The History of Whoo
Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Sun Fluid SPF50+/PA+++
Please note that this product was reformulated in 2024. Click here for further information on the 2024 edition.
Product overview
Brand: The History of Whoo
Product Name: Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Sun Fluid SPF50+/PA+++
Korean Product Name: 공진향:수 수연 수분선 SPF50+/PA+++
UV Protection: SPF50+/PA+++
Water Resistance: Not water resistant.
Capacity: 60ml
Formulated by: LG Household & Health Care
Manufactured by: LG Household & Health Care
Distributed by: LG Household & Health Care
Country of Manufacture: South Korea
Functional Cosmetic Certifications: UV Protection
Original Retail Price: 48,000 KRW
Date of Release: May 2019
Shelf life: 3 years before opening. 12 months after opening.
Ingredients
Sunscreen type: Hybrid (organic + UV inorganic filters)
UV filters: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid.
Notable allergens: Alcohol, Essential Oils, Fragrance.
Product description
“Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Sun Fluid” : an airy and hydrating sunscreen fit for a queen.
“Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Sun Fluid” is a fluid sunscreen that supplies hydration to sun-damaged skin. The sunscreen has a lightweight, hydrating formula that dries with a matte finish.
The formula was enriched with Yeonhwa Saenggidan (연화생기단), an ingredient that harnesses the vitality of lotus flowers, to achieve a clear and lively complexion fit for a queen.
Experience the beauty of hydrated skin with the revitalising power of “Gongjinhyang Soo” hydrating care.
“Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Sun Fluid” is enriched with Gyeongokbidan and Cheongiksoodan.
⬥ Gyeongokbidan (경옥비단, 琼玉精萃)
“Gyeongokbidan” (경옥비단, 琼玉精萃) is a modern reinterpretation of “Gyeongokgo” (경옥고, 瓊玉膏), one of the 3 main restorative remedies recorded in the Donguibogam2. “Gyeongokgo” is also known as “Noblemen’s medicine”4 because in the past it used to be a prescription reserved for nobles and members of the royal court.
“Gyeongokgo”, also known as “Precious Jade Paste” is originally used to treat chronic fatigue and emaciation related to Lung Qi and Yin Deficiency3.
In Oriental Medicine, Lung Qi regulates the preservation or excretion of fluids through the skin, and consequently the opening and closing of the skin pores. As a result, when Lung Qi is deficient, pores appear excessively open. On the other hand, Yin deficiency manifests through a generalised dryness across all vital organs, skin included.
Through the application of a proprietary technology, LG Household & Health Care developed a cosmetic ingredient based on the original prescription for “Gyeongokgo”: “Gyeongokbidan”.
“Gyeongokbidan” rebalances Lung Qi and Yin and helps smooth skin texture by replenishing moisture and reducing the appearance of pores.
The formula is composed of: Cultivated Ginseng + Rehmannia Glutinosa + Wolfiporia Extensa (Peck) Ginns + Liriope Muscari.
⬥ Cheongiksoodan (청기익수단, 清氣益壽丹)
“Cheongiksoodan” (청기익수단, 清氣益壽丹) is a modern reinterpretation of “Changshou Yishou Dan” (장춘익수단, 長春益壽丹), a famous beauty herbal prescription used by Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty6.
Empress Dowager Cixi was known to have an extensive beauty routine that allowed her to maintain her youthful appearance even in mature age. American portrait painter Katharine Carl, who lived in the Chinese Imperial Court for nine months and became a close acquaintance of the Empress, argued that Cixi had a “wonderfully youthful appearance”8.
Photographs of Empress Cixi in her 70s caused a sensation in the West as they showed the sovereign having a perfect smooth complexion with no visible wrinkles. However, critics later argued that official portraits were retouched to enhance the Empress’s beauty9.
“Changshou Yishou Dan” was known to rejuvenate skin and promote a luminous complexion by supplementing the deficiency of the four meridians of the Heart, Kidney, Spleen and Stomach and promoting the flow of Qi (energy)6.
LG Household & Health Care applied modern dermatological theories to create an ingredient with the same properties of Changshou Yishou Dan: Cheongiksoodan. Cheongiksoodan is composed of traditional herbal ingredients that are naturally rich in Germanium, a mineral that helps supply oxygen to the body and combat free radicals. In Oriental Medicine terms, the ingredients work by supplying skin with Clear Qi (청기, 淸氣), the vital essence the body inhales from the natural environment and that helps promote blood circulation.
As a result, “Cheongiksoodan” makes skin radiant, clear and compact. The formula is composed of: Cultivated Ginseng + Tuber Fleeceflower + Goji Berry.
Directions
Before applying make-up, dispense the desired amount of product and evenly spread it over your face. Make sure to apply an additional layer to the areas most exposed to UV rays, such as cheekbones, nose and forehead.
Recommended order of use:
Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Foam Cleanser > Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Balancer > Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Essence > Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Emulsion > Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Cream > Gongjinhyang Soo Vital Hydrating Sun Fluid
Precautions
- General precautions:
- Immediately consult a dermatologist if symptoms such as red blotches, swelling and/or itchiness appear while using the product, or in case such symptoms appear when the skin is exposed to direct sunlight after use.
- Do not use the product on open wounds.
- Storage and handling precautions:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Keep away from direct sunlight.
- Be careful to avoid the product going into your eyes. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with clean water.
- Use only for the intended purpose.
- Do not mix with substances other than cosmetics.
Other editions and formulations
⬥ Previous formulations:
⬥ Special editions:
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Notes
1. 김은진. (2003). “나도 한번쯤 써보고 싶다! 피부 보약, 한방 화장품.” 레이디경향.
2. 김태인. (2020). “Gyeongokgo Is Known to Rejuvenate Our Body and Strengthen Immunity – 월간파워코리아.” Power Korea
3. Sunwoo, Y.-Y. et al. (2019) “Hematologic and Serological Investigation of Effect on Gyeongokgo in Healthy Individuals : a Randomized, Subject-assessor-blind, Placebo-controlled, Single-center Pilot Study,” Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine. Korean Society of Oriental Pathology. doi: 10.15188/kjopp.2019.08.33.4.239.
4. Haejuclinic. (n.d). “Haeju Gyeongokgo.” Retrieved 25 May 2022 from http://en.haejuclinic.com/product/gyeongokgo/
5. 오주희, 신재석, 이성준, 이종철, 임준홍, 안은석, 홍시갑 and 홍준기. 2009, “한약재 포제 가공의 현대적 연구 현황”, Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, vol.39, no.4 pp.275-297.
6. Baidu Baike. (n.d.) “长春益寿丹“. Retrieved 25 May 2022 from https://baike.baidu.com
7. 中药方剂 (n.d.) “长春益寿丹_【中药方剂】中医药方,中药方.” Retrieved 25 May 2022 from Zhongyaofangji.com
8. Chen, D. (2013). “The Western Perception of Empress Dowager Cixi”. Master of Arts. University of Victoria.
9. Peng, Y. (2013). “Lingering Between Tradition And Innovation: Photographic Portraits Of Empress Dowager Cixi.” Ars Orientalis, Vol. 43.
10. 더후(The Whoo). (n.d.). 더후: The whoo. 더후(THE WHOO). https://www.thewhoo.com/mall/brand/brand.html#con2