Brand Comparison
Santa Maria Novella 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 8.3)
Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella began in 1221 when Dominican friars arrived in Florence and started cultivating medicinal herbs in the monastery garden. By 1612 the apothecary opened to the public under Grand Duke Ferdinando II de' Medici, making it the oldest pharmacy in continuous operation in the world. The famous Acqua di Santa Maria Novella was created in 1614 for Catherine de' Medici. Today, under Italmobiliare ownership since 2020, the brand has been pushed into modern skincare with the Idralia line (launched 2019) — saccharide isomerate, niacinamide, three-weight HA in formulas that respect the heritage but use current actives. The Florence flagship at Via della Scala 16 still operates inside the original 17th-century frescoed pharmacy. Heritage skincare that refuses to be a museum piece.
Pros
- ✓ literally the oldest skincare brand in the world (1221 herb garden, 1612 public pharmacy)
- ✓ Idralia line is a genuine modern formulation with three-weight HA
- ✓ Florentine botanical heritage bottled with EU-standard preservatives
- ✓ the Acqua di Rose toner is a 500-year-old skincare classic
Cons
- ✗ premium pricing reflects heritage tax more than ingredient cost
- ✗ some formulas still use parfum + alcohol
- ✗ thin distribution outside owned boutiques and specialty retailers
- ✗ the brand catalogue is sprawling (fragrance > skincare > home > body)
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.
