Brand Comparison
Summer Fridays 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 RangePremium ($$$)Budget ($)
Founded20182014
OriginUnited StatesSouth Korea
Products719
Best ForDry, normal, Sensitive, MatureCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyClean, capsule-size skincare — one hero product per concern, aesthetically obsessive packaging.Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
Summer Fridays
Influencer-founded and influencer-shaped. Jet Lag Mask earned its hype; the rest is plush, pretty, sometimes slight. A lifestyle brand that happens to sell skincare.
Pros
- ✓ Gorgeous textures
- ✓ Capsule simplicity
- ✓ Great gifting range
Cons
- ✗ Price-to-ingredient ratio
- ✗ Style over substance critics
- ✗ Limited actives
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
