The History of Whoo
Jin Yul Hyang Anti-Wrinkle line
The History of Whoo’s “Jin Yul Hyang Anti-Wrinkle” (진율향), occasionally spelled as “Jinyulhyang”, is an anti-aging skincare line that helps minimise prominent signs of aging and fatigue.
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:
Main Ingredients
The History of Whoo’s “Jin Yul Hyang Anti-Wrinkle” line is designed to act as a Boyak (보약, 補藥) that replenishes the skin’s natural strength and revitalises its appearance. In Traditional Korean Medicine, “Boyak” refers to a restorative herbal remedy intended to boost the body’s immune system and replenish energy in individuals with a weakened constitution, rather than to treat an existing illness1.
⬥ Wild Red Ginseng Jeoncho (홍산삼 전초)
The key ingredient of The History of Whoo’s “Jin Yul Hyang Anti-Wrinkle” line is “Wild Red Ginseng Jeoncho” (홍산삼 전초), a Korean medicinal remedy historically used to relieve menopause symptoms and replenish the body’s natural vitality2.
Traditionally Ginseng has been mainly valued for its roots, as they are known to contain the highest concentration of Ginseng saponins, whereas “Jeoncho” (전초, 全草) refers to the entire ginseng plant, including its roots, leaves, and stems. “Ginseng Jeoncho” is highly valued for including a rich array of biological components in addition to ginseng saponins. By utilising the entire ginseng plant, The History of Whoo’s “Jin Yul Hyang Anti-Wrinkle” line offers a synergistic blend of potent anti-aging compounds.
wild ginseng:
Panax Ginseng, often referred to as “Shincho” (신초, 神草) or “God’s Herb,” is one of the most valuable Hanbang herbs. In the context of Oriental Medicine, it is frequently used to replenish Qi (“tonify Qi”) across the Five Organs (오장, 五臟)4.
There are significant differences between Wild Ginseng (Panax Ginseng Meyer cv. Silvatica) and Cultivated Ginseng, particularly regarding market value, physical characteristics, and overall properties. Research indicates that Wild Ginseng contains at least ten times the amount of active compounds found in Cultivated Ginseng3. This greater potency, coupled with its natural scarcity and difficult availability, positions Wild Ginseng as one of the most valuable herbal remedies in Oriental Medicine.
Different morphological characteristics of Wild Ginseng (sx) and Cultivated Ginseng (dx). (source: YTN)
Due to the scarcity of the plant, many Wild Ginseng plants currently on the market are obtained through human intervention. This type of Wild Ginseng is called “Wild-Simulated Ginseng” and results from humans planting ginseng seeds in an environment where Wild Ginseng usually grows, allowing the plant to develop as naturally as possible.
Wild-Simulated Ginseng is known to contain more active ingredients than Cultivated Ginseng but not as much as Natural Wild Ginseng, and for this reason the market price of Wild-Simulated Ginseng is slightly more accessible4.
The History of Whoo’s “Jin Yul Hyang Anti-Wrinkle” line is formulated with Natural Wild Red Ginseng, a precious variety of Wild Ginseng that grows without any human intervention for at least six years before being steamed to enhance its active ingredients.
red ginseng:
Red Ginseng, whether wild or cultivated, has been historically used to relieve symptoms of aging in women because its active components exhibit a potent estrogenic activity that resembles the ones of female hormones.
To formulate The History of Whoo’s “Jin Yul Hyang Anti-Wrinkle” line, the active components of Natural Wild Red Ginseng were enhanced by processing the plant through a traditional technique known as “Gujunggupo” (구증구포, 九蒸九曝), which involves steaming and drying the plant for nine times.
⬥ Essential Oil Complex™
The products in The History of Whoo’s “Jin Yul Hyang Anti-Wrinkle” line are enriched with four oils derived from red fruits and flowers to deeply replenish moisture and promote a radiant, supple complexion.
