Why are Koreans obsessed with Ginseng in skincare?
Ever wondered why brands like Sulwhasoo’s top selling cream’s signature ingredient is Ginseng. Sure, we know the Koreans and Chinese have used ginseng, a medicinal root for centuries to cure all kind of ailments.
From the traditional medicinal box, it has made its way to the fine dining table and now it has made its way onto your face as well. Does Ginseng really work in skincare? Now, let’s understand what Ginseng is….
What is Ginseng?
Ginseng refers to eleven different varieties of a short, slow-growing plant with fleshy roots. When we talk about Ginseng, we often refer to P-Ginseng (Asian Ginseng) though there is also L-Ginseng (American Ginseng). When consumed, both Ginseng is believed to boost energy, lower blood sugar, reduce inflammation and regulate blood pressure.
How does Ginseng help with skin?
It is the Koreans who popularise its use in skincare. They believed if it is good for your health, it must be good for your skin too.
It is believed that no matter what your skin concerns are, ginseng has some intrinsic benefits to help.
For those with mature skin, Ginseng’s ability to boost energy helps to boost the ciculation of the smallest blood vessels helps to stimulate collagen synthesis. Thus reducing fine lines, wrinkles and improve elasticity of the skin.
For dull skin, Ginseng’s coffee-like energizing ability helps to brighten up and revitalise your complexion.
It is also believed that Ginseng helps to inhibit melanin production and helps to lighten up sun-spots and hyper-pigmenation.
The anti-oxidant properties of ginseng acts as a protection of the skin against free radicals which cause fine lines and wrinkles. The benefits of Ginseng as a plant extract in skincare is well received by all Koreans.
Are we convinced of its benefits?
As a biochemist/chemist by training, turned certified esthetician who use only French and German skincare, do I believe in Ginseng’s benefits?
It is well known in the Western skincare manufacturer leaders like Guinot, Babor, Maria Galland love to use plant-based ingredients into its skin. The ingredients used usually have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and emolients properties. Some simple ingredients that often appear in the list include apple stem cells, centella, aloe vera, black and blue orchid, black. white and red rose, macadamia oil, sunflower seed oil, oat, black currant seed oil to orange, papain (papaya) and bromain (pineapple) enzymes.
With that I am convinced Ginseng, as part of nature will have its benefits on skincare just like other plants and minerals. The efficacy of the skincare will now depends on the extraction and encapsulation process used by the skincare manufacturer which will determine the penetration efficiency of the active ingredients.
More importantly what differentiates a world’s best skincare manufacturer from the next level player will be the way active ingredients are COMBINED without causing sensitivity and reactions to the skin. This is the philosophy of life which well applies to skincare routine too. BALANCE and MODERATION.
And yes, a good cream must not only rely on the star of the cream only. Other ingredients which are super-emolient (hyaluronic acid), lipids (nut oil) and peptides have to be combined into 1 formula which balances one another.
Hence, am a fan of mature brands with more than 50 years of experience as skincare is both an art and science. Only time can help refine a formula and with technology, the benefits will further boost the cream’s performance.
Separately, at Tng Beauty, we also do not believe in creams that cost more than $200 as the motivation to repurchase and maintain the routine will be lost. What use will it be if the efforts are not sustainable? Skincare is just like skin food. It is slow-acting but when used appropriately for a prolonged timeframe, coupled with a healthy lifestyle and the right mojo, our skin will match the twinkle in the eye (the reflection of the soul).
Hope you’ve enjoyed reading our blog. You may also like What is Natural Beauty? Why is Rosehip oil so popular? Do we need make up remover if we don’t use make up? Your oily skin is likely to be dehydrated and many more…
