Review and comparison: massage masks from Sulwhasoo and The History of Whoo
Today I'd like to talk about massage masks I've been using: The History of Whoo Contouring Massage mask and two versions of Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream - the old one and the new one, Massage cream EX. When I started working on the review on my new sleeping masks and the updated versions of the ones that I've used before (you can see what I was using last year here, here, and here), I realized that I never discussed any massage masks that I've been using. I've been enjoying the original Benecircle for a while and managed to
repurchase it right before it got updated, and then I added the new
version of it to my routine as well; I'm going to compare both to the reformulated/renamed version of Jinyulhyang massage mask, a cult favorite from The History of Whoo (THoW). As always, this post is not sponsored in any way, shape or form; I purchased all
products myself and all opinions are my own. As usual, I'm not going to waste any time talking about the packaging, since it does nothing for my skin; I'm more interested in ingredients and the results that I got after using those products. Also, please keep in mind that I'll be talking about my personal experience with those products, so YMMV.
In general, massage mask is more of a spa day product than part of your everyday routine. Almost every facial I ever had incorporated face massage at some point; for that stage of your facial the facialists use a massage cream. The exact products will vary; there are many professional skincare brands that have excellent massage creams, but in general it's not something that you get to buy after your facial to use until the next appointment. However, if you're using a home massage device (like I do) - be it a micro-currents one, like NuFace, or HadaCrie, or ReFa; any mechanical face massager, like Amore Pacific Magnetite15, or Su:m37 Losec Gold Lift Bar, or any of jade stone massage rollers - you'll find that you need some kind of cream that will help your device to glide on your skin without tugging it. Some of the brands, like NuFace, sell their own versions of such creams, but if you happen to dislike them for any reason, you can't just stop using them - you have to find some kind of replacement for them. Many people like to use oils for facial massage, but it might be too heavy for some, and it's hard to use other products on top of it.
I'm a sleeping masks addict, but a last few years I've started using massage masks as well. At first it was a bit confusing; it's not easy to add a new product to (already multi-step) K-beauty-based routine. First massage masks that I bought did not have the best ingredients and my skin was not happy about it, so I ended up using them for body massage. They've been discontinued, so there's no need to dwell on the particulars; let's just say that the experience made me cautious about new purchases.
I got my first Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream as a part of a Sulwhasoo gift set, and it completely changed my attitude towards massage creams/masks. It was a travel size, and I upgraded to a full size after I used it a few times; I've repurchased it at least twice since then. You're advised to use it as a part of evening routine (official website here), but I quickly moved it to mornings; as I mentioned, I always use sleeping masks, and Benecircle is a bit too heavy for my skin to be used before a sleeping mask. There is a long special massage routine on the Sulwhasoo website to be used with this cream, but for me it worked great with my regular technique. I've been using it at least once a week as a second step of my routine for a long while now; I put it on after my toner or AHA/BHA and use whatever massage device I feel like using. After 5-7 minutes of massage most of the product will be absorbed into my skin, and the little amount that's left I can wipe off easily with a tissue or a towel, so it will not interfere with the next step of my skincare routine; most of my serums and ampoules layer on top of Benecircle without any problems, and I didn't notice much pilling going on. However, I soon found another way to use Benecircle; it turned out to be a perfect occlusive moisturizer for cold, windy, stormy weather. I don't have time for a face massage in the mornings during the week; but I've noticed that I would still get some results if I layer about half of the amount of Benecircle that I use for massage on top of my serums and emulsion, and just gently massage and pat it for a couple minutes. If I let it sit on my skin for a few minutes, there will be practically no product left unabsorbed, and I can just continue with my sunscreen.
