It has been a while since I review skincare product, mainly due to time constraints especially juggling my transition into a new working place and kind of active in Instagram instead. Despite the hectic working schedule, I still make sure to have an active skincare regime, thus being back in the game. I will share one of the most luxurious face creams I’ve ever tried.

Those that have been following my blog know that I’ve been using their most famous range which is the Bichup range. Follow by Cheongidan, Cheongyuldan and Hwanyu range is The History of WHOO most luxurious range. The Hwanyu range is WHOO’s packaged in the most opulent-looking packaging you’ve ever see and the iconic purple color screams royalty. Some products are even adorned with the celestial creature, Phoenix. The packaging is extremely exquisite and the real embodiment of pure luxury in skincare.

✵✵ Product ✵✵

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I only managed to get their miniature deluxe sample from my purchases of Bichup and Cheongidan series, which is their face cream known as Hwanyu Imperial Youth Cream that retails at SGD968.00 for 60ml. The deluxe sample that I managed to snag comes with 4ml of the Hwanyu Imperial Youth Cream and a 1g balm perfume encased in a golden mirror case. Even the box that holds these miniature looks exclusive. I’ve gotten 2 boxes of these as WHOO’s as I purchased during my birthday month.

It’s claimed that this cream has been carefully researched with luxurious ingredients and oriental herbs. WHOO even said that using the cream able to reverse the time and restore the skin to 10 years ago. It’s able to regenerate skin, effectively improves wrinkles and elasticity problems, and balances the complexion, and brightens the skin.

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The texture of the cream is extremely rich at first touch and you’ll shock even afraid that the cream would be too rich for your skin, however upon applying it to the skin, it feels velvety soft, and silky. It immediately dissolves into the skin without leaving any stickiness residue and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin as well, just make sure to take an appropriate amount during each application.

It’s easy to recognize the scent of the oriental herb in this cream, even WHOO suggested smelling the cream before application as this would soothe our mind. This is a very similar technique to Decorté where the state of mind has a direct impact on the skincare efficacy on our skin.

As for the perfume balm, nothing much to say as it’s just a regular balm perfume, the scent doesn’t even last long. The only good thing is the nice packaging.

✵✵ Notable Ingredients ✵✵

WHOO stated that there are a total of 74 premium and luxurious ingredients being used in the product. The chart below shows each ingredient used are in correlation with the 5 elements Wood, Fire, Earth, Water, and Gold/Metal and it is important to have these elements in the perfect state to achieve the balance in Yin/Yang energy which is the Cold/Hot energy.

• Tianshan Snow Lotus (aka Saussurea Involucrata Extract): This is a very valuable oriental medicinal plant because it is found only in the Xinjiang Uighur region of Tibet and in the Himalayas and can be gathered only in July and August when the flowers have bloomed. It is an extremely good humectant thus excellent in retaining moisture in our skin. Thus able to pump necessary moisture into dehydrated skin and reduces the appearance of fatigues.
• Deer Antler Cordyceps (aka Deer Velvet): Siberian young antlers and dongchunghacho, regulates the skin’s metabolism and maintains its balance. It contains collagen and amino acids both also a good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
• 35-Year-Old Whole Wild Ginseng Plant (aka Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem/Root Extract): It’s harvested in the deep valley of Gangwon Province also known as the herb of eternal youth for Emperor Shi Huang of Qin of China. The main function is it enhances the skin’s repairing results, restores Yang energy, and supports the efficacies of Black Diamond Truffle to create a perfect energy balance. The wild ginseng also repairs dry skin that lacks vitality and nourishes aged skin. 
• Black Diamond Truffle (aka Tuber Melanosporum Extract): It nourishes the skin with essential fatty acids and boosts the skin’s Yin energy to counterbalance the efficacies of Wild Ginseng. Both the 35-Year-Old Whole Wild Ginseng and Black Diamond Truffle aid in smoothening and brightening dull and rough skin. At the same time, these remarkable herbs help to restore Yin and Yang balance to the skin.

There’re so many other great ingredients which for sure I’m not able to cover all. So I would only highlight those that quite important:-

Cordyceps Sinensis Extract a type of Fungi is also a great skin conditioning which able to hydrate and soften skin. 

Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract is a type of flowering plant is a good healing agent and in skin conditioning

Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract famously known as Solomon Seal is used widely in Kbeauty known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and good in skin conditioning too. Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract is also a good anti-microbial and anti-inflammatories agent.

Punica Granatum Fruit Extract aka Pomegranate. It’s rich in antioxidants that help fight and repair free radical damage from the sun and environmental stressors such as hyperpigmentation and age spots. Studies have shown the efficacy of Punica Granatum extract in protecting the skin against UVB-induced damage. Even Estée Lauder has a full skincare line that focuses on the use of pomegranate.

Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract is able to encourage cell turnover, improve elasticity and firmness of skin.

Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract aka Black Cohosh is an anti-microbial. And is also able to inhibit suppression of the formation of melanin. Because of its active constituents flavonoids, it carries antioxidant properties Glycoside in black cohosh, it retains moisture for longer periods. Also, it draws moisture from the surrounding environment, making skin well moisturized.

Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract is from Yam. It also high in anti-oxidant. Moisturizing with skin brightening effect as well as anti-inflammatory

Trifolium Pratense Leaf Extract from the Red Clover is rich in isoflavones. Isoflavones are non-steroidal hormones. The extract is a good anti-wrinkle agent

Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract is from a type of flower known as Gromwell, the root of this plant have one of the best antioxidant and skin-soothing agent.

Juglans Regia Seed Extract is from Walnut and Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract a Wild Celery. Both are good in skin conditioning and as well as anti-inflammatory.

Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract aka Cornelian Cherries is rich in Vitamin A

Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract AKA Licorice famously used in many skincare due to its abilities to refine uneven skin tone and also is a potent antioxidant and has skin-soothing ingredient.

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil loaded with emollient and nourishing fatty acids. It’s a high oleic acid oil (50-67% oleic acid and only 0-5% linoleic acid) that makes it very emollient and ideal for dry skin types (and less ideal for acne-prone skin).

Thymus Vulgaris Extract aka Thyme. It has soothing and antioxidant properties.

It also contains Mica a natural mineral powder which usually used in a cosmetic and highly controversial ingredient. The main purpose is to improve the skin feel.

✵✵ Result ✵✵

By using the 2 deluxe samples which equivalent to 8ml, would last me for almost a month as I only use them during night time skincare regime. One of the immediate effects is the extremely effective conditioning of skin where I don’t wake up with oily skin. The skin even feels velvety soft.

However, I don’t see and skin-brightening or any other wrinkle improvement that may be due to only managed to try for a short period.

✵✵ Overall Rating ✵✵

For the time being, I don’t think I will be purchasing this mainly due to the price point. I feel that this range is targeted at a different group of clientele, especially those with higher purchasing power.

Secondly, it’s also targeted at matured age group may be above the forties, who will definitely reap the benefit. As I don’t yet see any obvious effect since my skin doesn’t have many aging issues such as wrinkle, sagging, etc.

Thirdly, I would believe even using their Bichup and Cheongidan would be sufficient enough especially for people in their thirties to reap the benefit of anti-aging.

*I’m an Asian guy with an oily combination skin condition in my early 30s and living a tropical climate with hot and humid weather.
**Reviews are based on my own experience usage, research online and knowledge shared between beauty advisors.