships from
- California or Korea
Orders ship from California or direct from Korea with tracked delivery to your door, and both routes carry the same Korean-market release. Shipping is free on orders of $100 or more. Returns are accepted for 30 days, by mail.
We split shipments free, so one out-of-stock item never holds up the rest of your order.
Where this unit came from
- 1Seoul
Bought as Korean-market stock - 2Barcode
Listed against the Korean barcode on its box - 3California or Korea
Ships to you from either, as the same Korean-market release
We stock the version of a formula that is sold in Korea, not the release a brand prepares for another market under the same name.
Every unit keeps its original barcode and batch code intact, so the unit in your hands can be checked against the brand’s own records.
Every order ships from California or direct from Korea, and returns run for 30 days.
Every claim on this page traces to the unit in the box, the barcode, the batch code and the price you can read for yourself.
How it works
First Care Activating Serum VI 30ml is Sulwhasoo's take on the serum step. On its own ingredient list, Betaine sits at position 4 of 51 on the ingredient list, a gentle humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient common in Korean cleansers. Adenosine sits at position 17 of 51 on the ingredient list, a wrinkle-care ingredient common in Korean anti-aging formulas. Madecassoside sits at position 27 of 51 on the ingredient list, a centella-derived compound used to support a calmer-looking complexion. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid sits at position 31 of 51 on the ingredient list, vitamin C in its pure acid form, used for brightening and antioxidant support. Sulwhasoo is a heritage Korean luxury house built around fermented Korean red ginseng and hanbang (traditional herbal) formulation, and this formula carries that character through serum format rather than a stripped-down version of it. It belongs to the serum step, applied after toner and before moisturizer, and what it does for skin is best judged after it has had time to settle in, rather than by a single application. This is the Korean-market formula of first care activating serum vi 30ml, the version sold on shelves in Korea rather than one reworked for a different market.
How to use
- Apply a few drops to clean skin after toner or essence and before moisturizer, morning and/or night, pressing it in rather than rubbing.
Worth knowing
- Introduce a new serum on its own for a week before adding other treatment steps.
Complete the routine
- This itemSulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI 30ml$105.00

- Cleanse first, so the next step meets bare skinSulwhasoo Signature Ginseng Facial Soap 120g X 2ea$82.50

- The last step of the morning, over everything elseSulwhasoo MEN UV Defense Protector 50ml SPF50+ PA++++$52.50

Total for 3 items$240.00
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Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI 30ml
How it felt, how your skin took it, what you layer it with. Straight answers help the next person choose.
Sulwhasoo, Korean-market original
Korean-market serum from Sulwhasoo: First Care Activating Serum VI 30ml, the same formula sold on shelves in Korea.
Verify your unit when it arrives
Verify your unit when it arrives
Korean-market stock with the original barcode and batch code intact, exactly as it left Korea.
On the unit itself
- The Korean-market barcode, unaltered from the retail package.
- The manufacturer’s batch code, exactly as the maker printed it.
정품Genuine article, Korean-market stock
What professionals say
What professionals say
What skin-care professionals say about the key actives in this formula, quoted from the medical sources linked beside each.
Centella can make your skin appear more hydrated, plumper and healthier.
Samantha Stein, PA-CDermatology physician assistant, Cleveland Clinic Using topical vitamin C can result in less cell damage and better-looking skin.
Melissa Piliang, MDDermatologist, Cleveland Clinic
1 more professional perspective
Rich in antioxidants, topical ginseng can help to reduce the appearance of various signs of premature aging and repair and protect the skin.
Yunyoung Claire Chang, MDDermatologist, Yahoo Lifestyle
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