Brand Comparison
Emma Lewisham 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 8.8)
Rating8.8/109/10
Price RangePremium ($$$)Budget ($)
Founded20192014
OriginNew Zealand/AustraliaSouth Korea
Products519
Best ForMature, normal, Combo, dullnessCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyCircular luxury beauty โ refillable architecture, B-Corp certified, biotech-forward.Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
Emma Lewisham
New Zealand's own prestige moment. Skin Reset is one of the best modern anti-aging serums full stop. Sustainability and performance aren't trade-offs here.
Pros
- โ Best-in-class sustainability
- โ Serious actives
- โ Refill-first architecture
Cons
- โ Premium+ pricing
- โ Quiet in US distribution
- โ Slow on drops
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
- โ Exceptional price-to-performance ratio
- โ Relief Sun SPF 50+ is a standout product
- โ Hanbang ingredients backed by real formulation
- โ Elegant textures despite budget pricing
Cons
- โ Limited product range compared to larger brands
- โ Hanbang marketing can feel vague
- โ Some products sell out frequently
