Brand Comparison

Biossance vs The History of Whoo

A head-to-head comparison of two popular K-beauty brands. Which one is right for your skin?

Our Pick

The History of Whoo

Higher editor rating (8.8 vs 8)

Biossance The History of Whoo

Rating8/108.8/10

Price RangeMid-Range ($$)Premium ($$$)

Founded20032003

OriginSan Francisco, USASouth Korea

Products75

Best ForDry, Sensitive, normalMature, Dry

PhilosophySugarcane-derived squalane as the house ingredient — clean, biotech-led skincare that avoids the extraction problems (shark liver, olive) of traditional squalane.Royal-court hanbang for the woman who wants her anti-aging to feel ceremonial.

Biossance

The squalane oil is a genuinely great single-ingredient face oil and the best argument for the brand. Serums are competent but not category-defining. The 'clean beauty' positioning is better-earned here than at most brands because the biotech story is real. Mid-premium pricing.

Pros

✓ Sugarcane-derived squalane is a real biotech innovation
✓ Solid barrier-focused lineup
✓ Strong sustainability credentials
✓ Squalane oil is the cult hero

Cons

✗ Flagship active (squalane) is widely available
✗ Serums less differentiated than the oil
✗ Premium-tier for clean-beauty positioning

The History of Whoo

Price tags that make you wince and packaging that belongs in a palace museum — but the Bichup Self-Generating Anti-Aging Essence is legitimately good, and the Gongjinhyang:Seol brightening line has receipts. You're paying for the ritual as much as the results, which is either the point or the problem, depending on who you are.

Pros