Essential Oil Complex™ appears in ingredient lists as:
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rose Flower Oil.
⬥ Gong Jin Solution™
All products from The History of Whoo incorporate “Gong Jin Solution™” (공진솔루션™), a proprietary herbal complex that constitutes the brand’s signature ingredient. This complex represents an evolution of “Gongjinbidan” (공진비단, 供辰秘丹), which was previously the representative ingredient of the brand.
Gong Jin Solution™ was developed through The History of Whoo’s integrative medicine research. This development involved isolating and blending the brand’s former signature anti-aging ingredient Gongjinbidan with three of its key skin-firming active components, collectively referred to as “Gongjinbidan Active.” The components of Gongjinbidan Active include Glycoproteins, Arginine, and Glutamic Acid.
Gongjinbidan (공진비단, 供辰秘丹):
The History of Whoo’s “Gongjinbidan” 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”5.
[source: 백록담한의원]
“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:
“If a man is sickly even after growing up, he is constitutionally weak. In such a case, body fluids should be increased but body heat should be cooled down. Other medicines are inefficacious against it, but this medicine is effective to harmonize internal organs with each other and to prevent various diseases.”
DONGUIBOGAM (1613)
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”: “Gongjinbidan” (공진비단, 供辰秘丹).
Active Tracking Technology:
At the heart of the new “Gong Jin Solution™ is The History of Whoo’s Active Tracking Technology, an innovative Hanbang Bio-Po Jae technology that effectively delivers the skin-firming properties of Gongjinbidan to the skin.
The term Po Jae (포제, 炮制) refers to traditional methods in Korean medicine designed to prepare herbs for medicinal use. These techniques are designed to enhance or modify specific qualities of the herbs, tailoring them for targeted therapeutic effects. (For further details, please consult the guide on Traditional Korean Medicine available on this website, specifically section 3.3, which covers “Herb preparation and processing methods”).
The History of Whoo combined traditional Po Jae techniques with cutting-edge biotechnology to enhance the skin-firming properties of their classic ingredient, Gongjinbidan. This combination results in improved skin firmness and a more youthful appearance, providing a skincare experience that harmoniously integrates ancient wisdom with modern technology.
Key Ingredients of Gong Jin Solution™
The History of Whoo’s new “Gong Jin Solution™ appears in ingredient lists as:
1,2-Hexanediol, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Arginine, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract, Glutamic Acid, Glycoproteins, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Water
In particular, the ingredient includes with five traditional herbal remedies:
Overall, the ingredient promises to increase energy flow, while also rebalancing and reinvigorating skin to enhance the skin’s intrinsic energy and elasticity.
Products
Click on a product to learn more about its features
Jinyulhyang Jinyul Intensive Revitalizing Essence
Jinyulhyang Jinyul Intensive Revitalizing Eye Cream
Jinyulhyang Contouring Massage Mask
Jinyulhyang Red Wild Ginseng Facial Oil
⬥ Recommended order of use
Shop the Line
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Make sure to check out the Discount & Coupons page to access exclusive offers for major Korean skincare retailers.
Notes
1. Lee, Sung-hun. (2013). ““Boyak” Helps Restore Health through Balance.” Koreatimes.
2. 정경인. (2017, March 9). 백수오·홍삼, 갱년기 여성에 좋은 이유. Chosun Ilbo Health.
3. Jeong H. (2009) 인삼ㆍ산양삼ㆍ자연산 산삼의 ginsenoside 함량 분석 및 홍삼화 후 성분변화 비교. 상지대학교 학술정보원.
4. Dharmananda, Subhuti. (2002). “The Nature of Ginseng.” Herbalgram (Number 54), the Journal of the American Botanical Council.
5. 김은진. (2003). “나도 한번쯤 써보고 싶다! 피부 보약, 한방 화장품.” 레이디경향.
6. 나누리. (2023, February). 천문동[天門冬]의 효능과 섭취방법 알아보기. 나누리 블로그.