Brand Comparison
Sunday Riley 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 8.1)
Rating8.1/109/10
Price RangePremium ($$$)Budget ($)
Founded20092014
OriginUnited StatesSouth Korea
Products619
Best ForMature, Combo, dullness, normalCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyHigh-performance actives at prestige prices — no basics, just hero serums.Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
Sunday Riley
TikTok's "first serum" era. Good Genes and A+ are genuinely punchy. The brand has had its moments (FTC, fake Sephora reviews) but the formulas still deliver.
Pros
- ✓ Potent actives
- ✓ Cult hero products
- ✓ Distinct luxe aesthetic
Cons
- ✗ Very premium pricing
- ✗ Past trust issues
- ✗ Can be irritating
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
