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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

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Beauty of Joseon vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Beauty of Joseon vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

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

Beauty of Joseon is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas and lightweight textures, while SK-II does better with deep hydration, radiance, and smoothing effects. For overall routines, Beauty of Joseon fits best on dry skin, sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots, whereas SK-II fits best on dry skin, acne-prone skin, and oily skin.

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

Beauty of Joseon is a South Korean brand focused on gentle, lightweight formulas with key ingredients like Niacinamide and Ginseng, while SK-II is a Japanese brand known for its Pitera-based products that often deliver deeper hydration and a radiance effect. For dry skin and acne-prone skin, Lovi rates SK-II routines as Superior, whereas Beauty of Joseon routines achieve a High fit level.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for dry skin?

Both brands are great options for dry skin, with Lovi giving Beauty of Joseon a High fit level and SK-II a Superior fit level. The products on this page for Beauty of Joseon help provide deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while SK-II features rich formulas like its Facial Treatment Essence.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Beauty of Joseon and SK-II both offer popular moisturizers, with Beauty of Joseon featuring gentle, non-irritating formulas containing niacinamide and ginseng, while SK-II leans on its signature Pitera ingredient for deep hydration. For dry skin, Lovi rates the routine fit for the products on this page as High for Beauty of Joseon and Superior for SK-II.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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

Beauty of Joseon is more affordable, while SK-II features exorbitant and high prices.

Between Beauty of Joseon and SK-II, which brand offers a better routine for mature skin?

SK-II offers a better routine for mature skin, achieving a High Lovi fit level compared to Beauty of Joseon's Average level.

How do the founding years and parent companies of Beauty of Joseon and SK-II compare?

Beauty of Joseon was founded in South Korea in 2016 and is owned by Goodai Global Inc. SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

Which brand performs better for providing a radiance and glow effect, Beauty of Joseon or SK-II?

SK-II performs better than Beauty of Joseon for providing a radiance and glow effect. Reviewers note that SK-II excels more in this area alongside deep hydration and texture.

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Beauty of Joseon and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for Beauty of Joseon provide lightweight textures, while SK-II offers unique textures and deep hydration.

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Beauty of Joseon is a great option for sensitive skin because the products on this page are rated as having a High fit level for sensitive skin, and reviewers frequently mention that the formulas are gentle and non-irritating. SK-II also has a High fit level for sensitive skin on this page, but reviewers note that SK-II is more likely to cause breakouts and skin reactions.

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

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer products on this page with a High routine fit level, though SK-II performs better overall in acne-prone routine 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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