Brand Comparison
Rohto Mentholatum 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)
Rating8/109/10
Price RangeBudget ($)Budget ($)
Founded18992014
OriginJapanSouth Korea
Products319
Best ForOily, Acne-Prone, ComboCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyPharmaceutical-grade skincare accessible to everyoneHanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
Rohto Mentholatum
The pharmacy giant behind Hada Labo and Melano CC — massive R&D budget delivering at drugstore prices.
Pros
- ✓ Pharmaceutical research backing
- ✓ Incredible value
- ✓ Wide product range
Cons
- ✗ Clinical packaging
- ✗ Some products contain fragrance
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
