Brand Comparison

Beauty of Joseon vs The History of Whoo

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 8.8)

Beauty of Joseon The History of Whoo

Rating9/108.8/10

Price RangeBudget ($)Premium ($$$)

Founded20142003

OriginSouth KoreaSouth Korea

Products195

Best ForCombo, Oily, Sensitive, DryMature, Dry

PhilosophyHanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.Royal-court hanbang for the woman who wants her anti-aging to feel ceremonial.

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
✗ Some products sell out frequently

The History of Whoo

Price tags that make you wince and packaging that belongs in a palace museum — but the Bichup Self-Generating Anti-Aging Essence is legitimately good, and the Gongjinhyang:Seol brightening line has receipts. You're paying for the ritual as much as the results, which is either the point or the problem, depending on who you are.

Pros