Brand Comparison
Drunk Elephant 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 8.3)
Rating8.3/109/10
Price RangePremium ($$$)Budget ($)
Founded20132014
OriginUnited StatesSouth Korea
Products1219
Best Fornormal, Combo, Mature, dullnessCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyBiocompatible skincare — no essential oils, no drying alcohols, no silicones, no chemical sunscreens, no fragrance.Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
Drunk Elephant
Hyped, expensive, and — annoyingly — really good. Polyhydroxy peptides are the hero. Hype has dulled since Shiseido bought them.
Pros
- ✓ Strong efficacy
- ✓ Cult-favorite textures
- ✓ Thoughtful formulation
Cons
- ✗ Premium pricing
- ✗ Over-hyped on TikTok
- ✗ Jars (oxidation risk)
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
