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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 · 96% fit

Beauty of Joseon vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

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

Beauty of Joseon is better for gentle, lightweight hydration and sensitive skin, while SK-II performs better for deep moisturization, radiance, and mature skin.

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

Beauty of Joseon and SK-II both offer fragrance-free products, but Beauty of Joseon is known for gentle and lightweight formulas, while SK-II delivers better results for deep hydration, softening, and radiance. For routine fit, Beauty of Joseon is High for dry skin and Average for mature skin, whereas SK-II rates as Superior for dry skin and High for mature skin.

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for dry skin?

Both brands are great for dry skin, with Beauty of Joseon scoring High and SK-II scoring Superior for this skin type. Beauty of Joseon relies on key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to provide deep hydration, while the products on this page help improve skin quality and manage signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Both brands offer moisturizers with a High Lovi fit for dry skin, such as Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, though reviewers note that SK-II provides deeper hydration and moisturization.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Beauty of Joseon is more affordable, whereas SK-II is noted for having an exorbitant and high price.

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

SK-II performs better for mature skin, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Beauty of Joseon which has an Average fit.

How do Beauty of Joseon and SK-II compare regarding fragrance ingredients in their products?

Both Beauty of Joseon and SK-II offer products on this page that list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which brand has a longer history, Beauty of Joseon or SK-II?

SK-II has a longer history, having been founded in Japan in 1980, whereas Beauty of Joseon was founded in South Korea in 2016.

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Beauty of Joseon and SK-II are a High fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good oil control and lightweight hydration without feeling heavy.

Beauty of Joseon or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Beauty of Joseon and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Beauty of Joseon is noted for its gentle and non-irritating formulas.

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

Both Beauty of Joseon and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers sometimes note that the products on this page for Beauty of Joseon can cause breakouts and acne, while SK-II reviewers note that its products can cause skin reactions.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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