Brand Comparison
Mary & May 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)
Mary & May
Mary & May is the vegan K-beauty brand that took off because the products genuinely work. Their Vitamin B,C,E Source Ampoule is one of the best stacked-vitamin serums at its price, and the CICA Soothing Gel Bubble Cleanser became a TikTok blackhead-cleansing phenomenon. Expect this brand to be everywhere in 2026.
Pros
- ✓ 100% vegan and cruelty-free
- ✓ EWG-green ingredient lists
- ✓ Mix-and-match concept lets you build a custom routine
- ✓ Strong value for the formulations
Cons
- ✗ Smaller catalog than established vegan peers
- ✗ Packaging is straightforward, not luxurious
- ✗ Scent can be divisive on some products
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