Ingredients-wise, Benecircle is fairly close to one of Sulwhasoo's bestsellers, Essential Firming cream (official website here). I gave the cream a try a while ago, and while it was good, I prefer Benecircle. They both have the Sulwhasoo's proprietary JISUN Firming complex as their active oriental medicinal ingredient; both have quite a few emollients and moisturizing ingredients. You can compare full ingredients lists for Benecircle and Essential Firming cream EX on cosdna. I find that on my skin (mature, oily, sensitive) Benecircle absorbs slightly faster than the cream, most probably due to small amount of alcohol in the formulation; both have to be massaged in in my oily skin. While generally I try to stay away from products containing considerable amount of alcohol, a small amounts of it do not irritate or dry out my skin, and I never had any adverse reactions to Benecircle. I never noticed any firming effects after using either Benecircle or the cream, but both leave my skin moisturized and plumped up; I think Benecircle did a slightly better job at moisturizing my skin. And last but not least, Benecircle is more wallet-friendly. Essential Firming cream comes in 75ml jar and unless you'll get lucky with promotion event or some kind of a sale, it sells for around $100; Benecircle comes in a tube with almost twice as much product, 120ml, and sells for about half the price of the cream.
No too long ago Benecircle got reformulated; now it sells as Benecircle Massage Cream EX. I did not expect Sulwhasoo to make any big changes in the formulation, and I was right; the full ingredients lists for the old version and the new EX version on cosdna are almost identical. Sulwhasoo removed phytosteryl isostearyl dimer dilinoleate, a lipophilic thickener and binding agent, and a couple more heavy-duty emollients, while adding squalane, a natural emollient and moisturizer that is very close to the natural skin oil. As a result, the texture changed slightly; while the original Benecircle had thicker, balmier texture, the EX version is lighter and creamier. The biggest change for me, however, was the new perfume that got added in the EX version. Most of Sulwhasoo products have very natural, plant-derived scents, almost like Asian herbal medicine, and the original Benecircle used to smell like a pine forest with all the herbs and trees squished and put in the tube. It had this fabulous aromatherapy quality to it, and the was one of the most calming scents I ever experienced from a skincare product. Some of natural skincare companies, like Manyo Factory and Kicho, came up with products that have beautiful natural plant-based scents without any added perfume, and I like them too, but I always loved this particular scent; I never thought that Sulwhasoo might change it. The Ex version smells like flowers; the official website describes the new scent as "fresh and clean, blooming from the bright and pure plum blossom" (here). I did not recognize the plum scent, on me it smells more like a generic flower-y perfume, not really fresh, not obnoxiously sweet, and definitely not unique or special in any way. It's not that I have anything against plum blossoms; I just can't get over the fact that my favorite pine forest scent is gone!
I still get about the same results from the reformulated Benecircle EX; it does great job moisturizing and rejuvenating my skin. My skin loves licorice extract, and I've noticed some brightening effects after using Benecircle on regular basis. If I feel like I have to have a shorter skincare routine for some reason, concentrating of hydration only while skipping other skin concerns, I can put a few layers of hydrating toner under it, spend 5 minutes on face massage, then slap sunscreen on top of the mask and have perfectly plump, healthy-looking skin the whole day. Unfortunately, I'm too unhappy with the scent change, so I'm not sure I'm going to keep repurchasing the new version...
Last couple years I've been exploring different skincare lines from The History of Whoo, and while it's been hit or miss, I found a few very good products; when I got disappointed with reformulated Benecircle EX, I've decided to try a massage cream from THoW's Jinyul line - The History of Whoo Contouring Massage mask (you can check out the whole line on the official's website here). It used to have a different name, but as a part of globalization efforts THoW renamed many of their products in more English-speaker-friendly way. The Jinyul line is targeting mature 40+ skin that needs help with texture, elasticity and moisture levels. Most of the products from this line that I got to try turned out to be too rich for my oily skin; this mask, however, is perfect for me. It's not too heavy or too rich, it sinks into my skin after 5 minutes of face massage, same as Benecircle, and it doesn't break me out despite having some questionable ingredients. Its texture is balmier and heavier than either old of new Benecircle, but it melts on my skin in the same way. When I use another oily or heavy product on top of it, it feels a bit too much for my skin, so I prefer to use it under lightweight serums and gel moisturizers.
