In Korean beauty, a popular style or category of products is known as "Hanbang".
These are products that are based on techniques or ingredients used in traditional Oriental medicine clinics. These days, there are a large number of Hanbang Korean skincare brands, targeting both the local and international market.
Many Hanbang brands believe that the goal of Hanbang cosmetics is to restore the skin's balance and function. Many focus on the raw ingredients used in their products, in addition to the way those ingredients are processed.
If you're just starting out with Hanbang cosmetics, here are some brands and products that are not to be missed.
BEST HANBANG BEAUTY BRANDS TO TRY: Beauty of Joseon
Beauty of Joseon products are made using the ingredients that were listed in the “Kyuhab Chongseo“. This was a guide compiled for women in the Joseon Dynasty that focused on skincare for beautiful, clean and pure skin. It typifies the ‘Hanbang’ tradition of Korean ancient traditional skincare.
This was the first Beauty of Joseon product we ever stocked at STYLE STORY (and the brand's first release!)
While it has undergone a few formula and packaging changes since then, this moisturising cream still contains time-honoured Korean herbs. Firstly, it contains rice bran water (29%), Ginseng root water (5%), Squalane (2%) andNiacinamide(2%).
It works to brighten the complexion, firm skin and target the signs of aging for a complexion beautiful enough to rule a nation.
This unique face mask helps to absorb excess oil and gently cleanses away flaky skin and debris without dryness or tightness, with a cooling, soothing texture.
Red bean has played an important role throughout Korean history. It was used as a medicine for its important detoxifying properties and was used as an ingredient in traditional food as well. As recorded in ancient documents, women in Korea's Joseon Dynasty used it with mung bean as a facial cleanser.
Beauty of Joseon's ginseng and snail serum is a newer release that's popular for lightly hydrating your skin.
This one is also enriched with Hanbang ingredients like 63% Ginseng Root Water and 3% Snail Secretion Filtrate. In addition, it can help to brighten a dull complexion.
Want to learn more about Hanbang skincare? Tune into this episode of the Korean Beauty Show podcast:
Best Hanbang Beauty Brands to Try: Sulwhasoo
Undoubtedly one of Korea's best known luxury exports, Sulwhasoo is famous for the use of ginseng in its products. Ginseng is not only internationally renowned for its quality but also for its benefits to both skin and overall health.
Sulwhasoo's journey began with Korean Ginseng, which is why the brand remains dedicated to using it as a key ingredient. Sulwhasoo offers ultimate skin solutions and deliver holistic beauty where the body and mind are in optimum balance.
If you try nothing else from Sulwhasoo make sure it's this serum. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum EX is the ultimate treatment for skin. Not only does it hydrate, nourish and visibly firm it is also the perfect base for your skincare. That's because it boosts the next products in your routine to make sure your skin gets everything out of them.
Firstly, it nourishes and firms skin. Secondly, it helps your next layers of skincare to absorb properly. Finally, it offers a luxury experience and a chance to try Korean skincare at its best.
Sulwhasoo Essential Firming Cream EX (75ml) is another great cream to try if you're after a luxury Korean Beauty moisturiser to fortify mature skin.
Not only does it firm skin but it also strengthens it for an overall younger looking appearance.
It features Black Soybeans and Pueraria Lobata Root extract, as well as Lycium Chinese Fruit extract. When combined this new prescription both lifts the skin and adds resilience.
Building on Sulwhasoo's history of ginseng based-skincare, this new luxury Korean Beauty serum features encapsulated ginseng.
The gel type serum not only targets fine lines but also skin texture and tone, to improve its overall bounce.
BEST HANBANG BEAUTY BRANDS TO TRY: The History of Whoo
The History of Whoo embodies regal beauty through the use of traditional Korean royal beauty secrets and tasteful, minimalist packaging. The luxury brand helps minimize the effects of skin aging by fusing Eastern medicine ingredients with the latest skin care technology for its collection of skin care and makeup for women.
The History Of Whoo Jinyulhyang Intensive Revitalizing Eye Cream is a moisture-rich treat for your eyes. With a gentle light texture, this eye cream contains red ginseng which helps to boost collagen, aid circulation and provide firmness to the skin around the eyes.
As one of Korean beauty's hero ingredients, wild red ginseng works wonders for revitalising the skin. Given the time and effort required for extracting red ginseng, it's only found in the most luxurious and treasured Korean skincare products.
The History Of Whoo Jinyulhyang Red Wild Ginseng Facial Oil 30ml is ideal for anti aging because it contains highly concentrated wild Red Ginseng extracts. Further, almond oil and other herbal ingredients provide intensive care to mature skin. They assist to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
No ingredient is more prized in Korean beauty than wild red ginseng. That's because of the ability it has to transform the skin. However, because the process for extracting red ginseng is so much more difficult than cultivated ginseng, it is not a cheap ingredient. That's why you will only find it in the most truly luxurious Korean skincare products.
BEST HANBANG BEAUTY BRANDS TO TRY: Pyunkang Yul
Developed by Korea’s renowned Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic, Pyunkang Yul is a cruelty-free Korean beauty brand that designs cosmetics to get skin glowing. Based on their natural beauty philosophy, Pyunkang Yul rejects the notion of cosmetics as simply another “shopping” item, and instead carefully select each and every ingredient in their products to ensure they are gentle and safe for skin. Pyunkang Yul is devoted to creating products that correct and maintain the right balance of oil and moisture in the skin, to ensure skin is optimally balanced.
Pyunkang Yul is known for creating Hanbang-inspired beauty products incorporating Korean traditional medical ingredients. This Mist Toner is no exception, containing 95.8% Barburry to calm and moisturise sensitive skin.
It's perfect for managing spring skin concerns because it is hydrating but won't weigh the skin down. It has completed safety and anti-skin irritation testing, making it a good option for those whose skin is easily irritated.
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is an intensely hydrating formula designed to deliver nutrition to skin. The formula contains 91.3% milk vecht root, which is full of skin-beneficial betaine and minerals. This gentle, cruelty-free toner is formulated for dry, sensitive skin.
Combining traditional Korean ingredients with modern skincare, Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner provides intense hydration to dry, sensitive skin.
Pyunkang Yul Concentrated Eye Cream offers deep hydration for a refreshed look, and a stronger skin barrier around the eyes.The luscious cream will give your skin a nutritious boost for a healthy, radiant complexion.
Only healthy and necessary ingredients inspired by Pyunkang Yul's Eastern Medicine Clinic were used, avoiding harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances or colours that don't help your skin.
“Many Hanbang brands believe that the main goal of Hanbang cosmetics is “to restore overall skin function, rather than be limited to the external cause of skin concerns.”
