Every so often, a skincare brand comes along that becomes an instant hit in the beauty world, beloved by editors and influencers alike. With sleek packaging, innovative formulas, and TikTok-famous products, Beauty of Joseon is quickly becoming one of the most popular Korean skincare brands in the UK. If you’ve ever lusted after glass skin, this is the brand for you. Hailing from South Korea, Beauty of Joseon takes inspiration from the women of the Joseon Dynasty, who championed a skincare-first approach to beauty. Using ‘hanbang’ ingredients like ginseng and rice, their products are effective yet gentle on the skin.
If you’re new to Beauty of Joseon, it can be tricky to figure out which products suit your skin best. From viral bestsellers to lesser-known heroes, we’ve broken down the must-haves from their extensive range. Scroll down to discover your new Korean skincare favourites— Korean cleansers, essences, ampoules, and more—to help you perfect your Korean skincare routine.
Is Beauty of Joseon Good?
Beauty of Joseon has earned a devoted following, and for good reason. The brand combines traditional Korean ingredients with modern dermatological science to create solutions for a variety of skin concerns, from acne and dehydration to oiliness and sensitivity. Whether you’re a TikTok skincare enthusiast or new to K-Beauty, Beauty of Joseon offers effective, skin-friendly products that fit seamlessly into any routine.
What is Beauty of Joseon Best Known For?
Beauty of Joseon gained attention when their Relief Sun: Rice + Prebiotics SPF went viral on TikTok. Other popular products include the Ginseng Cleansing Oil and Dynasty Cream—one of their first creations and still a bestseller. But it’s not just the products themselves; it’s also about the standout ingredients like heartleaf, centella asiatica, and snail mucin that have revolutionised the skincare world. While these ingredients are now found in many skincare products, Beauty of Joseon’s expertise in Korean skincare makes them a trusted source.
The Best Beauty of Joseon Cleansers
Start with the basics. A good cleanser is essential, and Beauty of Joseon has options to suit every skin type.
Radiance Cleansing Balm: This balm-type cleansing oil gently melts away sunscreen, makeup, and impurities while nourishing the skin. With rice bran and various grain extracts, it effectively cleanses without drying out or stripping moisture from the skin.
Ginseng Cleansing Oil: This lightweight oil cleanser is formulated with soybean oil that gently dissolves dirt and makeup, as well as micellar cleansing technology that deeply cleanses and moisturises the skin. Perfect for dry skin types.
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser: Formulated with green plum water (a natural AHA) and mung bean, this gel cleanser harnesses the power of plant-derived extracts to maintain the skin’s barrier health. It has a slightly acidic formulation, which helps control sebum to reduce breakouts, without drying out the skin.
The Best Beauty of Joseon Exfoliant
The Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel is a gentle exfoliating solution perfect even for sensitive skin. Drawing inspiration from traditional Korean skincare remedies, this gel combines chemical and physical exfoliation to revitalise and brighten your complexion. Plant-derived cellulose offers a mild physical exfoliation, while fruit-based AHAs gently dissolve dead skin cells and excess sebum. The result? Smooth, glowing skin without irritation. If dullness or stubborn dead skin cells are dragging your complexion down, this peeling gel is your go-to for restoring radiance.
The Best Beauty of Joseon Toners & Essences
The distinction between Korean toners and essences can be subtle, but essences typically pack more potent active ingredients. Beauty of Joseon excels in both categories, making their products indispensable for elevating your skincare routine.
Ginseng Essence Water: Powered by ginseng, a revered ingredient in Korean skincare history, this essence hydrates deeply while promoting clarity and smoothness. Featuring niacinamide to control oil production and glycerin for added hydration, it’s ideal for dry, dull, or dehydrated skin.
Green Plum Refreshing Toner: AHA + BHA: Perfect for tackling hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and congested pores. Enriched with green plum water and 3% glycolic acid, it gently exfoliates to brighten and smooth skin while stimulating cell turnover. Meanwhile, 0.5% salicylic acid penetrates pores to reduce sebum and prevent breakouts.
Glow Replenishing Rice Milk Toner: Composed of nutrient-rich rice extract and amino acids, this toner hydrates, smooths rough texture, and leaves your skin glowing. Its dual-layer formula regulates sebum without feeling greasy, making it a perfect pick for sensitive or combination skin types.
