The History of Whoo Hwanyu Imperial Youth First Serum Versus Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
Updated on January 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens and fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
The History of Whoo Hwanyu Imperial Youth First Serum 105 ingredients
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The History of Whoo Hwanyu Imperial Youth First Serum 105 ingredients
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium EDTA
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAtractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBelamcanda Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicPlatycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningSchizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingTussilago Farfara Flower Extract
AstringentThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingJuglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Prunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmomum Xanthioides Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAtractylodes Lancea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Textilis Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCuscuta Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDimocarpus Longan Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingLindera Strychnifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Extract
MoisturisingTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllium Tuberosum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAchyranthes Bidentata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygala Tenuifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEpimedium Koreanum Extract
AntimicrobialParfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, 2,3-Butanediol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Betaine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Serine, Trehalose, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Hydroxyproline, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Trisodium EDTA, Glycolipids, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Sodium Lactate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Tussilago Farfara Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense Leaf Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Eucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Amomum Xanthioides Seed Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Atractylodes Lancea Root Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Cuscuta Japonica Seed Extract, Dimocarpus Longan Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Powder, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Kernel Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Allium Tuberosum Seed Extract, Achyranthes Bidentata Root Extract, Polygala Tenuifolia Root Extract, Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract, Epimedium Koreanum Extract, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Honey
Humectant
Juglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus
MaskingLinalool
Perfuming
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Geraniol
Perfuming
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Parfum, Honey, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Phenyl Trimethicone, Chondrus Crispus, Linalool, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Natto Gum, Citronellol, Citral, Propylene Glycol, Geraniol, Chlorphenesin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterBetaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Juglans Regia Seed Extract yet.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The History of Whoo Hwanyu Imperial Youth First Serum 105 ingredients
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The History of Whoo Hwanyu Imperial Youth First Serum 105 ingredients
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients
I have sensitive skin and should have known better with the alcohol and fragrance in this product. It caused an immediate rosacea flare. This is a hard no for me and I would say any sensitive skin folks though I know it works well for many people.
I love using this serum right after cleansing my skin. It feels amazing on my skin, and it makes it feel so calm and ready for the next step of my routine. It’s a bit on the pricey side.
