Beauty of Joseon has quickly become a shining star in South Korean beauty and K-beauty. The brand has gained a significant surge in global popularity thanks to its unique combination of traditional ingredients and modern formulations – not least their viral sunscreen that has become a talking point on TikTok. With Korean skincare focusing on gentle yet effective skincare, Beauty of Joseon has won the hearts of skincare enthusiasts worldwide. Here, you will learn why the brand has become so beloved and how it can give your skin a glow while protecting and caring for your skin.
Philosophy & Background
Beauty of Joseon was founded by Sumin Lee with a vision to merge traditional and modern skincare. The inspiration comes from the beauty secrets of the Joseon dynasty, especially a female encyclopedia from the 19th century called Gyuhap Chongseo, which documented the carefully crafted skincare rituals of noblewomen. By integrating the traditional wisdom of hanbang (Korean herbal medicine) with modern, clinically proven formulations, a brand has been created that honors the heritage of history while delivering results for today's needs.
The core philosophy is based on using natural ingredients with therapeutic properties to promote skin health. Beauty of Joseon believes that inner beauty and outer well-being go hand in hand. Therefore, their products are developed with great care: they are 100% cruelty-free (never tested on animals) and many are developed as vegan skincare, completely free from animal ingredients. Sustainability and ethics are at the center of the brand, which uses environmentally friendly packaging and actively works to minimize its impact on the planet. Since the launch of its first product, Beauty of Joseon has consistently prioritized quality. All products are manufactured in Korea, ensuring both authenticity and a high standard.
What makes Beauty of Joseon unique?
What makes Beauty of Joseon unique is its perfect balance between tradition and innovation. The brand revives historical beauty rituals by enriching its products with hanbang herbs such as ginseng, rice water, green tea, red beans, and propolis – ingredients that have been appreciated for centuries for their skincare benefits. At the same time, modern technology and innovative solutions are integrated, such as advanced UV filters in their sun protection, making the products significantly more effective than older formulations.
Beauty of Joseon focuses on creating products that are both gentle and effective – carefully designed to deliver results without causing irritation. With its motto "gentle yet effective skincare," they prioritize clean formulations, often free from fragrance and unnecessary additives. This makes them an excellent choice even for people with sensitive skin, who can use the products without worry. Moreover, the price is surprisingly reasonable. Despite the luxurious ingredients, Beauty of Joseon manages to keep its products affordable, resulting in a loyal following of dedicated skincare enthusiasts. In short, the brand is unique by combining naturally inspired skincare tradition with modern science. The result is elegant products that both care for and give the skin a radiant lyster.
Popular products from Beauty of Joseon
Here are some of Beauty of Joseon's most popular products and their unique features – from cleansing to sun protection. These bestsellers exemplify the brand's philosophy of gentle yet effective skincare, crafted with natural ingredients that truly make a difference.
Radiance Cleansing Balm
A mild and effective cleansing balm that smoothly melts away makeup, sunscreen, and impurities without disrupting the skin's natural balance. When massaged onto dry skin, the balm transforms into a silky oil that easily dissolves even the most stubborn makeup. It is gentle on the eyes and rinses off effortlessly, leaving no greasy residue. The result? Clean, soft, and fresh skin – the perfect first step in a healthy skincare routine, suitable for all skin types.
Glow Deep Serum (Rice + Arbutin)
A lightweight but deeply hydrating serum carefully formulated to provide a radiant glow and a more even skin tone. Enriched with rice extract, which is rich in vitamins, and 2% arbutin, the serum works effectively to reduce pigmentation, combat dullness, and highlight a clearer, more balanced skin tone. At the same time, it deeply hydrates the skin and improves skin texture, resulting in a healthy, dewy glow. The gentle formula absorbs quickly and is suitable for sensitive skin, allowing everyone to benefit from its skin-enhancing effect.
Dynasty Cream
Beauty of Joseon's iconic signature cream and bestseller is a luxurious face cream that combines the power of traditional hanbang ingredients like ginseng root, rice water, and honey. Together, they deliver intensive nourishment and hydration to the skin. Ginseng, rich in antioxidants, helps improve skin elasticity and counteract signs of aging, while honey and rice extract have a soothing and deeply hydrating effect. The richer texture is ideal for dry or sensitive skin that requires extra care. The skin becomes soft, strengthened, and radiates a youthful glow. Ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid also contribute to strengthening the skin's barrier and protecting it from external stressors.