The Best Beauty of Joseon Serums & Ampoules
Korean serums and ampoules are the heavy lifters of any skincare routine. Beauty of Joseon has developed targeted solutions to address a variety of skin concerns with their high-performing, science-backed formulas.
Glow Serum: This anti-inflammatory serum is ideal for acne-prone skin. Formulated with propolis extract, it soothes breakouts, minimises pores, and promotes cell turnover for clearer, healthier-looking skin. A dose of 2% niacinamide tackles dullness and fine lines while refining skin texture.
Glow Deep Serum: Perfect for combating hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The combination of rice bran water and alpha arbutin brightens and evens out the skin while inhibiting melanin production for a luminous complexion.
Revive Serum: Packed with anti-ageing ingredients, including ginseng root water, snail mucin, and collagen, this serum restores hydration, repairs damage, and improves elasticity. It’s a powerhouse for reducing wrinkles and fading dark spots caused by environmental stressors.
Light on Serum: Centella + Vita C: A brightening serum that delivers all the benefits of vitamin C without potential irritation. The formula features centella asiatica to calm redness and hydrate, while a stable vitamin C derivative evens out skin tone and boosts collagen production. Madecassoside provides additional anti-inflammatory and protective benefits.
Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol: This antioxidant-rich serum soothes and hydrates irritated or UV-damaged skin. Ingredients like green tea leaf water and algae extract help reduce redness, control oil production, and strengthen the skin barrier without overwhelming sensitive skin
The Best Beauty of Joseon Moisturisers & Creams
Whether you’re looking for lightweight hydration or rich nourishment, Beauty of Joseon’s moisturisers have you covered.
Dynasty Cream: A cult favourite for its multi-tasking properties. Packed with rice bran water, ginseng, squalane, and niacinamide, this cream deeply moisturises, nourishes, and leaves skin glowing. It’s a rich yet non-greasy option suitable for all skin types, especially dry skin.
Red Bean Water Gel: This lightweight gel moisturiser balances hydration and oil production, making it perfect for oily or combination skin. Red bean extract absorbs excess sebum, while the weightless texture ensures your skin feels refreshed and never greasy.
JELLOSKIN Massage Cream: Designed for both face and body, this cream is a multi-tasking marvel. Niacinamide and rice bran oil nourish and brighten the skin, while centella asiatica calms and hydrates for lasting moisture. It’s perfect for a soothing facial massage or as part of a full-body self-care ritual.
The Best Beauty of Joseon Masks
There’s nothing better than a good face mask, and Beauty of Joseon have ensured their offering makes up some of the best Korean face masks on the market.
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask: A clarifying clay mask that detoxifies skin without stripping it. Kaolin clay and red bean extract work together to absorb sebum, remove impurities, and gently exfoliate, leaving pores clear and skin smooth.
Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask: This hydrating wash-off mask combines rice hull powder and 5% honey to refine skin texture, brighten dullness, and enhance elasticity. It’s particularly effective for acne-prone or inflamed skin, gently purifying without causing tightness.
The Best Beauty of Joseon Products for Your Skin Type
We know that is a lot of information, so to make finding your perfect Beauty of Joseon routine as easy as possible, we’ve listed the best products for your skin type below…
Acne-Prone Skin:
Cleanser: Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Toner: Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA+BHA
Serum: Glow Serum
Moisturiser: Red Bean Water Gel
SPF: Matte Sun Stick : Mugwort + Camelia
Mask: Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask
Oily Skin:
Cleanser: Radiance Cleansing Balm
Toner: Glow Replenishing Rice Milk Toner
Serum: Calming Serum : Green Tea + Panthenol
Moisturiser: Red Bean Water Gel
Mask: Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask
Dry Skin:
Cleanser: Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Toner: Ginseng Essence Water
Serum: Revive Serum
Moisturiser: Dynasty Cream
Is Beauty of Joseon Cruelty Free or Vegan?
Beauty of Joseon is a cruelty-free brand, though not all products are vegan due to some containing animal-derived ingredients, so check the product details before you use it if you are vegan.
Explore the Beauty of Joseon range at BEAUTY BAY and step up your skincare game with these K-Beauty must-haves.
