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TH
THE WHOO

Gongjinhyang Hydrating Sunscreen Fluid

SPF 50+ · PA+++ Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that disappear on skin. KR South Korea global Formulation variant: global. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Alcohol denat at #2, octinoxate, ensulizole and a parade of fragrance allergens — high irritation potential and endocrine concern.

◐ CHEM Chemical filters Chemical filters — Organic filters absorb UV. Cosmetically elegant; filter selection matters. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB across the full sun-damage spectrum.
58.5
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1389 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Alcohol denat at #2, octinoxate, ensulizole and a parade of fragrance allergens — high irritation potential and endocrine concern.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%.
Verdict Should you buy it?

A SPF 50+ PA+++ chemical fluid pairing octinoxate, octisalate, amiloxate, PBSA, bemotrizinol, and Uvinul A Plus over a long Korean herbal blend. Alcohol denat sits second and the fragrance declares eight EU-regulated allergens — a high sensitization profile.

Pros
  • Includes bemotrizinol, a modern broad-spectrum filter
  • Uvinul A Plus and PBSA add UVA-I and UVB diversity
  • Extensive ginseng and traditional Korean herbal extracts
  • SPF 50+ PA+++ rated
Cons
  • Alcohol denat sits second in the INCI
  • Fragrance declares eight EU-regulated allergens
  • Very long botanical list raises sensitizer load
  • Octinoxate is photo-unstable

Who it's for: A traditional Korean herbal-skincare buyer with non-reactive skin — avoid if you react to alcohol, fragrance, or large botanical blends.

01 Score breakdown
UV protection How well the product blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 95
Filter modernity Penalises legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen filters. 67
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, known sensitisers. 18
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity, biodegradability of UV filters and surfactants. 65
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, comfort on skin. 62
Health safety Endocrine concerns, systemic absorption signals across the formula. 38
02 Composition · key UV filters 6 filters resolved
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
Octinoxate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Octisalate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Bemotrizinol Modern Next-gen photostable filter; low irritation profile.
Uvinul A Plus Modern Next-gen photostable filter; low irritation profile.
Amiloxate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
PBSA Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
03 At-a-glance facts
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid blends both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Cream
Finish How the formula looks on skin once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' differs — may contain masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
No
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Does not refer to fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which are emollients.
No
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 66 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 2 LEGACY FILTER 4 MINERAL FILTER 0 ADDED FRAGRANCE 1 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 9 ALCOHOL 1 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 2
Water· Alcohol Denat. Drying short-chain alcohol — can compromise the skin barrier and disturb the film if used in high amounts. · Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate Octinoxate — endocrine-disruption literature. · Ethylhexyl Salicylate Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated. ·Dipropylene Glycol·Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer· Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine Tinosorb S — broad-spectrum, very photostable. ·Hydrogenated Lecithin· Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate Uvinul A Plus — modern photostable UVA filter. · Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate Amiloxate · Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid PBSA · Glycerin Humectant — the workhorse hydrator. ·Polysorbate 20·Silica·Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract·Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract·Panax Ginseng Root Extract·Cnidium Officinale Root Extract·Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract·Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract·Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract·Velvet Extract (pending review)·Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract· Thymus Vulgaris Extract Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity. ·Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract·Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract·Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract·Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract· Tocopherol Vitamin E — antioxidant. ·Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract·Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract·Nelumbo Nucifera Extract (pending review)·Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract·Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract·Achyranthes Bidentata Root Extract·Allium Tuberosum Seed Extract·Angelica Gigas Root Extract·Epimedium Koreanum Extract·Eucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract·Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract·Polygala Tenuifolia Root Extract·Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract·Tromethamine·Peg-10 Rapeseed Sterol·Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6·Butylene Glycol·Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate·Stearic Acid·Behenic Acid·Myristic Acid·Sorbitol·Lecithin·Polysorbate 80·T-butyl Alcohol·1‚2-Hexanediol·Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride·Xanthan Gum· Fragrance Synthetic fragrance blend — a common irritant. Composition is a trade secret; can include dozens of compounds. Avoid if your skin is reactive. · Alpha-isomethyl Ionone Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added. · Benzyl Benzoate Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added. · Citral Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added. · Citronellol Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added. · Geraniol Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added. · Hydroxycitronellal Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added. · Limonene Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added. · Linalool Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 19 Jun 2026. Show in detail
01 Water Water
02 Alcohol Denat. ALCOHOL Drying short-chain alcohol — can compromise the skin barrier and disturb the film if used in high amounts.
03 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate LEGACY FILTER Octinoxate — endocrine-disruption literature.
04 Ethylhexyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Octisalate — older filter; well-tolerated.
05 Dipropylene Glycol Dipropylene Glycol
06 Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
07 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine MODERN FILTER Tinosorb S — broad-spectrum, very photostable.
08 Hydrogenated Lecithin Hydrogenated Lecithin
09 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate MODERN FILTER Uvinul A Plus — modern photostable UVA filter.
10 Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate LEGACY FILTER Amiloxate
11 Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid LEGACY FILTER PBSA
12 Glycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
13 Polysorbate 20 Polysorbate 20
14 Silica Silica
15 Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract
16 Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract Bupleurum Root Extract
17 Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ginseng Root Extract
18 Cnidium Officinale Root Extract Cnidium Root Extract
19 Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract
20 Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract
21 Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
22 Velvet Extract Pending review
23 Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract Japanese Angelica Root Extract
24 Thymus Vulgaris Extract NATURAL FRAGRANCE Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity.
25 Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
26 Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
27 Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
28 Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract Lotus Germ Extract
29 Tocopherol ACTIVE Vitamin E — antioxidant.
30 Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract Dwarf Lilyturf Root Extract
31 Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
32 Nelumbo Nucifera Extract Pending review
33 Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract Lotus Root Extract
34 Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
35 Achyranthes Bidentata Root Extract
36 Allium Tuberosum Seed Extract
37 Angelica Gigas Root Extract
38 Epimedium Koreanum Extract
39 Eucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract
40 Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract Chinese Wolfberry Fruit Extract
41 Polygala Tenuifolia Root Extract
42 Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract
43 Tromethamine Tromethamine
44 Peg-10 Rapeseed Sterol
45 Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
46 Butylene Glycol Butylene Glycol
47 Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
48 Stearic Acid Stearic Acid
49 Behenic Acid Behenic Acid
50 Myristic Acid Myristic Acid
51 Sorbitol Sorbitol
52 Lecithin Lecithin
53 Polysorbate 80 Polysorbate 80
54 T-butyl Alcohol t-Butyl Alcohol
55 1‚2-Hexanediol 1,2-Hexanediol
56 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
57 Xanthan Gum Xanthan Gum
58 Fragrance ADDED FRAGRANCE Synthetic fragrance blend — a common irritant. Composition is a trade secret; can include dozens of compounds. Avoid if your skin is reactive.
59 Alpha-isomethyl Ionone NATURAL FRAGRANCE Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.
60 Benzyl Benzoate NATURAL FRAGRANCE Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.
61 Citral NATURAL FRAGRANCE Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.
62 Citronellol NATURAL FRAGRANCE Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.
63 Geraniol NATURAL FRAGRANCE Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.
64 Hydroxycitronellal NATURAL FRAGRANCE Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.
65 Limonene NATURAL FRAGRANCE Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.
66 Linalool NATURAL FRAGRANCE Known fragrance allergen (one of the EU-26). Naturally found in essential oils; required to be listed by name in the EU. Can trigger sensitivity even when no synthetic parfum is added.