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
The sunscreen praised worldwide. Relief Sun is an ultra-light, broad-spectrum sunscreen enriched with rice extract (vitamin B5) and probiotics. With modern UV filters, it offers powerful protection against both UVA and UVB rays – without leaving a white cast or feeling sticky. The silky texture absorbs quickly and blends into the skin like a moisturizing cream. Perfect for daily use, even for oily or sensitive skin. The product's innovative formula, equipped with a UV filter previously missing in some markets, along with its budget-friendly price, has made it a sensation on social media. Relief Sun has revolutionized the perception of sunscreen and become an indispensable part of many skincare routines.
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
A deep-cleansing clay mask perfect for those struggling with a shiny T-zone, clogged pores or combination skin. The formula is enriched with kaolin clay and red bean extract – a powerful combination that effectively absorbs excess sebum, gently exfoliates the skin, and helps reduce pores. After use, the skin feels both clean and smooth, without any feeling of dryness. This nutrient-rich mask effectively balances oil production while providing powerful antioxidants. The result is clearer skin with reduced pores and improved elasticity. Perfect for oily or combination skin that needs a pore-tightening, yet gentle, treatment.
Skin Types and Conditions
One of Beauty of Joseon's main strengths is that their range is adapted for all skin types and various skin conditions. Whether your skin is dry, oily, combination, or sensitive, you will find products tailored to your specific needs. The formulations are gentle and carefully crafted – most products are completely fragrance-free and free from irritating substances. This makes them particularly suitable for sensitive skin, which can use them without worry. Beauty of Joseon also addresses specific skin issues through carefully selected ingredients and tailored products.
For those with acne-prone skin and large pores, Glow Serum (Propolis + Niacinamide) can be a perfect solution. This serum, enriched with propolis, helps to soothe breakouts, reduce pores and speed up blemish healing for clearer and healthier skin. If you are troubled by hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone, Glow Deep Serum (Rice + Arbutin) is the perfect choice. This effective serum reduces dark spots, evens out skin tone, and gives your complexion a radiant glow. If anti-aging is your goal, we recommend Beauty of Joseon's Revive Serum (Ginseng + Snail Mucin). It is a powerful formula filled with ginseng, snail secretion, licorice root, and niacinamide – ingredients that effectively combat wrinkles, tired skin, and loss of elasticity. The sensitive area around the eyes receives extra care with Revive Eye Serum (Ginseng + Retinal). The formula combines retinal, a gentle variant of retinol, with ginseng to stimulate collagen production and smooth out fine lines – all without causing irritation.
Beauty of Joseon develops its products with a focus on improving the overall health of the skin and addressing fundamental issues such as dryness, uneven texture, and dull skin tone. Through a perfect combination of traditional herbs and modern active ingredients, the skin receives both nourishment and visible results. Whether you want to strengthen a weakened skin barrier, soothe acne-prone skin, or hydrate a thirsty and lifeless complexion, Beauty of Joseon offers a tailored solution for your needs – all without compromising on gentleness or balance.
Create a Routine with Beauty of Joseon
Creating an effective skincare routine with Beauty of Joseon's products is both simple and satisfying. Here is an example of a complete step-by-step routine that you can adapt to your skin type and specific needs.
1. Cleansing (oil/balm)
Start the evening with Radiance Cleansing Balm for an effective and gentle cleansing. Massage the balm on dry skin to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and dirt. Add a little water to emulsify the product, so everything is gently removed without irritating the skin or leaving a greasy residue. In the morning, or as a second step in your evening routine, you can use a water-based cleanser for an extra fresh feeling. For example, Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser is an excellent choice. It effectively removes sweat and excess sebum while leaving the skin clean and refreshed.
2. Toner/Essence
After cleansing, apply a moisturizing toner or Essence to balance the skin's pH and give a first boost of moisture. A fantastic option is Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water – with a full 80% ginseng root extract, it provides the skin with nourishment, antioxidants, and deep intensive hydration. Another excellent choice is Glow Replenishing Rice Toner, which contains rice water and bran extract to soften the skin and provide a radiant glow. Rice water has long been a traditional secret for clear, hydrated, and healthy skin.
