Korean Royalty Secret Recipe: Why Whal Myung is the K-Beauty Brand You Should Get Your Hands On

In 1897, Min Byong-ho – a royal officer in the Korean traditional court – formulated a digestive medicine for the Royal Family of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. It was a secret recipe made up of 11 herbs and that medicine went on to save many lives, earning it the title of “Life-Saving Water”. That medicine was Whal Myung Su.

Developed by Korea’s oldest pharmaceutical company Dong Wha Pharm, Whal Myung Su still exists to this day, 122 years later. And, adapted from the 11-herb formula is a Whal Myung skincare range that has gained immense popularity in Korea. (Even celebrated K-drama star Yeo Jin-Goo of Hotel Del Luna fame endorses it!)

From Saving Lives to Saving Skin  

Five out of the 11 herbs are used in the Whal Myung skincare range, plus shea butter and natural oils like argan and squalene. These five selected ingredients from the Whal Myung Su secret formula are found to have extraordinary benefits that revitalises skin and are packed with anti-oxidant properties. But the folks at Whal Myung remained tight-lipped on what the herbs are. After all, it’s not called a secret recipe for nothing.

Star Product: Whal Myung Skin Elixir

If there is one product you can only choose from the Whal Myung skincare range, make it the Skin Elixir (S$68). It is not known as Whal Myung’s star product for nothing – the Skin Elixir is a multi-tasking product that can act as an anti-ageing serum, toner and facial oil.

Normally, all-in-one products hardly are effective. However, one month after using the Skin Elixir, my face condition is so good that I could even go out without applying any foundation or powder on my face. Granted, I have nice skin to begin with, but the Skin Elixir made it glow. 

I particularly like the light, watery texture of the Skin Elixir. It does not feel oily or sticky like some of the facial oils and serums in the market. The bottle comes with a spray nozzle, which makes it easy for me to just spritz on my face.

Whal Myung WM5™ Meltaway Cleansing Balm

Just as its name suggests, the buttery-textured WM5™ Meltaway Cleansing Balm (S$47) melts away my make-up and cleanses my skin at the same time. It makes use of medicinal herbs such as citrus peel, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. The calming scent adds to the refreshing feeling you would get after washing your face with the cleansing balm. At the end of a tiring work day, that’s basically all we need, isn’t it?

Whal Myung WM5™ Anti-Oxidant Rejuvenating Serum

Rumour has it that this product flew off the shelves at Nordstrom in the United States. The last time we checked on Nordstrom online, it was still listed as “sold out. The Whal Myung WM5™ Anti-Oxidant Rejuvenating Serum (S$56) is a daily-use antioxidant serum that protects your skin from dryness and harsh external environmental factors.

A close look at the ingredient list reveals 11 multi-vitamins, hyaluronic acid as well as natural, skin-fortifying ingredients such as red ginseng, citrus peel, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. All the active ingredients are encapsulated in tiny beads suspended in a polymer gel matrix to deliver all the goodness to your face.

The Whal Myung skincare range is available at selected Guardian stores and Guardian online in Singapore.

GIVEAWAY

Keen to try Whal Myung products? We are giving away 10 sets of the Whal Myung WM5™ Royal Recipe Mini Trio Kit (worth S$23) to 10 lucky readers. Each set comes with a 20ml Skin Elixir, a 10g WM5™ Cleansing Balm and a 5ml WM5™ Anti-Oxidant Rejuvenating Serum – travel-sized and perfect for your year-end holiday!

For a chance to win, simply:

1. Like the Whal Myung Asia Facebook page and follow the Instagram account @whalmyungasia.
2. Share this post on Facebook and tag at least three friends.
3. Name one ingredient that can be found in a Whal Myung product by commenting on our Facebook post.

Contest ends at 11pm on 23 Dec 2019. One winner will be chosen and the winner will be notified via email or Facebook and must be able to collect the prize in Singapore.