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Beauty of Joseon vs SK-II

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Beauty of Joseon and SK-II are prominent skincare brands offering thoughtful serums, moisturizers, masks, and sunscreens tailored to different routines. The Korean line, founded in 2016, features niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to suit dry and sensitive skin, while the Japanese counterpart, established in 1980, centers on pitera to address dry and acne-prone skin. Both brands provide specialized solutions for dark spots, mature concerns, and blemishes through gentle, purposeful formulations. They differ primarily in their cultural heritage, signature ingredients, and specific target audiences.

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

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular Beauty of Joseon and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Beauty of Joseon vs SK-II products

People Say

Beauty of JoseonSK-II
  • Unique or pleasant texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “thick but absorbs quickly — Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum”
  • Radiance and glow effect Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “no irritation at all — Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum”
    • “doesn't dry my skin like other cleansers — Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm”
    • “cleansed my face gently without making my skin feel irritated — Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream”
  • Softens and smooths skin Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “skin feels incredibly smooth — Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask”
  • Lightweight texture Often MentionedNot noted
    • “feels like a light moisturizer — Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics”
    • “sinks in instantly — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water”
    • “sinks in immediately — Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel”
  • Exorbitant and high price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • 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 dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Causes breakouts and skin reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Broke me out in cystic acne — Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream”

Beauty of Joseon vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · $591.97 · 91% fitBuy Beauty of Joseon routine · $128.39 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Beauty of Joseon vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · $713.54 · 89% fitBuy Beauty of Joseon routine · $210.39 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Beauty of Joseon vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · $714.65 · 89% fitBuy Beauty of Joseon routine · $209.39 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II: which is better?

Beauty of Joseon and SK-II both offer great options, but Beauty of Joseon is generally better for a gentle, non-irritating formula while SK-II tends to provide deeper hydration and a stronger radiance effect. For dry skin, Beauty of Joseon has a High routine fit while SK-II has a Superior routine fit.

What is the difference between Beauty of Joseon and SK-II?

Beauty of Joseon and SK-II both offer fragrance-free skincare products, but Beauty of Joseon is often noted for its lightweight textures and gentle formulas while SK-II leans toward deep hydration and a radiance-boosting effect. Reviewers mention that Beauty of Joseon features ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ginseng, whereas SK-II highlights Pitera across its line.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, Beauty of Joseon fits well while SK-II reaches a Superior routine fit on Lovi. Both brands feature fragrance-free products, but Beauty of Joseon relies on ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help provide deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers that fit dry skin well, but Beauty of Joseon earns a High fit level while SK-II achieves a Superior fit level for dry skin overall. Reviewers also note that SK-II delivers better deep hydration, moisturization, and a radiance-and-glow effect.

Which is more affordable, Beauty of Joseon or SK-II?

SK-II is more expensive, while Beauty of Joseon is noted for having a high price as well, though reviews specifically list exorbitant and high prices for Beauty of Joseon.

Between Beauty of Joseon and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin according to the routine fit?

For mature skin, SK-II performs better with a High routine fit, while Beauty of Joseon has an Average routine fit.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, Beauty of Joseon or SK-II?

Both Beauty of Joseon and SK-II offer fragrance-free options, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What are the key ingredients used across Beauty of Joseon products compared to SK-II?

Beauty of Joseon features niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ginseng across the products on this page, whereas SK-II focuses on Pitera as its key ingredient.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Beauty of Joseon and SK-II are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers often mention that Beauty of Joseon provides lightweight, fast-absorbing toners and formulas.

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Beauty of Joseon and SK-II are a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Beauty of Joseon does better for a gentle and non-irritating formula.

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer solid options for acne-prone skin, but SK-II has a Superior routine fit for this skin type while Beauty of Joseon has a High fit.

Research behind their key ingredients

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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