Jane YooFounder and Curator, K-Beauty Immersion at SCC Supplier's Day · Board-Certified Dermatologist & Mohs Surgeon | K-Beauty Strategist | Health Policy Analyst | BeautyTech & AI Consultant

The History of Whoo Imperial Youth Collection | Dermatologist Review

2 Aug 2026 · 3 min

Watch on YouTube

2:31

In this video, board‑certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Jane Yoo introduces The Whoo, a Korean luxury skincare line created by LG Household & Health Care under a government initiative to showcase Korea’s cultural heritage. She explains that the brand fuses traditional oriental herbal medicine—drawn from historic royal court prescriptions—with modern cosmetic science, emphasizing rare Eastern botanicals. The Imperial Youth Collection exemplifies this philosophy, featuring key actives such as wild ginseng, a ginseng‑derived ingredient called ginside (extracted from 30‑year‑old wild ginseng), and a proprietary “senefense” complex that supports skin vitality. Dr. Yoo reviews the three products in the collection: the Imperial Youth Concentrate Serum (quick‑absorbing serum that delivers concentrated ginseng actives to improve firmness, texture, and radiance), the Imperial Youth Contour Eye Cream (a cushion‑texture cream for the delicate eye and mouth area that smooths lines, reduces puffiness, and is applied after warming between fingertips to enhance absorption), and the Imperial Youth Cream (a rich, sealing moisturizer applied after warming in the hands to reinforce a ritualistic experience and restore skin vitality). Throughout, she highlights the brand’s heritage‑driven approach, the scientific rationale behind the ingredients, and the ritual‑focused application methods, positioning the collection as a luxury blend of tradition, science, and skincare performance.

Chapters

Hi everyone, I'm Dr. Jane Yoo, board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. Today I'm spotlighting The Whoo!, a Korean skincare brand that merges traditional herbal medicine with modern cosmetic science. In the early 2000s, the South Korean government appointed LG Household and Health Care to create a premium cosmetic brand that could showcase the country's cultural heritage. The result was the history of Whoo! Or The Who, a luxury line inspired by traditional oriental medicine prescriptions recorded in Korean and Chinese royal courts, reinterpreted with modern research and a focus on rare Eastern medicinal ingredients. The Imperial Youth Collection is a great example of this philosophy. Each formula combines wild ginseng, ginside derived from 30-year-old wild ginseng, and senefense,, a proprietary complex that supports skin vitality and resilience. So let's go through these 3 products in the kit. First is the Imperial Youth Concentrate Serum. This serum absorbs quickly and replenishes elasticity and nourishment by delivering concentrated ginseng actives. It's designed to support firmness, smooth texture, and bring energy back to tired skin. Creating a more radiant, supple look over time. Next is the Imperial Youth Contour Eye Cream. This formula was created for the delicate skin around the eyes and the mouth, areas that tend to show early signs of aging. It helps to smooth lines, reduce dullness and puffiness, and support firmness with a cushion texture. The recommended method of warming the cream between your fingertips before gently tapping it also enhances absorption and circulation, making it as much a ritual as a treatment. Finally, the Imperial Youth Cream serves as a last step in the routine. It's a rich moisturizer that seals in hydration and nourishment while helping restore the skin's vitality. Warming the cream in the hands before pressing it onto the face and the neck allows the actives to absorb more effectively and reinforces the sense of ritual that defines the HOU experience. With its roots in royal history and its emphasis on rare botanicals, the history of HOU offers a modern interpretation of traditional beauty practices, bringing together heritage, science, and skincare luxury.