Just like Benecircle, Contouring massage mask is plant-based with multiple moisturizers and emollients, but it raises more red flags on cosdna (here). It has more preservatives than Benecircle, and while both have PEGs, Jinyul has them higher on ingredients list - one is even in top five, to be precise. It has ceramides and cholesterol just outside of top 10 ingredients, but no squalane; its plant selection is different from Benecircle, and it has fermented plant extracts (Saccharomyces/black tea) along with regular plant extracts. It comes with its own massage tool, but I never bothered with it and just used one of my regular face massagers. Like Benecircle, it has a special massage technique (here), but I never stick to it; it still works great. Price-wise it's in the same category as Benecircle, if you adjust the pricing to $ per ml.
As far as its performance goes, I actually prefer it to the new Benecircle EX; also, I like its scent more. The whole Jinyul line has its unique scent, and while I tend to avoid added perfume, I can tolerate or even like it if I'm not having any adverse reactions to it. While Jinyul smells even more perfume-y than Benecircle Ex, and its scent is more pronounced and lingers longer, I enjoy it. It moisturizes just as well as Benecircle, and the effects last just as long, but it also gives me a subtle glow from within; I'm not sure how to describe it correctly, but it's not a radiant finish, it's just a glow. My skin looks plump and healthy after I use it. I tried using it two days in a row, and it clogged my pores slightly; it's nothing that peeling gel or konjac sponge can't fix thought. Most of the time I use once or twice per week; I don't use in next day after I used Benecircle and vice versa. I'm going to repurchase it when I'll run out, but since a little goes a long way, I still have quite a bit of product left.
TL;DR
- Both masks are excellent moisturizers, and I like them.
- Benecircle has cleaner ingredients, but Jinyul mask seems to have more noticeable effect on my skin.
- I can layer almost any skincare products on top of Benecircle, but I prefer to use lightweight serums/essences and gel creams with Jinyul Massage mask.
- Jinyul mask is slightly heavier in texture than both versions of Benecircle, so I can't use it several days in a row; I think someone with normal or dry skin will not have to worry about it, but if you got oily skin, like me, try not to use it more often than every other day.
- Ingredients-wise Benecircle is fairly similar to Essential Firming cream, so if you like the cream and want to try a product with the same active herbal complex (JISUN Firming Complex was used in both products) that is slightly more economical, you might want to give Benecircle a try.
I'm a sleeping masks addict, but a last few years I've started using massage masks as well. At first it was a bit confusing; it's not easy to add a new product to (already multi-step) K-beauty-based routine. First massage masks that I bought did not have the best ingredients and my skin was not happy about it, so I ended up using them for body massage. They've been discontinued, so there's no need to dwell on the particulars; let's just say that the experience made me cautious about new purchases.
 |
| 1. Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream (old version); 2. Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream EX (new, reformulated version); 3. The History of Whoo Jinyul Contouring Massage mask |
I got my first Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream as a part of a Sulwhasoo gift set, and it completely changed my attitude towards massage creams/masks. It was a travel size, and I upgraded to a full size after I used it a few times; I've repurchased it at least twice since then. You're advised to use it as a part of evening routine (official website here), but I quickly moved it to mornings; as I mentioned, I always use sleeping masks, and Benecircle is a bit too heavy for my skin to be used before a sleeping mask. There is a long special massage routine on the Sulwhasoo website to be used with this cream, but for me it worked great with my regular technique. I've been using it at least once a week as a second step of my routine for a long while now; I put it on after my toner or AHA/BHA and use whatever massage device I feel like using. After 5-7 minutes of massage most of the product will be absorbed into my skin, and the little amount that's left I can wipe off easily with a tissue or a towel, so it will not interfere with the next step of my skincare routine; most of my serums and ampoules layer on top of Benecircle without any problems, and I didn't notice much pilling going on. However, I soon found another way to use Benecircle; it turned out to be a perfect occlusive moisturizer for cold, windy, stormy weather. I don't have time for a face massage in the mornings during the week; but I've noticed that I would still get some results if I layer about half of the amount of Benecircle that I use for massage on top of my serums and emulsion, and just gently massage and pat it for a couple minutes. If I let it sit on my skin for a few minutes, there will be practically no product left unabsorbed, and I can just continue with my sunscreen.
