The History of Whoo Gonjinhyang Ultimate Brightening Corrector

The History of Whoo Gonjinhyang Ultimate Brightening Corrector

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Overview

What it is

Facial treatment with 51 ingredients that contains exfoliants

Cool Features

It is fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe

Suited For

It has ingredients that are good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

It doesn't contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

Fun facts

The History of Whoo is from South Korea. This product is used in 3 routines created by our community.

We independently verify ingredients and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Does this product need an update? Let us know.

What's inside

Ingredients List

19
16
16

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Paraffin

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Myristica Fragrans Extract

Masking

Talc

Abrasive
1 / 0 Exfoliant Icon

Bisabolol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

C12-14 Pareth-12

Emulsifying

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Parfum

Masking
Synthetic Fragrance IconFragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate

Skin Conditioning

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores Icon

CI 77492

Cosmetic Colorant

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Silicon Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Pearl Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Dimocarpus Longan Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract

Cleansing

Lilium Candidum Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Velvet Extract

Humectant

Thymus Vulgaris Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract

Masking
May worsen Eczema Icon

Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract

Skin Protecting
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract

Emollient

Nardostachys Chinensis Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Silkworm Extract

Skin Conditioning

Santalum Album Wood Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Masking
Helps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Poria Cocos Extract

Skin Conditioning

Agastache Rugosa Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant Icon

Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract

Skin Conditioning

Morus Alba Bark Extract

Skin Conditioning

Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ampelopsis Japonica Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

This ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.

Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.

Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.

Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).

It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.

This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.

Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.

Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.

No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).

Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Though squalane is often called an oil, itโ€™s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.

The term โ€œoil-freeโ€ isnโ€™t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.

Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.

A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.

The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.

Learn more about Squalane
Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Paraffin is a solid created from petroleum. The term 'paraffin' can also refer to either
petroleum jelly or mineral oil.

It has natural occlusive properties which can worsen oily skin. Due to its petrolatum base, this ingredient is not fungal-acne safe.

Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract comes from the flowering chrysanthemum plant. These plants are native to Asia.

This chrysanthemum has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also contains camphor, a fragranted wax.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

We don't have a description for Myristica Fragrans Extract yet.

Abrasive, Absorbent, Skin Protecting

Talc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.

Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.

If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.

Learn more about Talc
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.

It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.

A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.

In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.

You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.

Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.

Learn more about Bisabolol
Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.

It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.

Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.

Learn more about CI 77891
Emulsifying

C12-14 Pareth-12 is created from a mixture of synthetic C12-14 alcohols that have about 12 moles of ethylene oxide.

It is an emulsifying and cleansing ingredient. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.ย 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesย 
Masking, Perfuming

Parfum 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 โ€œFRAGRANCEโ€ or โ€œPARFUMโ€ 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 Parfum
Skin Conditioning, Soothing

We don't have a description for Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate yet.

Abrasive, Absorbent

Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.

Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.

The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.

It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.

In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.

Learn more about Silica
Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77492

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.

Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.

This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).

Learn more about Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
Emollient, Skin Protecting, Tonic

Ginseng root is a well-loved ingredient in Asian skincare for good reason. It hydrates the skin, soothes irritation, and helps even out skin tone.

In traditional East Asian medicine, ginseng has been used for centuries both as food and as a healing remedy, and modern research continues to confirm its skin benefits.

One of the standout features of ginseng is its ability to improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin, bringing a fresh supply of nutrients to support overall skin health. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to protect your skin against damage from UV exposure, pollution, and daily stress.

Additionally, studies suggest that ginseng may help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin production.

There are different types of ginseng used in skincare, and while they all share core benefits, their potency can vary.

Most products use fresh or white ginseng because itโ€™s more affordable. However, red ginseng, produced by steaming the root, contains higher levels of ginsenosides, which are compounds with proven anti-aging effects. These ginsenosides help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.

Note: All forms of ginseng are listed simply as โ€œPanax ginsengโ€ in ingredient lists. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about which type of ginseng is used in their ingredients.

For general antioxidant benefits, any ginseng extract will do, but for wrinkle care or firmer skin, red or fermented ginseng is often more effective.

In short, ginseng is a powerhouse ingredient that supports hydration, radiance, and resilience.

Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Antioxidant

Pearl Extract comes from, well, pearls. Pearls are harvested from oysters.

Pearls are rich in amino-acids, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and antioxidant compounds.

Two antioxidants found in pearls include: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione. Antioxidants aid in reducing the signs of aging.

Studies show pearls can aid in wound healing.

Pearls are harvested from oysters. To be vegan, an ingredient cannot be from an animal source.

Learn more about Pearl Extract

This ingredient comes from the Asian mountain yam and has skin conditioning properties. Clinical studies have confirmed this ingredient to work as an effective moisturizer.

The extract is rich in compounds like diosgenin, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, gallic acid, and vanillic acid. Research on these extracts has demonstrated antioxidant effects in-vitro and anti-inflammatory activity in animal models.

