Sulwhasoo Balancing Water

10 Reviews

1. 

   tautPudding9

   Reply

   Amore Pacific is a very expensive skin care brand, and I mistakenly believed that because of that and the fact that it was a famous korean brand, that the products would have to be exceptional. I ordered it and went through the whole bottle and have to say that it is not worth the price. I get the same or similar results with other lower priced toners. It’s moderatly hydrating and absorbs perfectly, but that’s about it

2. 

   peskyPoultry9

   Reply

   It’s a high end product with quite unimpressed result compared to the price. I found it too sticky and slow absorption. The perfume is very strong but I don’t mind it since it smells like herbs.

3. 

   shyApples5

   Reply

   I have been using this Sulwhasoo Balancing Water for 2-3 years and it is part of my daily regime and has transformed my 53-year-old skin. Korean and Japanese skin care is the best in the world and so I started to experiment with some of their brands several years ago. The Korean skin regimes are always multi-step, sometimes up to 10 different products! I have a less involved skincare routine but it has really transformed my skin. This Balancing water is part of the regime and I use it morning and night. As with all of the Sulwhasoo products, you put a small amount in your palm and pat it onto your skin, it is thicker than water, fresh smelling, clear and absorbs nicely. Please see my other Sulwhasoo reviews for the Serum & Balancing Emulsion. I don’t use only Sulwashoo products; my moisturizer is NIA24 and my cleanser is Cetaphil. I always travel with the products too, I buy the trail sets on eBay or Amazon, they are inexpensive and perfect for travel.

4. 

   pluckyOtter2

   Reply

   This is a preliminary review – I’ve only been using it about 5 days.

   I have very oily, but dehydrated skin because I use Hibiclens for acne. While the cleanser has worked wonders for my acne (both regular comedones and cystic), I have had to search for something to replenish the moisture in my skin. Most facial creams and lotions just sit on my skin for the most part, instead of being absorbed. I have found that serums absorb better, but most are too intense for daytime use under makeup. This product caught my eye when I read a review here.

   There are several products that work as a set with this brand and line, the Balancing Water, the Balancing Emulsion, and the Ginger Moisture Cream. I only have the Balancing Water and Emulsion so far. The Balancing water is by far the best hydrator I have found for daytime use. At least for me, it is not necessary to add any other moisturizer even though my skin is dehydrated and I have age-related skin issues (wrinkles, crepey skin, etc.). Because the product is so expensive, I want to prevent wasting any of it, so I use a cotton ball to apply it to my skin (as opposed to a cotton pad that would absorb it) over my entire face, including eye area and lips. This product plumps my skin, gives it a natural glow, and makes it feel supple. This alone is enough to use under my makeup, without using the emulsion.

   The scent is that of freshly grated ginger that lingers just enough to enjoy the calming and soothing aroma, but fades as the product is absorbed. The consistency is like a thicker liquid, not too runny as water, that will cohese into a dollop if you want to use your fingertip to apply it.

   I have not tried many products like this one, the Asian type of toner, that is as the previous reviewer mentioned, not an astringent toner. So, there may be other comparable products out there, and even some for less money. This is a higher end product. This is so far the only con. At 100 mls, the price is $75, I think, on Amazon. But, you do use minimal product for each application. So, this would not be something you would empty in 3 months.

   So far, no irritation, breakouts, redness or stinging.

   Overall, until I find something similar, the price is worth it.

   Pros:

   -Perfect moisturizer under makeup for oily skin
   -Fantastic fresh scent
   -Does not seem to break out my acne-prone, sensitive skin
   -Is not too thin, runny so that product is wasted while trying to apply it
   -Soothing, refreshing
   -Hydrates all areas of face
   -Intuitive packaging – the opening has a plastic cover with a single hole that will dispense enough product when squeezed, but does not leak or spill out if you knock it over

   Cons:

   -Price

5. 

   mildPolenta5

   Reply

   ***Potential buyers, please note: While under the toner section, this product is NOT your traditional Western cleansing toner. It is more of a facial water than a toner***

   I have oily skin so I usually use this product by itself rather than under the “Essential Balancing Emulsion” from the same company. This is my go-to all-purpose moisturizer. I apply it directly after the shower and it sinks into my skin quickly, leaving no residue at all. It has a faint, not unpleasant herbal scent.

   When my skin gets dry spots (from chemical peels, etc), I put this on and then just dab the Balancing Emulsion (it’s a light white lotion) on top. The lotion is also non-greasy and absorbs very quickly.

   This duo (Essential Balancing Water and Essential Balancing Emulsion) calms down my skin and gives it a healthy (not oily) glow. I would recommend that people with dry skin to use this product under the Balancing Emulsion for best results.

6. 

   empathicPie4

   Reply

   I like this product a lot because it feels really good to apply.
   Pretty moisturizing watery gel-like consistency.
   Very high quality product.
   Paraben-free.

   BTW Korean skincare does not equate to 17 products. You adjust and use as your skin needs.

   The basic setup goes something like this:
   Toner (salespeople call it skin idk why)
   essence or ampoule or serum or facial oil or acne meds
   Lotion (also labelled as “emulsion”)

   You expand as needed.
   My expansive nightcare routine would be as follows:
   toner
   acne meds
   essence/ampoule/serum
   lotion
   eye cream
   moisturizing cream
   trouble shooting mask (depending on skin issue. later removed)
   sleeping mask

   I don’t do the above everyday in fact when my skin was red and not happy I just used acne meds + sleeping mask.

