Brand Comparison
Payot 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 7.9)
Rating7.9/109/10
Price RangeMid-Range ($$)Budget ($)
Founded19202014
OriginFranceSouth Korea
Products219
Best Fornormal, Dry, MatureCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyParis spa heritage brand — 1920s-founded, facial-massage-first, clinical spa ritual made into skincare.Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
Payot
Payot invented the "Parisian facial massage" ritual. Their hand creams and face balms are Parisian spa-lounge classics. Less clinical than LRP/Vichy, more ritual-forward.
Pros
- ✓ 1920s heritage
- ✓ Distinct facial massage methodology
- ✓ Parisian aesthetic
Cons
- ✗ Pricing is high for the actives
- ✗ Less clinical than competitors
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
