Makeup

Hanbang skincare – What makes it different from K-beauty?

November 9, 2021 /

Hanbang is traditional Korean medicine, it involves the use of herbal remedies to treat illnesses and maintain health. It is originally influenced by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

It features unique ingredients and preparation methods. These ingredients and preparation methods can also enhance cosmetics, which helps to treat and maintain our complexion health.

The plant compounds present in the products are critical to understanding hanbang. Many K-beauty products contain herbal ingredients (like ginseng, ginger, licorice, and honeysuckle extracts), but not all of those products are hanbang.

Hanbang skincare’s most important factor is phytochemical effects. Hanbang ingredients vary; all contain polyphenols, antioxidants, and anti-carcinogenic agents that prevent free radicals and protect the skin.

Some combinations may maximize the effects of each ingredient and provide more benefits to the skin. Hanbang formulations focus on more specific blends of multiple herbs.

Another quality that makes hanbang skincare different from skincare is the treatment of herbs. Many hanbang brands use traditional methods (like fermenting or aging) to prepare their ingredients making them very expensive.

What are the benefits of Hanbang skincare?

  • Helps to moisturize the skin.
  • Many of the ingredients used in Hanbang have antioxidant (helps with fine lines and wrinkles) and anti-inflammatory (soothe and reduce redness) properties.
  • Improve blood circulation.
  • Brighten the face.

What makes Hanbang skincare so different?

  • The ingredients are unlikely to be found in Western brands and even if the ingredients are used, it’s not hanbang.
  • There is more focus on the sum of the parts, rather than any one ingredient in isolation.
  • The methods and preparation of these ingredients are different.
  • There is no need to understand western science.

What are some great Hanbang products?

1. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum (product review):

Rating: 4/5

Price: 3/5

They also have their own moisturizing cream,

Benefits of using Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum:

The company claims that this product helps to:

  • It is anti-aging (can help with fine lines and wrinkles).
  • It helps to hydrate the skin.
  • Can help with dull and uneven skin.
  • Loss of firmness and elasticity
  • It is smooth and absorbs into the skin quickly

Who all can use it?

Thi product is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin and skin of colour (but do make sure to do a patch test).

What are the ingredients?

Water, Alcohol Denat , Butylene Glycol , Betaine , 1, 2-Hexanediol , Bis-Peg-18 , Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane , Glyceryl Polymethacrylate , Carbomer , Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil , Tromethamine , Propanediol , Glyceryl Caprylate , Walnut Seed Extract , Dextrin , Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract , Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract , Fragrance / Parfum , Ethylhexylglycerin , Adenosine , Limonene , Methyl Trimethicone , Disodium Edta , Xanthan Gum , Cellulose Gum , Carrageenan , Honey / Mel / Miel , Madecassoside , Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract , Pentylene Glycol , Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract , Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract , Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract , Linalool , Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract , Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract , Biosaccharide Gum-1 , Propylene Glycol , Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract , Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract , Pueraria Lobata Root Extract , Natto Gum , Licorice Root Extract , Prunus Mume Fruit Extract , Citronellol , Citral , Geraniol , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Bht , Citric Acid , Lentinus Edodes Extract , Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Soybean Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract , Ginger Root Extract.

How to use?

You can use this every day (AM/PM) after using a cleanser and your AHA/BHA/PHA’s.

Positive reviews about Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum:

There are comments saying that:

  • This product has helped with hydration, fine lines, wrinkles, and the overall dull/texture of the skin.
  • It didnt result in breakouts and is safe for sensitive skin.
  • It helped with adult acne.

Negative reviews about Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum:

There was one comment saying that the product gave them rashes.

2. The History of Whoo Gheongidan radiant rejuvenating emulsion (product review):

Rating: 4/5

Price: 4/5

The History of Whoo is another brand that is in the same category as Sulwhasoo but focuses on different ingredients. It has a collection of products and Gheongidan is one of them.

You can buy the Gheongidan set, which has a total of 5 pieces (it’s not properly specified on their website) and the Gheongidan radiant rejuvenating emulsion is one of them

It focuses on providing moisture and glow to the skin.

Benefits of using Gheongidan radiant rejuvenating emulsion:

The company claims that this product helps to:

  • Locks in moisture.
  • Helps with fine lines, wrinkles, lifting, and firming.
  • Provides a bright complexion.

Who all can use it?

This product should be suitable to use for all skin types including sensitive skin and skin of colour.

How to use it?

Since it is a moisturizing cream, you use it after a cleanser, AHA/BHA/PHA’s, and skincare actives.

What are the ingredients?

Plantago Asiatica Seed Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract , Platycodon Grandiflorum Root Extract , Brassica Rapeseed Extract , Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract , Sodium Hyaluronate , Trisodium Edta , Velvet Extract , Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract , Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract , Angelica Gigas Root Extract , Angelica Gigas Extract , Oyster Shell Extract , Gardenia Florida Flower Extract , Atractyloides Japonica Rhizome Extract , Cnidium Officinale Root Extract , Mistletoe Extract , Apricot Kernel Extract , Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract , Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome Extract , Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract , Soybean Seed Extract , Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract , Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract , Cuscuta Australis Seed Extract , Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract , Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract , Sesame Seed Extract , Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract , Ledebouriella Divaricata Root Extract , Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract , Allium Tuberosum Seed Extract , Eucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract , Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract , Polygala Tenuifolia Root Extract , Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract , Achyranthes Bidentata Root Extract , Epimedium Koreanum Extract , Thyme Extract , Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract , Safflower Seed Oil , Eucommia Ulmoides Leaf Extract , Yellow 5 , Gold , Butylene Glycol , Yellow 6 , Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract.

Positive and negative reviews about this product:

There are not many reviews about this product (not a well-known brand and hanbang skincare is just emerging). One comment said that it helped with moisture and she had combination skin. The only negative point was that you have to shake out the thick lotion through a little hole in the top (it does not come with a pump).

Which brand should I choose?

Both of these brands use hanbang skincare and are very well known, so choosing any of these two is still a win-win in my opinion.

Our pick would be to go for Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum (if you want the anti-aging benefits) as it is not that expensive and has a lot of customer reviews and ratings.

The History of Whoo Gheongidan radiant rejuvenating emulsion is also a good choice (if you want to use it as a moisturizer), but is expensive and does not have many reviews.