Brand Comparison
Banila Co vs Beauty of Joseon
A head-to-head comparison of two popular K-beauty brands. Which one is right for your skin?
Our Pick
Beauty of Joseon
Higher editor rating (9 vs 7.5)
Banila Co
Banila Co is essentially a one-hit wonder, and that hit is massive. Clean It Zero is the cleansing balm that taught a generation of beauty consumers that makeup removal doesn't have to be harsh. Their other products are competent but unremarkable — you're here for the balm, and the balm alone justifies the brand's existence. The sunscreen and toner lines are fine, but they lack the category-defining magic of their hero product.
Pros
- ✓ Clean It Zero is a genuine category icon
- ✓ Affordable entry point into oil cleansing
- ✓ Wide shade and variant range for the cleansing balm
- ✓ Easy to find at most K-beauty retailers
Cons
- ✗ Beyond Clean It Zero, the lineup is unremarkable
- ✗ Some products contain fragrance
- ✗ Toner and sunscreen range lacks identity
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