3. Serum
The next step in your routine is serum, where you choose a product based on your skin's specific needs. For extra hydration and radiance during the day, you can use Glow Deep Serum, enriched with rice and arbutin. This serum provides intense moisture, improves skin texture, and gives a softer, more radiant complexion. If you instead struggle with acne or redness, you can try Calming Serum in the evening, with green tea and centella, to soothe inflammation and strengthen the skin's natural barrier.
You can also combine different serums to optimize your routine. For example, use Glow Serum in the evening to treat impurities and Glow Deep Serum in the morning for a boost of moisture and radiance. Adjust according to your skin's needs for the best results!
4. Eye Care
Want to counteract signs of aging around the eyes? Feel free to use a specific eye serum or eye cream for the best effect. Revive Eye Serum (Ginseng + Retinal) from Beauty of Joseon is specially developed for the sensitive eye area. With mild retinal that stimulates collagen production and nutrient-rich ginseng that moisturizes, it helps reduce fine lines and dark circles. Take a small amount and apply gently around the eyes with your ring finger to minimize strain on the skin.
5. Moisturizer
Maintain the skin's moisture balance with the right moisturizing cream. In the morning, a light gel-cream like Red Bean Water Gel is perfect for combination or oily skin. It hydrates without feeling heavy and contains red bean, which absorbs excess sebum to keep the skin matte and pores in check. For drier skin, or as part of the evening routine, Dynasty Cream is ideal. It provides intense nourishment and helps the skin barrier recover overnight.
Both creams give a beautiful dewy finish. Red Bean Water Gel feels weightless under makeup and SPF, without flaking or becoming oily, while Dynasty Cream leaves the skin deeply hydrated and soft by morning.
6. Sunscreen (daytime)
In the morning, the skincare routine concludes with one of the most important steps – the application of Relief Sun SPF50+ PA++++ or another sunscreen. A generous amount of this light and hydrating sunscreen is applied as the last step to effectively protect the skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays during the day. Beauty of Joseon's sunscreen is so pleasant that it makes using sunscreen every day easy – no white cast, no stickiness, just perfect protection combined with hydration. Remember: regular use of sunscreen every morning is key to preserving the results of your skincare routine and preventing skin aging.
This routine can of course be adapted as needed. You can, for instance, add exfoliation once or twice a week with the gentle Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel, or use a sheet mask on special occasions. The foundation remains the same: cleansing, multi-layered hydration, and daily sun protection. With Beauty of Joseon, you can easily create an effective skincare routine where each step harmoniously builds on the previous one – for skin that feels balanced, clear, and full of radiance.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What does “hanbang” mean and how is it used in Beauty of Joseon's products?
Hanbang is a term that refers to traditional Korean herbal medicine. In skincare, it means the use of natural herbs with healing properties, based on centuries of knowledge. Beauty of Joseon builds its brand on hanbang – their products contain carefully selected ingredients such as ginseng, green tea, mung beans, red beans, rice, and propolis, inspired by historical recipes from the Joseon era. By combining these traditional ingredients with modern active ingredients, a perfect harmony is created between ancient wisdom and contemporary science, for skincare that unites the best of both worlds.
Is Beauty of Joseon cruelty-free and do they offer vegan skincare?
Yes, Beauty of Joseon is a proud cruelty-free brand – neither their products nor ingredients are tested on animals. Furthermore, many of their products are vegan, as they are formulated without animal ingredients. Their popular creams and serums are examples of this, although there are some exceptions, such as the snail mucin in Revive Serum, which is not vegan. With Beauty of Joseon's With skincare products, you can feel confident that they are developed in an ethical and responsible manner.
What key ingredients distinguish Beauty of Joseon's skincare?
The brand is built on a rich tradition of Korean skincare and is distinguished by its natural key ingredients. Among the most prominent, we find: Ginseng, an antioxidant-rich root that counteracts wrinkles and promotes firm, youthful skin. Rice water, a historical beauty secret rich in vitamins and minerals, known for brightening and hydrating the skin, resulting in a clearer and more hydrated complexion. Green tea, a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient filled with antioxidants that soothes the skin and protects against environmental stress.
In addition to these, the products also contain ingredients such as honey/propolis, which both heal and give the skin a natural glow, red bean/mung bean, which absorbs excess sebum and refines the skin's texture, and centella asiatica, also known as “tiger grass”, which effectively soothes irritation and strengthens the skin barrier.
Together, these natural ingredients create a unique balance between effectiveness and gentleness – perfect for those seeking powerful skincare without compromising on mildness.