Ingredients-wise, Benecircle is fairly close to one of Sulwhasoo's bestsellers, Essential Firming cream (official website here). I gave the cream a try a while ago, and while it was good, I prefer Benecircle. They both have the Sulwhasoo's proprietary JISUN Firming complex as their active oriental medicinal ingredient; both have quite a few emollients and moisturizing ingredients. You can compare full ingredients lists for Benecircle and Essential Firming cream EX on cosdna. I find that on my skin (mature, oily, sensitive) Benecircle absorbs slightly faster than the cream, most probably due to small amount of alcohol in the formulation; both have to be massaged in in my oily skin. While generally I try to stay away from products containing considerable amount of alcohol, a small amounts of it do not irritate or dry out my skin, and I never had any adverse reactions to Benecircle. I never noticed any firming effects after using either Benecircle or the cream, but both leave my skin moisturized and plumped up; I think Benecircle did a slightly better job at moisturizing my skin. And last but not least, Benecircle is more wallet-friendly. Essential Firming cream comes in 75ml jar and unless you'll get lucky with promotion event or some kind of a sale, it sells for around $100; Benecircle comes in a tube with almost twice as much product, 120ml, and sells for about half the price of the cream.
 |
| 1. Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream (old version); 2. Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream EX (new, reformulated version); 3. The History of Whoo Jinyul Contouring Massage mask |
No too long ago Benecircle got reformulated; now it sells as Benecircle Massage Cream EX. I did not expect Sulwhasoo to make any big changes in the formulation, and I was right; the full ingredients lists for the old version and the new EX version on cosdna are almost identical. Sulwhasoo removed phytosteryl isostearyl dimer dilinoleate, a lipophilic thickener and binding agent, and a couple more heavy-duty emollients, while adding squalane, a natural emollient and moisturizer that is very close to the natural skin oil. As a result, the texture changed slightly; while the original Benecircle had thicker, balmier texture, the EX version is lighter and creamier. The biggest change for me, however, was the new perfume that got added in the EX version. Most of Sulwhasoo products have very natural, plant-derived scents, almost like Asian herbal medicine, and the original Benecircle used to smell like a pine forest with all the herbs and trees squished and put in the tube. It had this fabulous aromatherapy quality to it, and the was one of the most calming scents I ever experienced from a skincare product. Some of natural skincare companies, like Manyo Factory and Kicho, came up with products that have beautiful natural plant-based scents without any added perfume, and I like them too, but I always loved this particular scent; I never thought that Sulwhasoo might change it. The Ex version smells like flowers; the official website describes the new scent as "fresh and clean, blooming from the bright and pure plum blossom" (here). I did not recognize the plum scent, on me it smells more like a generic flower-y perfume, not really fresh, not obnoxiously sweet, and definitely not unique or special in any way. It's not that I have anything against plum blossoms; I just can't get over the fact that my favorite pine forest scent is gone!
