Brand Comparison
Anessa vs Beauty of Joseon
A head-to-head comparison of two popular K-beauty brands. Which one is right for your skin?
Our Pick
Anessa
Higher editor rating (9.4 vs 9)
Anessa
If we could only recommend one Japanese sunscreen brand, it would be Anessa. The Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk (the gold bottle) is the single most-tested, most-reformulated SPF in Asia — water-resistant, sweat-activated, and disappears into the skin. The texture is unimpeachable, the UVA protection is serious (PA++++), and the current Nano Booster formula is the genuine high-water mark of Japanese sun protection.
Pros
- ✓ Industry-leading UVA protection
- ✓ Sweat and water-activated technology
- ✓ Genuinely undetectable finish
Cons
- ✗ Fragranced
- ✗ Contains alcohol
- ✗ US availability via import only
Beauty of Joseon
Beauty of Joseon has quietly become one of the most impressive value propositions in K-beauty. Their Relief Sun is arguably the best budget sunscreen globally, and the Glow Serum delivers genuine results at a price that undercuts competitors by half. The hanbang angle could be gimmicky, but they back it with solid formulation science.
Pros
- ✓ Exceptional price-to-performance ratio
- ✓ Relief Sun SPF 50+ is a standout product
- ✓ Hanbang ingredients backed by real formulation
- ✓ Elegant textures despite budget pricing
Cons
- ✗ Limited product range compared to larger brands
- ✗ Hanbang marketing can feel vague
