SKINFOOD - Black Sugar Perfect First Serum The Essential 150ml

A first serum with a Korean wine cellar in it. SKINFOOD’s Black Sugar Perfect First Serum The Essential runs 30% black sugar extract alongside galactomyces ferment and cheongju — traditional Korean rice wine — in a watery essence built for the routine’s opening move: deep hydration, quick absorption, and the fine luster fermented skincare is loved for. Formulated 8-free.

Why It Works

First serums (essence-serums applied right after cleansing) prime skin to absorb everything that follows, and this one primes with substance: mineral-rich black sugar at 30% for humectant depth, galactomyces — the ferment that launched a thousand glow routines — and cheongju, whose fermentation heritage brings the smoothing, clarifying character Korean formulas have drawn from rice wine for centuries. The 8-free formula skips phenoxyethanol, silicone oil, mineral oil, and five other common flags — a clean-conscious build for a daily-contact product.

How to Use

The very first step after cleansing, before toner: splash a generous amount into palms and press over the face. Twice daily; the 150ml bottle is sized for the habit.

Who It’s For

Dull, dehydrated, rough-textured skin chasing the fermented-glow route; fans of galactomyces essences wanting a twist. Fermentation runs deep in K-beauty — more of it lives in Essences & Ampoules and the rice collection.

FAQ

What is a first serum?

A watery essence used immediately after cleansing, before toner — it softens and preps skin so the rest of the routine absorbs better. Korea’s answer to the “my products just sit on top” complaint.

What does cheongju do in skincare?

Like other rice-fermentation ingredients, the traditional Korean wine brings smoothing, clarifying ferment components — the same family of benefits galactomyces is famous for, from a heritage source.

What does 8-free mean?

The formula excludes eight commonly avoided ingredients — including phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, silicone oil, and mineral oil — for a cleaner daily-use build.