Beauty of Joseon is the brand people ask us about more than any other, and it is also the one people get most confused by, because the range has four or five product families with similar-sounding names and genuinely different jobs.
This is the plain-language version. Everything below is in stock in Canada, priced in CAD, shipped from Ontario, with no customs to pay.
What is Beauty of Joseon?
A Korean brand built around hanbang, the traditional Korean herbal medicine tradition. In practice that means ginseng, rice, and hanbang botanical extracts formulated into modern textures. It sits at an accessible price point, which is unusual for anything with this much ginseng in it, and that combination is most of why it became so popular.
The formulations are also, on the whole, gentle. Very little in the range will provoke a reactive skin, which matters if you are in the middle of repairing a barrier.
The four product families
Glow: for dullness and uneven tone
The Glow Serum is propolis and niacinamide. Sticky, in a way people either love or hate, and very good at making skin look less flat. Best for dullness and for supporting a compromised barrier.
The Glow Deep Serum is the rice and alpha-arbutin version, aimed at pigmentation rather than general dullness. If dark spots are your concern, this is the one from this family, not the propolis.
Revive: for fine lines and firmness
The Revive Serum is ginseng and snail mucin, aimed at elasticity. The Revive Eye Serum and Revive Under Eye Patches apply the same idea around the eye.
This is the family for the 40s and 50s customer. Note the snail mucin content if you have a shellfish allergy.
Relief Sun and Ginseng Moist Sun: daily protection
Three sunscreens, and the difference between them is texture, not protection level.
- Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics is the original. Lightweight, slightly dewy, no white cast, the one that made the brand famous in the West.
- Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh is lighter and more matte. Better for oily skin and for humid weather.
- Ginseng Moist Sun Serum is the richest, and doubles as a hydrating step. Good for dry skin in winter.
All three are chemical filters, which is why there is no cast. If you need mineral, look elsewhere in Daily Protection.
Ginseng cleansing and essence: the base layer
The Ginseng Cleansing Oil is a first-cleanse oil for removing sunscreen and makeup. The Ginseng Essence Water is a watery first hydrating layer, closer to a Japanese lotion than a Western toner.
Masks
The Centella Asiatica Calming Mask for irritation, the Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask for gentle brightening, and the Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask for congestion.
Which Beauty of Joseon product should you buy first?
Pick by concern, not by popularity:
- Dullness, flat-looking skin: Glow Serum
- Dark spots and uneven tone: Glow Deep Serum
- Fine lines, loss of firmness: Revive Serum
- You have no sunscreen you like: Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics, or Aqua-Fresh if you are oily
- Dry, tight skin: Ginseng Essence Water plus Ginseng Moist Sun Serum
- You want to try several: the Hanbang Serum Discovery Kit gives you four 10ml serums, which is the sensible way in
Browse the full Beauty of Joseon collection.
Common questions
Where can I buy Beauty of Joseon in Canada?
We stock the range in Canada with local shipping from Markham, Ontario, in CAD, with no customs charges at the door.
Is Beauty of Joseon good for sensitive skin?
Generally yes. The Centella mask and the Relief Sun sunscreens are the gentlest entries. The Glow Serum contains propolis, which is a bee product and an allergen for some people.
What is the difference between Glow Serum and Glow Deep Serum?
Glow Serum is propolis and niacinamide for general dullness and barrier support. Glow Deep Serum is rice and alpha-arbutin for pigmentation specifically.
Does Beauty of Joseon sunscreen leave a white cast?
No. All three are chemical filter formulas, which is why they suit deeper skin tones well.
Can I use the Glow Serum and Revive Serum together?
Yes. Glow first, it is the lighter texture, then Revive. Or use one in the morning and one at night.