The bioactives in the root extract have also been shown in lab tests to have anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-allergy properties.

A big 2022 review looked at the whole Dioscorea family and found these plants consistently showed antioxidant activity across the board.

This ingredient is gentle and well-tolerated by all skin types.

Learn more about Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract

We don't have a description for Dimocarpus Longan Fruit Extract yet.

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract yet.

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract yet.

We don't have a description for Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract yet.

We don't have a description for Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract yet.

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Lilium Candidum Flower Extract yet.

Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient

Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract is an antioxidant.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Velvet Extract yet.

Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient comes form the common thyme plant. It has skin conditioning and perfuming ingredients.

In-vitro studies show strong antioxidant activity due to the high phenolic content of thyme.

Studies also demonstrate it has antimicrobial activity against acne-related bacteria. A 2017 study found this extract exhibited anti-inflammatory effects.

However, this ingredient does have sensitization potential due to its terpene content. Terpenes are among the most common causes of contact dermatitis.

This is kind of a double-edged sword situation where the same compounds that give it antimicrobial power can also irritate reactive skin.

Learn more about Thymus Vulgaris Extract

We don't have a description for Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract yet.

We don't have a description for Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract yet.

This ingredient comes from the cinnamon tree native to southern China.

Though cinnamon has a wonderful taste, it can cause skin irritation due to its rich coumarins, cinnamaldehyde, and styrene content.

Skin Protecting, Tonic

Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the Persimmon. It is native to China, India, and Korea. Persimmon leaves have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

The leaves of the persimmon tree contain triterpenoids, tannins, and ursolic acids. These components are help sooth the skin due to their antioxidant activity.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

We don't have a description for Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract yet.

We don't have a description for Nardostachys Chinensis Root Extract yet.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.

Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.

Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.

In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.

There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.

Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.

A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.

The quality of the extract matters a lot here:

Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.

Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).

Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is also known as golden chamomile extract. It is rich in antioxidants and has skin conditioning properties.

It has an interesting effect on capillary health and has been shown to strengthen capillaries/improve blood flow in the skin. A 2005 study using a cream with this ingredient significantly reduced redness and rosacea severity over 12 weeks with minimal side effects.

French patent research also backs up the anti-inflammatory and circulation supporting properties at concentrations of 0.01-2%.

Learn more about Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract is a fragrance.

Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract is a fragrance.

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Silkworm Extract yet.

Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Santalum Album Wood Extract is a fragrance.

This leaf extract comes from the Asian mugwort. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Fun fact: This flower is part of the sunflower family.

Masking, Skin Conditioning, Tonic

Zingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.

Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.

The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.

Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:

This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.

Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.

Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Skin Conditioning

This ingredient comes from a medicinal mushroom commonly used in East Asian medicine. It has skin conditioning properties. It is also known as Wolfiporia extensa.

It is particularly great at soothing inflammation and protecting skin from stress due to its high content of polysaccharides and triterpenoids.

Some studies link the triterpenes to reduced oxidative stress and collagen protection in skin models. This suggests potential benefits for early signs of aging.

On top of that, studies also report tyrosinase inhibition and reduced melanin production in melanocyte models to help brighten skin (though more clinical evidence is needed for definitive claims).

The polysaccharides can also help hydrate the skin as humectants.

Safety data shows a low irritation risk for this ingredient. However, like any extract, some may experience an allergic reaction when using this ingredient. Be sure to patch test!

Learn more about Poria Cocos Extract
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent

Agastache Rugosa Extract is an antioxidant.

Skin Conditioning

Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract comes from the fruit (nuts) of the Ginkgo Biloba tree. This tree is native to China.

These nuts contain potassium, Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorous, and other minerals.

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Morus Alba Bark Extract yet.

Skin Conditioning

This ingredient comes from the root of Paeonia albiflora, aka as Radix Paeoniae Alba or the Chinese peony. It has skin conditioning properties and is rich in antioxidant compounds.

Recent research shows Paeonia Albiflora root extract helps slow down glycation. Glycation is a process where sugars damage skin proteins and contribute to dullness/uneven skin tone.

In human studies, a lotion with 1% Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract led to lower melanin levels and fewer visible dark spots after two weeks of use. In vitro and ex vivo studies support its role in regulating the process of pigment production and reducing inflammation in skin cells.

Additionally, this ingredient has been shown to promote keratinocyte migration and proliferation in wound healing models.

Paeonia Albiflora root extract is water-soluble and has a low irritation profile for most skin types. Like other botanical extracts, patch testing is recommended for people who have known plant allergies or reactive skin.

Learn more about Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract

We don't have a description for Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract yet.

We don't have a description for Ampelopsis Japonica Root Extract yet.

We don't have a description for Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract yet.

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Where it's from

The History of Whoo is a Korean brand

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ยท Published January 19, 2023