Brand Comparison
Kate Somerville 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 7.8)
Kate Somerville
Kate Somerville's Melrose Place clinic is where celebrities go for facials; her product line extends that clinic energy into retail. The ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment is the signature — a polarizing enzyme-plus-physical scrub. The Goat Milk Cleanser is actually the more useful buy.
Pros
- ✓ Strong cleansers and enzyme treatments
- ✓ Clinical positioning
- ✓ Good results for acne
Cons
- ✗ ExfoliKate is overkill for some
- ✗ Fragranced
- ✗ Premium pricing
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
- ✓ Heritage formulas with modern polish
- ✓ Exceptional packaging
- ✓ Strong mature-skin results
Cons
- ✗ Luxury pricing
- ✗ Heavy herbal fragrance
- ✗ Overkill for anyone under 35
