Nature's Bounty

Sulwhasoo harnesses the skin-rejuvenating properties of Korean red pine in its Timetreasure Renovating Eye Serum and Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam.

In the coldest of Korean winters, among sleepy snowdrifts and atop silent mountain ranges, one tree stays evergreen, towering above its bare-branched brethren. The red pine or sonamu, which literally means “chief tree” in Korean, is a botanical of near-mythical significance in Korea. Its healing properties are said to be so strong that injured fish would rub their wounds against the submerged roots of the tree, while its tall, ramrod straight trunks and evergreen leaves were thought to signify Confucian values of fidelity and fortitude.

Red pine wood was considered so precious during the ancient Joseon dynasty that it was strictly designated for use in the construction of palaces and temples. Its strength and density ensured that no cracks would form in these palatial structures, even after centuries of weathering. Of course, such palaces are no longer being constructed in today’s Republic of Korea, but red pine is considered no less precious. Fortunately, it is now possible for us to get our hands on some of this prized botanical, in the form of Sulwhasoo’s Time treasure skincare line.