I still get about the same results from the reformulated Benecircle EX; it does great job moisturizing and rejuvenating my skin. My skin loves licorice extract, and I've noticed some brightening effects after using Benecircle on regular basis. If I feel like I have to have a shorter skincare routine for some reason, concentrating of hydration only while skipping other skin concerns, I can put a few layers of hydrating toner under it, spend 5 minutes on face massage, then slap sunscreen on top of the mask and have perfectly plump, healthy-looking skin the whole day. Unfortunately, I'm too unhappy with the scent change, so I'm not sure I'm going to keep repurchasing the new version...
 |
| 1. Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream (old version); 2. Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream EX (new, reformulated version); 3. The History of Whoo Jinyul Contouring Massage mask |
Last couple years I've been exploring different skincare lines from The History of Whoo, and while it's been hit or miss, I found a few very good products; when I got disappointed with reformulated Benecircle EX, I've decided to try a massage cream from THoW's Jinyul line - The History of Whoo Contouring Massage mask (you can check out the whole line on the official's website here). It used to have a different name, but as a part of globalization efforts THoW renamed many of their products in more English-speaker-friendly way. The Jinyul line is targeting mature 40+ skin that needs help with texture, elasticity and moisture levels. Most of the products from this line that I got to try turned out to be too rich for my oily skin; this mask, however, is perfect for me. It's not too heavy or too rich, it sinks into my skin after 5 minutes of face massage, same as Benecircle, and it doesn't break me out despite having some questionable ingredients. Its texture is balmier and heavier than either old of new Benecircle, but it melts on my skin in the same way. When I use another oily or heavy product on top of it, it feels a bit too much for my skin, so I prefer to use it under lightweight serums and gel moisturizers.
Just like Benecircle, Contouring massage mask is plant-based with multiple moisturizers and emollients, but it raises more red flags on cosdna (here). It has more preservatives than Benecircle, and while both have PEGs, Jinyul has them higher on ingredients list - one is even in top five, to be precise. It has ceramides and cholesterol just outside of top 10 ingredients, but no squalane; its plant selection is different from Benecircle, and it has fermented plant extracts (Saccharomyces/black tea) along with regular plant extracts. It comes with its own massage tool, but I never bothered with it and just used one of my regular face massagers. Like Benecircle, it has a special massage technique (here), but I never stick to it; it still works great. Price-wise it's in the same category as Benecircle, if you adjust the pricing to $ per ml.
 |
| 1. Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream (old version); 2. Sulwhasoo Benecircle Massage cream EX (new, reformulated version); 3. The History of Whoo Jinyul Contouring Massage mask |
As far as its performance goes, I actually prefer it to the new Benecircle EX; also, I like its scent more. The whole Jinyul line has its unique scent, and while I tend to avoid added perfume, I can tolerate or even like it if I'm not having any adverse reactions to it. While Jinyul smells even more perfume-y than Benecircle Ex, and its scent is more pronounced and lingers longer, I enjoy it. It moisturizes just as well as Benecircle, and the effects last just as long, but it also gives me a subtle glow from within; I'm not sure how to describe it correctly, but it's not a radiant finish, it's just a glow. My skin looks plump and healthy after I use it. I tried using it two days in a row, and it clogged my pores slightly; it's nothing that peeling gel or konjac sponge can't fix thought. Most of the time I use once or twice per week; I don't use in next day after I used Benecircle and vice versa. I'm going to repurchase it when I'll run out, but since a little goes a long way, I still have quite a bit of product left.
TL;DR
- Both masks are excellent moisturizers, and I like them.
- Benecircle has cleaner ingredients, but Jinyul mask seems to have more noticeable effect on my skin.
- I can layer almost any skincare products on top of Benecircle, but I prefer to use lightweight serums/essences and gel creams with Jinyul Massage mask.
- Jinyul mask is slightly heavier in texture than both versions of Benecircle, so I can't use it several days in a row; I think someone with normal or dry skin will not have to worry about it, but if you got oily skin, like me, try not to use it more often than every other day.
- Ingredients-wise Benecircle is fairly similar to Essential Firming cream, so if you like the cream and want to try a product with the same active herbal complex (JISUN Firming Complex was used in both products) that is slightly more economical, you might want to give Benecircle a try.
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