Brand Comparison
La Mav 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)
La Mav
La Mav sits in the Paula's Choice adjacency: active-forward but organic certified. The retinol serum is surprisingly potent for a certified-organic formula. Vitamin C Elixir is strong. Packaging is clean, the pricing is sensible. Rarely talked about outside Australia, which is the only real complaint.
Pros
- ✓ Retinol + vitamin C serums that actually work
- ✓ Organic certification + performance-focused formulas
- ✓ Reasonable pricing
- ✓ Strong online DTC presence in AU
Cons
- ✗ Limited US/UK distribution
- ✗ Brand awareness outside AU still small
- ✗ Some LOIs include natural preservatives that reduce shelf life
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
