Brand Comparison
The Ordinary 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 8.7)
Rating8.7/109/10
Price RangeBudget ($)Budget ($)
Founded20162014
OriginCanada/United StatesSouth Korea
Products2119
Best ForOily, Combo, Acne-Prone, normalCombo, Oily, Sensitive, Dry
PhilosophyClinical formulations with integrity — transparent pricing, no marketing nonsense, one hero active per bottle.Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) meets modern cosmetic science. Heritage ingredients like rice, ginseng, and propolis in contemporary formulations.
The Ordinary
Single-active minimalism at drugstore prices. Routines are work to build, but the results (and the price) earn the cult.
Pros
- ✓ Elite price-per-active
- ✓ Genuinely effective formulas
- ✓ Radical transparency
Cons
- ✗ Overwhelming catalog
- ✗ Bare-bones textures
- ✗ Not beginner-friendly
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
