Brand Comparison

KANEBO vs Hera

A head-to-head comparison of two popular K-beauty brands. Which one is right for your skin?

Our Pick

Hera

Higher editor rating (9 vs 8.9)

KANEBO Hera

Rating8.9/109/10

Price RangePremium ($$$)Premium ($$$)

Founded20161995

OriginJapanSouth Korea

Products54

Best ForMature, Dry, normalluxury skincare, Mature, K-prestige, gifting

PhilosophyThe Kao-owned prestige brand — quiet luxury with serious R&D receipts.AmorePacific's luxury skincare-meets-color-cosmetics house — Black Cushion icon, Sensual Powder Matte Lipstick, and serious skincare.

KANEBO

Not to be confused with Sensai (also Kanebo-group). KANEBO the main line relaunched in 2016 as Japan's answer to La Mer — premium, minimalist, ritualistic. The Cream in Night is the hero product and it's the real deal; the Face Wash Cream has a cult following. If Sensai is for the woman who reads Vogue, KANEBO is for the one who reads Monocle.

Pros

✓ Exceptional Cream in Night formula
✓ Quiet, elevated design language
✓ Strong R&D heritage

Cons

✗ Truly premium pricing
✗ Scented
✗ Slow global rollout

Hera

Hera is the AmorePacific-owned Korean luxury house that has produced one of the most photographed cushion compacts in beauty history (the Black Cushion) and a quietly excellent skincare lineup that doesn't get the same Sephora-front-row coverage as Sulwhasoo or Whoo. Premium pricing, Korean luxury heritage, formulations that earn their place at the top of any K-prestige routine.

Pros