   Or when I have no particularly flaring acne and feel lazy I would just slap on the sleeping mask or just the moisturizing cream.

   When I have a skin issue like I feel like it needs rest, then I lather on some serum + moisturizing cream (or sleeping mask). (or a variant would be eye cream + moisturizing cream (or sleeping mask))

   The reason it could go up to 17 is because you use this that and the other for all issues or possible issues…
   I don’t think it’s necessary.

7. 

   jubilantCrackers5

   Reply

   I love this.
   Sulwhasoo herbal scent which I love is weak here, and it’s not super moisturizing but I’m into it.

   If you have oily skin, you definitely can use it alone or together with ginseng renewing cream (love this combo). It doesn’t feel heavy on skin.

   For those with drier skin, use it with balancing emulsion and ginseng renewing cream if needed. This combo is amazing.

   It’s not a cleanser toner, and I usually apply using my finger after another cleansing toner (to clean residue).

   I know the price is high, but compared to hada****, it moisturise longer and feels better.

8. 

   relievedTruffle8

   Reply

   Note – purchased the travel/sample 5-piece kit with other products. I don’t use a cotton pad to add this to my skin. I simply pour a bit into my clean bare hands and pat it on my face.

   Likes:
   scent – it is the most invigorating scent/feeling one can have added to their morning regime. The scent itself is a nice “wake-me-up” after showering & washing my face. It’s a honey-herbal scent.

   absorption to skin – fast. I really appreciate fast-absorbing products because I am always in a rush in the morning, I can’t waste a minute for something to absorb! I can do it at night, but not in the morning. The fact that I can just pat this lightly on my skin with my bare hands is great! No need for extra cotton pads.

   absorption of other products – this was definitely a factor to my “likes.” Everything other product I add to my skin after felt like it absorbed a lot more. This would be an item you would put on your skin immediately after wash and before anything else.

   Dislikes:
   Price – $77 Free Shipping on Amazon for a 125ml bottle. I can imagine it lasting for a long time, as the sample size really lasted for quite some time.

   I wouldn’t call this a toner because to me, a toner also acts as an additional cleanser to any residue on your face after using makeup removers and cleansing your face. I would definitely still add this item on top of using a toner, if you already use a toner.

   This is a top pick (at this moment) for the water step in your face care. However, for the price…a bit hesitant to repurchase. Will definitely have to edit this if I end up buying it!

9. 

   superiorShads9

   Reply

   $55 USD for 4.7oz. – I think you can only buy this line in the US at either Neiman Marcus (online) or Bergdorf Goodman. I bought the entire set (including the serum, water, emulsion, and creams) after I saw my SIL’s glowing skin (she’s been using it for over a year now). I’d been using CD forever and was looking around for something different, and this was it. The line’s based on Korean herbal medicine, so there’s an herbal underlying scent and ginseng – which I love. I hate the perfumey scents that other skincare lines always add, but I find the very light herbal scent soothing and therapeutic. the product is in a heavier bottle that feels expensive and looks wonderful on my dressing table.

   I would not use the water on its own. At minimum, purchase it with the emulsion. The water’s texture is like glycerine and adds a layer of moisture to help your skin absorb the moisturizer (that’s the emulsion, which has a very light texture). For me, the water first feels a little sticky then gets absorbed really fast into my skin. I love that you don’t waste any product because you apply it with your fingers.

   I use this and the emulsion for day, and for night – I add the cream on top. My skin’s normally combination, tending to be more oily, but in the winter, it acts crazy dry, developing little flakes under my makeup. In combination with the other products, my skin looks very soft and supple, even in the middle of the winter!! No flakes so far around my mouth/nose area!

10. 

    yearningCaribou0

    Reply

    I bought a Sulwhasoo set tax free in Seoul plus on a 25% discount. Still expensive but I bit the bullet. It had the First Care Serum, Balancing Water, Balancing Emulsion, Eye Cream and Ginseng Cream.

    I have been using this stuff for 3 weeks and I really do see a difference in my skin. I have dry skin with occasional hormonal acne, some fine lines and some unevennes in color. These products have improved the softness and the dewyness of my skin. I need less foundation than before (just tinted moisturizer)

    I use the First Care Serum, Balancing Water, Balancing emulsion 2x a day. The Balancing Water is a toner, but it’s not the type of toner that Western brands have that is much more liquid. This is a transparent liquid but more dense than water. You apply it directly to skin, not with a cotton pad. It’s very pleasant and lightly scented. I follow this with the Emulsion – if I have time I wait a bit but sometimes I just layer them on right after the other. Both work fine.

    I am not sure all these steps are useful or necessary for skin care, but the end result is nicely hydrating. I used to use a much heavier moisturizer (night cream during the day) since I have dry skin. With these products, I have replaced that with a much lighter option that hydrates just as well. I guess the system works. Don’t forget to add sunscreen in the day!

    Korean skincare usually involves more steps and time than Western skincare. You may see this as a “hassle” or relish the meditative aspect. I enjoy taking a few extra minutes for my skincare, but I believe you can just layer the products as well without waiting too much in between. The smell also makes a difference for me. A very light scent is found in all products (stronger in the Ginseng cream) that only lasts a few seconds so you don’t keep smelling it. Just enough to refresh and calm your mind at the same time. I might be addicted to the smell. Or Sulwhasoo in general.

    Packaging is gorgeous. Dates on the product are manifacturing dates, not expiration dates.

    Cons: Expensive.