Two of Korea’s largest Cosmetics company have always been head-on competition with each other.
Let’s go through the rundown on both companies.
Amore Pacific Inc. (formerly PACIFIC, or Tai Pyung Yang) was a small family cosmetic business until September 9, 1945 when it adopted the name ‘PACIFIC’ and became a full fledged company. In the 1970’s, PACIFIC branched out into the tea business, growing into a company symbolizing both beauty and health.
Amore Pacific has been a manufacturer and purveyor of cosmetics since the 1930s. The 1960s saw AMORE PACIFIC become fully established. In 1963, the company sent beauty consultants to shops where Amore Pacific products were sold to train their employees and to learn first hand about the needs of customers. Door-to-door sales effort was also introduced after the launching of the Amore brand in 1964.
For the complete history of Amore Pacific, please refer to : here |
LG H&H was found in 1947, South Korea LG Group founded in 1947, LG Household & Health Care was the first company in Korea to produce and sell toothpaste, synthetic detergents, and other household supplies and products. In 1959, LG Electronics created the beginnings of Korea’s electronics industry by developing the nation’s first radio. Only in 1984, LG Corporation expanded into the cosmetics business, and is now developing as a world-class manufacturer of household and health care products.
It was established in 1947 as LUCKY Chemical Industrial Co and began production of the LUCKY Facial Cream . In 1950 , the company set up the first Cosmetics Research Laboratory. The company produced toothpaste, soap, detergent in the 1960s and released their first cosmetic line DEBON in 1983. In 1995, LG Cosmetics established a joint venture company in China and changed it’s name to LG Chemical Ltd. |
Round 1 : Sulwhasoo VS History Of Whoo
Sulwhasoo’s ( the name of Amore Pacific’s founder : Sung Hwan Suh – coincidence? ) history dates back to 1960s though the brand Sulwhasoo was only introduced in 1987 as ‘Sulwha’. Every researcher in Amore Pacific R&D Centre thoroughly examined as many books from Korea, China and Japan as they could find and listed around 500 oriental herbal ingredients that are helpful to the skin. Then, they eliminated the ones with strong smells, intense colors, or ones that degrades easily, and used the remaining herbs to launch SULWHA in 1987, and eventually Sulwhasoo in 1997.
In 2009, Sulwhasoo went through it’s second advancement. They introduced a new packaging design and reinforced the formula of its products containing more fresh and fermented medicinal plants.
The brand revolves around their ‘star’ ingredient called the Jaeumdan – a unique and original formula that supplements the energy and keeps the skin refined and beautiful.
Jaeumdan is Sulwhasoo’s original mixture of five oriental plants -Paeonia Albiflora, Nelumbo Nucifera seed, Polygonatum Officinale, Lilium Tigrinum and Rehmannia Glutinosa- representing the Five Elements. The new 2009 Jaeumdan applied the principle of mixture of the fresh and the fermented for better effects.
The root of Paeonia Albiflora dried under sunlight fills up the Yin in the liver and contains tannin and Paeoniflorin for tranquility and anti-inflam mation. According to Donguibogam, Paeonia Albiflora is known to stimulate blood circulation, comfort the internal organs, and treat every illness of women.
The matured seed of Nelumbo Nucifera enhances energy and treats fever. Fills up the Yin in the mind and smoothes skin through moisturization and blood circulation. Replenishes blood circulation to revive the face tone.
The root of Polygonatum Officinale, dried under sunlight, stops the thirst inside your body to treat dryness and create body fluids. Contains various minerals to improve skin resilience and stops thirst inside the body.
Lilium Tigrinum helps your lung stay healthy and treats nonproductive cough. Evenly distributes energy and body fluids inside the body to tranquilize the mind and to refine the skin. Donguibogam’s Brewed Medicine Part introdu ces the method of using brewed Lilium Tigrinum to cleanse wounded areas.
The root of Rehmannia Glutinosa is the essence of the five internal organs, energy and blood circulation, and balance of Yin and Yang in human body. It manages fluid circulation and has an outstanding moisturizing effect. It is also helpful for pigmentation or dullness caused by aging and relieves thirst caused by fever. |
Launched only in 2003 to grab Sulwhasoo’s dominance on the Korean herbal cosmetics share, Whoo is a modern interpretation of the royal court secrets. It’s logo – 后 – a Chinese character which translates to ‘empress’ in English, it based on beauty secrets and prescription handed down from Ancient China’s Imperial Royal Family.
Therefore, the History Of Whoo is a combination of prescriptions from Ancient China and the Korean Technology. Like Sulwhasoo’s ‘Star’ ingredient –Jaeumdan , Whoo also has it’s own called Gongjindan a well known treasured skin perfecting formula created for emperors and empresses in ancient China.
Gongjindan contains many functional herbal ingredients which has properties such as anti-oxidants, anti aging, anti-fatigue, neurotransmitters and immune agents. ‘Dong-Eui-Bo-Gam (Korea’s medical book) describes ‘Gong-Jin-Dan’ as follows:
Prescribed for the first time by wiyeokrim in China’s Yuan Dynasty, Gongshindan was recorded in seuideukhyobang (old Chinese medical book). It has been widely used for diseases associated with convalescent weakness and liver function deterioration. |
Round 2 : IOPE VS OHUI
Both focuses more on the ‘western’ and modern cosmetic aspect and technology , and ‘cell’ science. OHUI is exceptional in the Stem Cells department.
OHUI even has an english site : here
Round 3 : Hanule/Hanyul VS Sooryehan
If Sulwhasoo and History are for Queens, Hannule ( Amore ) and Sooryehan ( LG ) are for princesses. Aimed at a younger age group, both brands also focuses on chinese/korean medicine.
Round 4 : HERA VS ISA KNOX
HERA is more well known for their make up products while ISA KNOX is a pioneer in the skincare section. Isa Knox is also one of LG’s earliest brands that exist to this day. Both brands have an elder age group focus. Isa Knox’s spokesperson, Lee Hyori, is Korea’s most famous female singer ever and they even managed to rope in Hollywood Jessica Alba as a spokesperson.
Round 5 : ETUDE HOUSE VS LACVERT
Both are brands that cater to young girls. Etude House has more selection when it comes to make-up. Both uses famous idols.
Round 6 : Primera VS Belif
Both brands are based on the naturalism, organic and natural concept.
Round 7 : Innisfree/Mamonde VS The Face Shop
Here you have 3 brands that are also catered to teenagers to young adults. Innisfree also claims to be an all natural brand and both brand uses the most famous Korean teen idols today. These 3 brands are also lower-end brands.
Round 8 : Mirepa VS Vonin
Both are brands for men though Vonin is a lot more famous than Amore’s Mirepa. I personally love both the male spokesperson for these two brands. Hehe..
Round 9 : Hyosia VS Su:m 37
Both brands are based on fermentation science. Have
not managed to get any information regarding Hyo Sia, but LG has done a stellar job on Su-m 37’s marketing as it has managed to become a famous brand in such a short span of time and Amore’s Hyosia is still… unknown.
Round 9 : Ryoe VS Re-En
Amore’s Ryoe and LG’s ReEn are battling it out too for the personal care market. Both brands are herbal oriental hair care!
Who’s been talking lately ?