Beauty of Joseon vs Paula's Choice
Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice are two celebrated skincare lines, with the former originating in Korea in 2016 and the latter established in America in 1995. Beauty of Joseon is loved for its thoughtful serums, masks, moisturizers, sunscreens, and more that feature star ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, while Paula's Choice covers serums, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C. The Korean brand suits dry skin and sensitive skin best, offering gentle yet effective daily care, whereas the American brand fits combination skin and oily skin best. Through their formulations, both brands utilize key ingredients like glycerin to increase skin hydration and restore barrier function, but they differ in their foundational approaches to targeted daily care.
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
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
€16.94
-
Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning
€12.50
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€10.64
-
SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
€23.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€15.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
€18.59
-
Nourishing Mask
Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask
Once a week
€10.99
-
Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€29.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner
Morning
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€48.00
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
€15.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
-
Serum or Treatment
RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Evening · Once a week
€57.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
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
€29.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€34.00
-
Moisturizer
Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€42.00
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
€15.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Evening · Once a week
€63.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
-
Cleanser
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.94
-
Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning · Once a week
€12.50
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€10.64
-
SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
€23.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€15.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Green Plum Refreshing Toner
Evening
€10.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
€18.59
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Once a week
€12.24
Beauty of Joseon vs Paula's Choice routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€29.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€34.00
-
Moisturizer
Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€42.00
-
SPF
Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Morning
€15.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Evening · Once a week
€63.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
-
Cleanser
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.94
-
Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning · Once a week
€12.50
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€10.64
-
SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
€23.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Radiance Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€21.04
-
Cleansing Toner
Green Plum Refreshing Toner
Evening
€10.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
€18.59
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Once a week
€12.24
Questions and answers
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which is better?
Both brands are great, but Beauty of Joseon helps better with gentle hydration and sensitive skin, while Paula's Choice is better for smooth skin texture and mature skin.
What is the difference between Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice?
Beauty of Joseon is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas and deep hydration, while Paula's Choice is better for smoothing skin texture and mature skin. Both brands offer fragrance-free products and equal fit levels for most skin types, but Paula's Choice frequently receives reviewer complaints about high prices and value issues.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for dry skin?
Both brands are a High fit for dry skin on this page. Reviewers note that Beauty of Joseon helps provide deep hydration and moisturization with gentle, non-irritating formulas.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which cleanser is better?
Both Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice offer cleansers with high fit levels for various skin types. Reviewers note that Beauty of Joseon provides gentle, non-irritating formulas.
Which is more affordable, Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice?
Beauty of Joseon is more affordable, as Paula's Choice frequently receives reviewer complaints regarding high prices and value issues. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on the products on this page.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which brand is better for gentle and non-irritating formulas?
Beauty of Joseon does 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 this page. Reviewers report that Paula's Choice does better at smoothing skin texture, while Beauty of Joseon is noted for gentleness and hydration.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer effective moisturizers, but Beauty of Joseon is noted for deep hydration and soothing formulas, while Paula's Choice provides targeted options for oily or blemish-prone skin. Both brands achieve high routine fit levels for dry and sensitive skin types.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for sensitive skin?
Both Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice fit sensitive skin at a High level. Reviewers note that Beauty of Joseon does better for gentle and non-irritating formulas.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice: which sunscreen is better?
Both brands offer solid sunscreen options, with Beauty of Joseon featuring formulations tailored for dry, sensitive, and dark-spot-prone skin types, while Paula's Choice provides alternatives like its Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 that fit dry and combination skin well. Reviewers and fit levels show that both brands deliver strong overall compatibility for daily wear.
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 helps provide gentle formulas, while Paula's Choice is often noted for smoothing skin texture.
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for mature skin?
Beauty of Joseon or Paula's Choice for skin with dark spots?
Both Beauty of Joseon and Paula's Choice fit skin with dark spots at a High level. Reviewers note that Beauty of Joseon provides deep hydration and gentle formulas, while Paula's Choice helps smooth skin texture with anti-aging serums.
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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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