Brand Comparison

Keana Nadeshiko 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 8.5)

Keana Nadeshiko The History of Whoo

Rating8.5/108.8/10

Price RangeBudget ($)Premium ($$$)

Founded20102003

OriginJapanSouth Korea

Products45

Best ForSensitive, normal, DryMature, Dry

PhilosophyRice-ferment drugstore cult — the ¥1,500 secret every Japanese beauty editor knows.Royal-court hanbang for the woman who wants her anti-aging to feel ceremonial.

Keana Nadeshiko

Keana Nadeshiko's Rice Toner and Rice Face Mask are the two cheapest "Japanese rice skincare" products you can buy, and they routinely beat ¥8,000 premium rivals in blind tests. The packaging is awful drugstore pink. The products are surprisingly good. This is the arbitrage play of the category.

Pros

✓ Drugstore pricing, premium performance
✓ Excellent rice-ferment formulas
✓ Fragrance-free core line

Cons

✗ Ugly drugstore packaging
✗ Limited range
✗ JP-only most channels

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