Brand Comparison
Neogen 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 7.5)
Neogen
Neogen earned its reputation on the back of a single genius product format: the Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling pads. The textured gauze combined with gentle chemical exfoliants was a genuinely novel idea, and the wine version remains one of the best physical-meets-chemical exfoliants in K-beauty. Beyond the pads, their Real Ferment Micro Essence is a solid SK-II alternative at a fraction of the price. The sunscreen range is competent but crowded out by stronger competitors. Neogen is a brand that innovates on format more than formulation.
Pros
- ✓ Bio-Peel pads are a genuinely innovative format
- ✓ Real Ferment Essence offers premium results at mid-range prices
- ✓ Wide distribution makes products easy to find
- ✓ Dermatologist-tested formulations
Cons
- ✗ Some products feel overpriced for what they deliver
- ✗ The cleansing stick format is more gimmick than game-changer
- ✗ Fragrance in several products
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
- ✓ AmorePacific-backed luxury
- ✓ Black Cushion is iconic
- ✓ Strong skincare lineup beyond cushions
- ✓ Premium texture quality
