Brand Comparison
Susanne Kaufmann 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 8.2)
Rating8.2/109/10
Price RangePremium ($$$)Budget ($)
Founded20032014
OriginAustria/GermanySouth Korea
Products719
Best ForMature, Dry, normal, SensitiveCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyAlpine-luxury natural skincare — Bregenzerwald herbs, minimalist architecture-inspired packaging, wellness as serious business.Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
Susanne Kaufmann
Austria's quiet minimalist hotel spa brand. Feels like Le Labo for skincare. Gentler than active-heavy, but the textures are genuinely expensive-feeling.
Pros
- ✓ Alpine botanical depth
- ✓ Chic design language
- ✓ Natural and effective
Cons
- ✗ Premium pricing
- ✗ Quiet on hero products
- ✗ Less accessible globally
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
