The History of Whoo

Gong Jin Hyang Gun line

The History of Whoo – Gongjinhyang Gun line

The History of Whoo’s “Gong Jin Hyang Gun” (공진향:군), also spelled as “Gongjinhyang Gun”, is a skincare line created to awaken men’s skin and leave it soft on the outside and strong on the inside.

Disclaimer: I personally translated the majority of facts and contents in this article from original Korean sources, so I kindly ask you to credit my work if you’re planning to use any of the information included in this guide.

Many concepts mentioned in this guide are based on Oriental Medicine principles, for a better understanding please refer to the introduction to Traditional Korean Medicine on this website. It’s important to stress out that there is no correspondence between Oriental Medicine organs and Western anatomy so capitalised names in this article shouldn’t be interpreted in the Western medical sense.

⬥ Recommended for:

  • Men over 30
  • First signs of aging
  • Rough and uneven texture
  • Blackheads and imperfections
  • Thin and weakened skin
  • Decreased elasticity
  • Impaired skin barrier function

Main Ingredients

“Gong Jin Hyang Gun” is a reinvigorating skincare line designed to awaken and strengthen men’s skin from the inside.

All products in the line contain “Gong Jin Solution™”, also known as “Gongjibidan” (공진비단, 供辰秘丹), The History of Whoo’s signature rejuvenating ingredient, along with an immunity-boosting herbal complex called “Yongan Bulrodan” (용안불로단, 君之颜精萃).

Gong Jin Solution (공진비단, 供辰秘丹)

All products from The History of Whoo incorporate “Gong Jin Solution™”, also known as “Gongjinbidan” (공진비단, 供辰秘丹), a proprietary herbal complex that constitutes the core ingredient of the brand.

“Gong Jin Solution™” is based on “Gongjindan” (공진단, 拱辰丹), a traditional Oriental medicine prescription originally created by Chinese physician Wei Yilin. According to the classical text or Oriental Medicine “Efficacious Remedies of the Physicians” (세의득효방, 世醫得效方), “Gongjindan” was a remedy exclusively reserved  for emperors and for this reason, it earned the name of “Emperor’s Medicine”1.

The History of Whoo - Gongjindan

“Gongjindan” appears in many traditional medical texts from China and Korea and it’s described as a remedy that strengthens the body’s immune defences and brings back the natural balance between its organs.

The Donguibogam (the most representative text of Traditional Korean Medicine) describes “Gongjindan” as follows:

To this day, “Gongjindan” is a vital tonic that is still commonly used in many Asian countries to combat chronic fatigue, weak constitution and deteriorated immunity. 

Through the integration of modern science, LG Household & Health Care developed a cosmetic ingredient based on the original prescription for “Gongjindan”: “Gong Jin Solution™”.

Developed through The History of Whoo’s integrative medicine research technology, “Gong Jin Solution™” consists of:

1,2-Hexanediol, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract, Glutamic Acid, Glycoproteins, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Water2.

In particular, the ingredient was enriched with four traditional herbal remedies:

  • Ganoderma Lucidum (영지버섯, 灵芝属), or “Ling Zhi”, is highly-regarded in Oriental Medicine for promoting health and longevity. The ingredient was first described in the Classic of the Materia Medica (also known as Shennong Bencaojing, 神農本草經) and it’s used to alleviate fatigue, strengthen the immune system, and promote overall well-being.
  • Angelica Gigas Nakai Root (참당귀뿌리, 当归), or “Dang Gui”, is known to replenish Qi and nourish Blood, meaning it restores vital energy levels and promote a healthy circulation of nutrients and energy across the body.
  • Cornus Officinalis Fruit (산수유열매, 山茱萸), or “Shan Zhu Yu”, is valued for its astringent and tonifying properties [T/N In Oriental Medicine “astringent” ingredients have the function of rebalancing the main vital substances that animate the human body: Essence, Body Fluids and Qi].
  • Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) (타임, 百里香), which boasts antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Overall, the ingredient promises to increase energy flow, while also rebalancing and reinvigorating skin to enhance the skin’s intrinsic energy and elasticity2.

⬥ Yongan Bulrodan (용안불로단, 君之颜精萃)

Royal herbal remedy that supplies nutrients to the skin and promotes health and longevity (자양양생, 滋養養生). The herbal complex enhances skin’s immunity and boosts skin’s natural metabolism, reducing imperfections and smoothing skin texture over time.

Yongan Bulrodan is composed of Zingiber Officinale + Jujube Fructus + Cnidium Officinale + Angelica Acutiloba + Glycyrrhiza Glabra.

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Products

Click on the product for more details

Gongjinhyang Gun Ja Young Foam Cleanser

Gongjinhyang Gun Ja Young Nourishing Balancer For Men

Gongjinhyang Gun Ja Young Nourishing Emulsion For Men

Gongjinhyang Gun Ja Young Moisture Cream For Men

⬥ Recommended order of use

  • Gongjinhyang Gun Ja Young Foam Cleanser
  • Gongjinhyang Gun Ja Young Nourishing Balancer For Men
  • Gongjinhyang Gun Ja Young Nourishing Emulsion For Men
  • Gongjinhyang Gun Ja Young Eye Cream For Men
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Shop the Line

⬥ International retailers

⬥ South Korean retailers

Make sure to check out the Discount & Coupons page to access exclusive offers for major Korean skincare retailers.

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Notes

  1. 김은진. (2003). “나도 한번쯤 써보고 싶다! 피부 보약, 한방 화장품.” 레이디경향.
  2. 더후(The whoo). (n.d.). 더후: The whoo. 더후(THE WHOO). https://www.thewhoo.com/mall/brand/brand.html#con2

Source: LG Household & Health Care unless otherwise stated.
Words, Visuals: © 2024 Odile Monod unless otherwise stated.
You may not reproduce the above translation for commercial purposes without the express written consent of the author.

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