Review: Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask

This sleeping mask is often described as a great starter product for hanbang cosmetics, and I can confirm, that was the case for me a few years ago, shortly before my first visit to Seoul, in 2017.

I’ve talked about hanbang many times, because I’m obsessed. Hanbang cosmetics rely on the specific use and extraction of plants and herbs used in traditional Asian medicine. In Korea, Hanbang cosmetics are also regulated differently from conventional cosmetics.

By the way, if you’re interested in this topic and really want to learn more about hanbang, I can’t recommend enough to read the detailed guide that my fellow K-Beauty enthusiast Odile Monod wrote on her website: themonodist.com. It’s really detailed and super informative!

5-6 years ago, I really wanted to try the brand Sulwhasoo, but I didn’t understand much about hanbang. And I didn’t know which product to choose. Considering the price of Sulwhasoo products, you don’t want to make the wrong choice!

The revitalizing and anti-aging ginseng line was the one that attracted me the most in the brand. (I’ve actually had the opportunity to try their famous ginseng moisturizer since then!) When I took a closer look at this ginseng range, I noticed this Overnight Vitalizing Mask which, compared to the other products in this line, was more affordable. I also read several reviews and it looked so promising. All the reviews were overwhelmingly positive!

So I took advantage of my visit to Korea to purchase it. And that was the beginning of my love affair with this sleeping mask, which I’ve repurchased several times since.

Let me tell you why the Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask is one of my hanbang cosmetic faves 🙂

Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask, product presentation:

I love sleeping masks! I use them very often, either in addition to my night moisturizer or instead of it.

Sleeping Masks have been very popular in Korea for almost 10 years now!

Indeed, lack of sleep is a widespread problem all over the world. The concept of a beauty product that promises a nice, plumped skin like you get after a good night’s sleep is therefore very attractive to many of us!

We know that good sleep is one of the keys to skin beauty, and in Asia, people talk a lot about “Golden Time” (= the first 3 hours of sleep), which would be the most repairing for the body.

A lot of Korean skincare brands developed a specific product to imitate the effect of this “Golden Time”, and even boost this nocturnal repair to make the skin look well rested, even if you don’t get enough sleep.

The texture of Sleeping Masks is quite specific. They’re quite different from the good old evening moisturizer that’s usually quite rich and heavy.

Sleeping Masks are usually lighter in texture, with a water concentration that is often quite high because you must be able to apply them on top of your evening moisturizer if you want to. The aim here is to “trap” skin moisture with emollient active ingredients, for a fresh, smooth and plumped skin when you wake up.

The Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask is no exception to this rule, especially when I compare it to the ginseng cream from the same line that I reviewed last year.

While the ingredient base is somewhat similar to the latter, there are two notable differences:
– it’s less concentrated in ginseng (which can explain why the mask is cheaper than the moisturizer),
– and the texture of the mask is much lighter, much richer in water than the cream! It’s a gel cream that leaves the skin super comfortable but not greasy at all.

The formula of the Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask is very “hanbang typical”, so it’s quite long! It’s very rich in natural ingredients, especially extracts of medicinal plants used in oriental medicine, but also in synthetic ingredients for a great texture.

Among the key ingredients, you can find:
– Korean Red Ginseng, rich in antioxidants (= saponins) to reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve hydration while protecting the skin against future signs of aging,
– antioxidant pomegranate extract, in a patented complex, the Nutritive RED Elixir™,
– antioxidant green tea extract,
– but also several nourishing oils and butters: shea butter, squalane…
– as well as a lot of moisturizing ingredients like jujube, honey, glycerin, beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid,
– some licorice extract that brightens the complexion,
– and finally, many plant extracts used in oriental medicine for their strengthening, regenerating and antioxidant effects (water lily, peony, Solomon’s seal,… there are many more!).

It’s also delicately fragranced; for me, you can smell the medicinal herbs, a bit of honey, ginseng and a touch of very fresh lemon.

And the icing on the cake, the tube is 120ml, for a price ranging between $45 and $55 depending on the retailer. For Sulwhasoo, this is very reasonable 😉

Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask, my experience:

This tube is not my first. It’s a product that has been a staple in my routine for years. I haven’t mentioned it yet because I had a little trouble finding it for a while (I think it has been reformulated and/or the packaging changed), but it seems to be back in stock at the usual retailers, so I figured now was a good time to do my review!!! 🙂

I use this sleeping mask 2-3 times a week, or whenever my skin feels dull (if I haven’t slept well at night for example 😅). I apply it at the end of my routine, instead of, or on top of my night moisturizer if my skin feels dry that night.

If I love it so much, it’s as much for the pleasure of using it with its silky texture and delicate scent as for the result it gives on my skin.

It always leaves my skin very comfortable in the morning, without making it feeling greasy. But above all, it gives me an incredible glow! It’s really the perfect mask to avoid a dull face in the morning.

I have to say that the ingredients in it are kind of my “greatest hits” of Korean skincare ingredients. My skin loves ginseng, green tea, honey… and all the medicinal plant extracts used in oriental medicine!

In short, my love affair with this product was meant to be!

And big plus, considering its size, it’s a love story that will last a while (usually between 6 and 8 months using it 2 or 3 times a week!).

In conclusion:

I love this sleeping mask! It’s pleasant to use, effective and for a Sulwhasoo product, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! What’s not to love?😉

It definitely deserves its permanent spot in my routine as my beloved hanbang sleeping mask to revive my tired skin!

The Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask retails between $45 and $55 for 120ml depending on the retailers.