Beauty of Joseon Review: Do Their Hero Products Work?

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has had their TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube filled with buzz and rave reviews on the cult Korean skincare brand, Beauty of Joseon. Influencers, beauty gurus, and everyday beauty enthusiasts alike have caught their attention by the brand’s soothing and restorative approach to skincare, so I figured it was high time to see what all the fuss was about.

As much as I’d love to do an entire brand review and try out Beauty of Joseon’s full collection of products, it made the most sense (and so as not to overload my skin with new products) to test out their highly coveted trending skincare heroes.

But before we dive into the review, let’s find out a little more about Beauty of Joseon and its skincare philosophy.

All About Beauty of Joseon

If you're on the hunt for a skincare brand that marries tradition with modern efficacy, look no further than Beauty of Joseon. This South Korean beauty brand is inspired by the elegance and simplicity of the Joseon Dynasty, a period renowned for beauty regimes that prized clean and clear skin.

At the heart of the Beauty of Joseon's philosophy is the use of classic Korean ingredients, many of which have been celebrated for centuries. Ingredients like ginseng, honey, and rice—staples in traditional Korean skincare—are thoughtfully incorporated into their formulations.

These ingredients are known for their powerful skin benefits, including brightening, hydrating, and anti-ageing properties. The brand's commitment to these tried-and-true elements ensures that each product not only honors historical beauty secrets but also meets contemporary skincare needs. It’s no wonder that so many of their items are so in demand.

Now let’s dive into what you’re all here for, the Beauty of Joseon review - do the hero products from the Beauty of Joseon really work?

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream review

Up first is the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream. This face moisturiser aims to plump and give ultra-hydration to the skin using nourishing ingredients like ginseng to help energise and rejuvenate the skin, and honey to provide deep hydration and nourishment. And I have to say, it ticked all of the boxes that I could ever want in a moisturiser.

With a normal/combination/sensitive skin type like mine, the Dynasty Cream was just the thing to quench my skin without overloading it with moisture or leaving it looking greasy. It sits right in that sweet spot where it’s lightweight enough to absorb quickly but nourishing enough for long-lasting hydration that goes deep into the skin.

My sensitive skin had no problems with it at all, ticking that gentle formula box, leaving my skin looking and feeling soft, supple, and radiant. I loved using it day and night and don’t have a bad word to say about the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream.

Rating 10/10

Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen review

It’s no secret that when it comes to sunscreen, the Koreans do it best. Lightweight formulas and high sun protection all without leaving that dreaded white cast. Well, the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ is no exception to the stellar reputation of Korean face SPFs.

SPFs are always something that I’ve been picky about, for years it felt unnecessarily hard to find a sunscreen that offered high enough protection without leaving my skin simultaneously looking like it had been dipped in grease but also somehow like a ghost. So it’s safe to say that I have high standards for face SPFs that actually make it onto my skincare routine.

So when trying out the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++, I was pleasantly surprised to find the sunscreen did everything right. Its lightweight, thin texture left no trace of stickiness that I’m typically accustomed to - it really didn’t feel like sunscreen at all, and more like a hydrating facial milk.

Probably what I’m most impressed with is the lightweight texture, which I think is so important for a sun protection product where reapplying is a must. The SPF avoids that heavy, caked-on feeling no matter how many types I reapplied, so I give it big props for that. The sunscreen also didn’t have that classic SPF smell that I dread, which is a huge bonus in my eyes.

Rating: 10/10

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum review

Frankly, if I’m not glowing, then I’m going. Skincare and makeup buzzwords for me definitely include the word glow, so it’s no wonder that I’m keen to try anything that claims it produces radiant results, especially when there’s been such a frenzy online for this product.

And the verdict? I’d have to say my review of this product is so-so. Whilst the Beauty of Joseon glow serum felt gorgeous and nourishing on my skin, I’d have to say I wasn’t overly wowed by its glow-giving abilities. It certainly gave me some amount of glow and left my skin feeling hydrated, but I think there are other products that do the job better.

What I will applaud this glow serum for, is how well it calmed my skin and provided gentle hydration, making it something I’d definitely recommend to anyone with sensitive skin.

Rating: 7/10

Beauty of Joseon Eye Cream review

With sensitive skin, it’s important to take care when using skincare with active ingredients, especially when it comes to retinol. The Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal has received plenty of attention online for being a hero product that banished dark circles and left people with smoother and firmer under eyes. That being said, I was excited to try the eye cream but knew I had to be cautious in case it irritated my skin.

I’m happy to report that trying out the Beauty of Joseon eye cream went off without a hitch. I didn’t apply the eye cream every night but slowly introduced it to my evening skincare routine to ease the skin with the retinal. And I have to say, whenever I did use the product, I woke up to visibly brighter under eyes and it even helped bring down my milia too.

My first impressions of the eye cream did impress me, but I’m curious to see if it continues to leave no irritation to the delicate skin around the eyes when using the product long-term. From my experience, I enjoyed using the eye cream and do think that it works if you start slow and keep on top of your SPF application.

Rating: 7.5/10

The verdict

All in all, for this Beauty of Joseon review, I’d have to back the rave claims that the brand has rightly earned. Whilst I’ve only tried four products from the brand so far, I was impressed with all four and would happily repurchase some of the products to give them permanent spots in my skincare routine. The Dynasty cream and the sunscreen were my particular favourites, and trying them has made me even more eager to dive into the rest of the Beauty of Joseon’s skincare collection.

Overall Beauty of Joseon rating: 8.9/10

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