Brand Comparison
Ettusais 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 7.8)
Rating7.8/109/10
Price RangeBudget ($)Budget ($)
Founded19922014
OriginJapanSouth Korea
Products119
Best ForOily, Combo, Acne-ProneCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyShiseido's youth-skincare offshoot — targeted at teens + 20s acne and pore concerns, J-drugstore prices.Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
Ettusais
Shiseido-backed acne skincare that costs a third of SK-II. Good for adolescent and 20-something Japanese skin concerns. Often overlooked by international buyers.
Pros
- ✓ Accessible Shiseido R&D
- ✓ Focused on acne + pores
- ✓ Under ¥2000
Cons
- ✗ Limited international retail
- ✗ Packaging feels young
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
