The History of Whoo Gongjinhyang Soo Soo Yeon Vital Hydating Balancer
Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Poria cocos sclerotium extract + 11 moreWorks well
“Formulated with Gongjinbidan, an ancient royal court formula presented to Korean emperors and empresses, the Balancer is designed to provide intense moisture in order to soothe and replenish skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Cornus officinalis fruit extract, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (cornus officinalis fruit extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Sd alcohol 40, Thymus vulgaris extract + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sd alcohol 40~8.7–10.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A drying alcohol. Mainly used to dissolve other ingredients. Can increase the irritation potential of the formula
More about Sd alcohol 40Dipropylene glycol~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycol1,2-hexanediol~2.2–2.7%
Cornus officinalis fruit extract~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that contains anti-oxidants. It might help to neutralize free radicals in skin. Can be used to help preserve the product formulation
More about Cornus officinalis fruit extractVelvet extract~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Angelica acutiloba root extract~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Thymus vulgaris extract~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Polygonum multiflorum root extract~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polygonatum officinale rhizome/root extract~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Asparagus cochinchinensis root extract~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panax ginseng root extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractOphiopogon japonicus root extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Ophiopogon japonicus root extractRehmannia chinensis root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Poria cocos sclerotium extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mushroom extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might be able to help reduce irritation and support restoration of skin barrier
More about Poria cocos sclerotium extractAchyranthes bidentata root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Allium tuberosum seed extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Angelica gigas root extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Epimedium koreanum extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Eucommia ulmoides bark extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lycium chinense fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polygala tenuifolia root extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tribulus terrestris fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nelumbium speciosum flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nelumbo nucifera root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nelumbo nucifera germ extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Angelica tenuissima root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bupleurum falcatum root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but it is not well studied. It can be irritating
More about Bupleurum falcatum root extractCnidium officinale root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Platycodon grandiflorus root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Schizonepeta tenuifolia extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Betaine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetainePanthenol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolBeta-glucan~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanTocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolSorbitol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolLecithin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinGlycerin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinButylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideAlgin~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AlginXanthan gum~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPeg/ppg-17/6 copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerPeg-10 rapeseed sterol~0.35–0.65%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilOctyldodeceth-16~0.25–0.45%
Polysorbate 80~0.25–0.45%
Trisodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Tromethamine~0.2–0.35%
Parfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeBenzyl benzoate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateCitral~0.1–0.2%
Citronellol~0.1–0.2%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalLinalool~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Sd alcohol 40, Dipropylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Cornus officinalis fruit extract, Velvet extract, Angelica acutiloba root extract, Thymus vulgaris extract, Polygonum multiflorum root extract, Polygonatum officinale rhizome/root extract, Asparagus cochinchinensis root extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract, Rehmannia chinensis root extract, Poria cocos sclerotium extract, Achyranthes bidentata root extract, Allium tuberosum seed extract, Angelica gigas root extract, Epimedium koreanum extract, Eucommia ulmoides bark extract, Lycium chinense fruit extract, Polygala tenuifolia root extract, Tribulus terrestris fruit extract, Nelumbium speciosum flower extract, Nelumbo nucifera root extract, Nelumbo nucifera germ extract, Angelica tenuissima root extract, Bupleurum falcatum root extract, Cnidium officinale root extract, Platycodon grandiflorus root extract, Schizonepeta tenuifolia extract, Betaine, Panthenol, Beta-glucan, Tocopherol, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Algin, Xanthan gum, Peg/ppg-17/6 copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Peg-10 rapeseed sterol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Polysorbate 80, Trisodium edta, Tromethamine, Parfum, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl benzoate, Citral, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| The History of WhooGongjinhyang Soo Soo Yeon Vital Hydating BalancerYOUR PRODUCT | EcollineManuka Marula Balancing Toner | enough projectEssential Skin | KAINEKombu Balancing Ampoule Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 60% | 60% |
| Price | — | $25.00 | $13.99 | $10.27 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Hyaluronic Acid | Chondrus Crispus Extract |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: THE FACE SHOP Chia Seed Hydro TonerISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Water Essence
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 24 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Ginseng in Dermatology: A Reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6Cosmetic use of an ophiopogon japonicus active principlepatents.google.com
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