Beauty of Joseon vs Paula's Choice
Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice are two distinct skincare brands founded in 2016 and 1995, respectively. The former features serums, masks, moisturizers, and sunscreens with niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid that suit dry skin and skin with dark spots best, while the latter offers serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C that fit oily skin and combination skin best. Both incorporate effective components, as glycerin significantly increases skin hydration and restores barrier function, yet they differ in their origin, ownership, and targeted skin types.
Beauty of Joseon is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by Goodai Global Inc. since 2019.
kbeautywiki.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.comgoodai-global.com
Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021.
This page compares some of the most popular Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Beauty of Joseon vs Paula's Choice products
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Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
AED 60.00
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1% Retinol Treatment
AED 255.32
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10% Azelaic Acid Booster
AED 210.00
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C15 Super Booster
AED 383.00
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CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
AED 148.98
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10% Niacinamide Booster
AED 250.00
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Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
AED 195.00
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Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
AED 145.00
People Say
Texture and Application Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “feels like a light moisturizer — Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics”
- “sinks in instantly — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water”
- “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”
- “absorbs instantly — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “no irritation at all — Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum”
- “cleansed my face gently without making my skin feel irritated — Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser”
- “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel”
- “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Saved my dry winter skin — Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream”
- “doesn't dry my skin like other cleansers — Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm”
- “eyes look less tired — Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum”
- “Provides an internal level of hydration without leaving any heavy finish. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
Smooths Skin Texture Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
- “bumps be gone — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
- “skin is insanely soft — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
- “skin feels baby soft — Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel”
Pore and Oil Control Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “less shiny by noon — Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel”
- “pores look cleaner — Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask”
- “cleared my bumps — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
- “pores look smaller — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
Glow and Radiance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “gives a glass skin look — Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum”
- “Gives me that chok-chok dewy look — Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream”
- “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
- “Discoloration almost gone — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
Scent and Fragrance Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “smells like cooking oil — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil”
- “smells like cheese — Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask”
- “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
- “smells like hot dog water — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
High Price and Value Issues Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “surprisingly small bottle — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Broke me out in cystic acne — Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil”
- “skin purged — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
- “caused cystic acne — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
Beauty of Joseon vs Paula's Choice routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 86.18
-
Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning
AED 103.00
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 69.00
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SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
AED 74.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 69.04
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Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
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Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 95.61
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Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
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Nourishing Mask
Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask
Once a week
AED 56.12
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Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 148.98
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Hydrating Toner
Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner
Morning
AED 173.95
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Moisturizer
Replenishing Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 187.50
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
AED 199.00
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
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Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
-
Serum or Treatment
RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 347.75
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Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
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Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
Buy Beauty of Joseon routine · AED 393.56 · 87% fit
Buy Paula's Choice routine · AED 1,244.08 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Beauty of Joseon vs Paula's Choice routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 148.98
-
Hydrating Toner
Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 154.49
-
Moisturizer
Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 313.80
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
AED 199.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
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Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Evening · Once a week
AED 239.84
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
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Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
-
Cleanser
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 86.18
-
Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning · Once a week
AED 103.00
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 69.00
-
SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
AED 74.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 69.04
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 95.61
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
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Cleansing Mask
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Once a week
AED 69.00
Buy Paula's Choice routine · AED 1,660.65 · 89% fit
Buy Beauty of Joseon routine · AED 540.92 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Beauty of Joseon vs Paula's Choice routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 148.98
-
Hydrating Toner
Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 154.49
-
Moisturizer
Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 313.80
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
AED 199.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Evening · Once a week
AED 239.84
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
-
Cleanser
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 86.18
-
Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning · Once a week
AED 103.00
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 69.00
-
SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
AED 74.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Radiance Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
AED 69.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 95.61
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Once a week
AED 69.00
Buy Paula's Choice routine · AED 1,512.70 · 89% fit
Buy Beauty of Joseon routine · AED 474.00 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which is better?
Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice both fit most skin types well on the products on this page, but Beauty of Joseon is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas and deep hydration, while Paula's Choice is better for mature skin and smoothing skin texture.
What is the difference between Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice?
Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice both fit most skin types well, but Beauty of Joseon is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas and hydration, while Paula's Choice is better for mature skin and smoothing skin texture. Beauty of Joseon also offers better value and fewer high price issues.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for dry skin?
Both brands are a High fit for dry skin. Beauty of Joseon helps with deep hydration and gentle formulas, while Paula's Choice works well with targeted ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which cleanser is better?
Both brands offer strong options, but Beauty of Joseon is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas, while Paula's Choice performs well for pore and oil control. The products on this page for both brands feature cleansers with high or superior fit levels for various skin types.
Which is more affordable, Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice?
Beauty of Joseon is more affordable, as Paula's Choice frequently draws reviewer complaints regarding high prices and value issues. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for treating dark spots?
Both Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice offer products with a High fit level for treating dark spots, using key ingredients like niacinamide. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation by suppressing melanosome transfer.
Which brand performs better for gentle and non-irritating formulas?
Beauty of Joseon performs better for gentle and non-irritating formulas, as reviewers often note its gentle, non-irritating formulas.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for oily skin?
Both Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice fit oily skin at a High level on the products on this page. Paula's Choice focuses more on oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types, while Beauty of Joseon focuses more on dry skin, skin with dark spots, and sensitive skin.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer solid moisturizer options on this page, but Beauty of Joseon stands out for deep hydration and gentle, non-irritating formulas.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for sensitive skin?
Both brands offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin, but Beauty of Joseon is noted for having more gentle and non-irritating formulas. Paula's Choice relies on key ingredients like green tea to help soothe the skin.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which sunscreen is better?
Beauty of Joseon offers the Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics and Ginseng Moist Sun Serum, while Paula's Choice features the Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 on the products on this page. Beauty of Joseon sunscreen helps deliver high fit levels for dry skin, skin with dark spots, and sensitive skin.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for acne-prone skin?
Both Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice fit acne-prone skin at a High level. Reviewers note that Beauty of Joseon provides gentle formulas while Paula's Choice smooths skin texture effectively.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for mature skin?
Paula's Choice is a better fit for mature skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Beauty of Joseon's Average fit on the products on this page. Topical retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation and improve signs of skin aging.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Safety evaluation of topical applications of ethanol on the skin and inside the oral cavity
Cutaneous photoprotection from ultraviolet injury by green tea polyphenols
Bacterial cellulose membranes as drug delivery systems: an in vivo skin compatibility study
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Topical glutathione amino acid precursors protect skin against environmental and oxidative stress
Tocotrienol-rich fraction attenuates UV-induced inflammaging: A bench to bedside study
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Novel beads made of alpha-cyclodextrin and oil for topical delivery of a lipophilic drug
A study of anti-wrinkle functions and improvement of cream with Phaseolus angularis
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Hippophae rhamnoides oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion improves barrier function in healthy human subjects
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Behind this comparison
Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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