Are Beauty of Joseon's products suitable for sensitive skin?
Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of Beauty of Joseon is that their products are carefully formulated to be gentle and kind to the skin. All products are free from added fragrance and harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin. Many of their products are also enriched with soothing and barrier-strengthening ingredients such as panthenol, green tea, centella, and ceramides, making them particularly well-suited for skincare for sensitive skin. In fact, the brand specifically develops its products so that even those with very sensitive skin can use them without problems.
Of course, every skin type is unique, and if you have extremely sensitive skin, it may be wise to do a patch test before trying new products. But overall, Beauty of Joseon has built a reputation for being gentle on the skin, while their products deliver clear results.
How do I choose the right serum from Beauty of Joseon for my skin issue?
Beauty of Joseon offers several high-quality serums, and which one suits you best depends on your specific skincare needs and goals.
Calming Serum (Green Tea + Panthenol)
Perfect for those with sensitive, easily reddened skin or acne-prone tendencies. This serum is enriched with green tea, centella asiatica, and algae, which together soothe redness, repair damage from UV radiation, and deeply hydrate. The result? A more even, balanced skin with less irritation.
Glow Serum (Propolis + Niacinamide)
Perfect for acne-prone skin with breakouts or enlarged pores. Propolis acts anti-inflammatory and promotes healing while soothing acne. With 2% niacinamide, pore size is reduced, redness is calmed, and skin tone is evened out. This serum provides both clarity and a radiant glow – ideal for those who want to prevent blemishes while maintaining a healthy glow.
Glow Deep Serum (Rice + Arbutin)
Perfect for pigmentation spots, sun damage, or an uneven skin tone. With 68% rice extract and 2% arbutin, it works effectively to brighten dark spots, even out skin texture, and give a fresh, radiant glow. Despite its powerful effect against pigmentation, the formula gentle and also suitable for sensitive skin. The result? A more even and radiant skin tone for all skin types.
Revive Serum (Ginseng + Snail Mucin)
The ultimate choice for those who want to counteract signs of aging and revitalize tired skin. With a full 63% ginseng root water, the skin receives a powerful antioxidant boost that protects against external stressors. At the same time, snail mucin, licorice root, and peptides work deeply reparative. This serum improves skin elasticity, plumps and smooths fine lines, while hydrating and nourishing. Perfect for preventing aging or giving dull skin a healthier glow.
Revive Eye Serum (Ginseng + Retinal)
Specifically developed for the eye area, this serum is a lifesaver for those concerned about crow's feet or dark circles. The formula combines 0.02% retinal – a mild yet effective retinol variant that stimulates collagen production and reduces fine lines – with ginseng extract that hydrates and enlivens the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes. Despite its potent content, the serum is gentle enough for daily use. The result? A smoother, brighter, and more youthful eye contour.
As you can see, there is something for every need. Start by reflecting on your specific skincare focuses, such as acne, pigmentation changes, or aging, and choose serums based on these. You can also vary by using different serums at different times – for example, one in the morning and another in the evening – to meet multiple needs simultaneously. Serums from Beauty of Joseon are perfect to combine, as they are based on the same philosophy: maximum effect with minimal irritation.
Where are Beauty of Joseon's products produced?
All products from Beauty of Joseon are exclusively manufactured in South Korea, where the brand proudly preserves its Korean heritage. By keeping the entire production at home, they ensure both high quality and authenticity. When you choose a product from Beauty of Joseon, you not only get Korean skincare – you get a genuine K-beauty experience, carefully developed and created in Korea, that enhances your daily skincare routine.
Conclusion – time to give your skin a glow!
Beauty of Joseon represents the essence of K-beauty: a harmonious combination of tradition and innovation that delivers gentle yet high-performing skincare with impressive results. With a focus on natural ingredients, well-thought-out formulations, and a holistic approach to skin health, Beauty of Joseon has shown why Korean skincare continues to lead. Are you looking for products that strengthen your skin barrier, deeply hydrate, and provide fantastic glow, while being gentle enough for sensitive skin? Then Beauty of Joseon is the obvious choice.
Let your skincare routine be inspired by centuries of Korean wisdom combined with modern science. Give your skin a royal treatment inspired by the beauty rituals of the Joseon dynasty – experience the difference with Beauty of Joseon. Pamper your skin with love and care, and discover a new level of radiance and clarity. Complete your skincare routine with Beauty of Joseon today!