Beauty of Joseon vs The INKEY List
Beauty of Joseon and The INKEY List are distinct skincare brands founded in 2016 and 2018, respectively. The Korean brand is loved for its thoughtful serums, masks, moisturizers, sunscreens, and more that feature star ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, while the British brand offers moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, and more built around glycerin. Both options suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, offering gentle yet effective daily care with specialized treatments for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. The main difference lies in their specific formulations and targeted ingredients, as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid provide additional anti-wrinkle and brightening effects in the former's lineup, whereas glycerin remains the central focus for hydration and barrier support in the latter's.
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
The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com
This page compares some of the most popular Beauty of Joseon and The INKEY List products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Beauty of Joseon vs The INKEY List products
People Say
Unique Textures and Smooth Finish Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “feels like a light moisturizer — Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics”
- “sinks in instantly — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water”
- “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
Gentle and Non-Irritating Formulas 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 dry out skin — Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask”
- “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Saved my dry winter skin — Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream”
- “doesn't dry my skin like other cleansers — Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm”
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
Affordable Price and Value Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
- “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
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”
- “Skin instantly looks less oily — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “great for oily skin but anyone can use it — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
Calms Redness and Acne Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “calms redness instantly — The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum”
- “Redness has lessened and the cluster of whiteheads... cleared. — The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum”
- “reduced my redness significantly — Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum”
Breakouts and Skin Irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “did cause major breakouts — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
- “New formula breaks me out — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “Caused cystic acne — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
- “Broke me out in cystic acne — Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream”
Packaging and Sizing Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “dropper doesn't reach the bottom — Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum”
- “Hate dipping my fingers in the jar — Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream”
- “one pump is too much — Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum”
- “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
Scent and Fragrance Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “smells like cooking oil — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil”
- “smells like cheese — Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask”
- “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
Beauty of Joseon vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.06
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
- Moisturizer Collagen Peptide Serum Morning · Evening · Once a week
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SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
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Cleanser
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$29.93
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Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning
S$18.49
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$20.14
-
SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
S$14.74
-
Pre-Cleanser
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$20.14
-
Nourishing Mask
Centella Asiatica Calming Mask
Once a week
S$3.99
Buy The INKEY List routine · S$253.28 · 96% fit
Buy Beauty of Joseon routine · S$57.44 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Beauty of Joseon vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$44.35
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
PHA Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$26.18
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$29.93
-
Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning · Once a week
S$18.49
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$20.14
-
SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
S$14.74
-
Pre-Cleanser
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Cleansing Toner
Green Plum Refreshing Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$23.89
-
Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$20.14
-
Cleansing Mask
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Once a week
S$18.26
Buy The INKEY List routine · S$520.95 · 94% fit
Buy Beauty of Joseon routine · S$81.33 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Beauty of Joseon vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.00
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Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$34.59
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$30.49
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$29.93
-
Hydrating Toner
Ginseng Essence Water
Morning · Once a week
S$18.49
-
Moisturizer
Revive Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$20.14
-
SPF
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Morning
S$14.74
-
Pre-Cleanser
Radiance Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
S$17.80
-
Cleansing Toner
Green Plum Refreshing Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$23.89
-
Serum or Treatment
Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$20.14
-
Cleansing Mask
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Once a week
S$18.26
Buy The INKEY List routine · S$411.40 · 94% fit
Buy Beauty of Joseon routine · S$53.82 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List: which is better?
The INKEY List generally fits routines better across skin types, offering Superior routine fit for mature skin while Beauty of Joseon is Average. Both brands achieve High fit levels for dry, sensitive, and combination skin, though reviewers note that Beauty of Joseon is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas while The INKEY List provides better value and helps calm redness and acne.
What is the difference between Beauty of Joseon and The INKEY List?
The INKEY List offers a superior routine fit for all nine listed skin types, whereas Beauty of Joseon is rated High across those skin types except for mature skin, which is Average. Reviewers note that Beauty of Joseon does better for gentle and non-irritating formulas, while The INKEY List does better for affordable price and value as well as calms redness and acne.
Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List for dry skin?
Both brands are a strong choice for dry skin, with Lovi fit levels of High for Beauty of Joseon and Superior for The INKEY List. Reviewers note that Beauty of Joseon is known for gentle formulas, while The INKEY List is recognized for affordable and hydrating moisturizers.
Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?
Both brands offer solid cleanser options, but Beauty of Joseon is a strong choice for gentle, non-irritating formulas since reviewers note it does better in that area. Meanwhile, the products on this page for The INKEY List provide helpful options for oily and acne-prone skin types with cleansers like the Salicylic Acid Cleanser.
Which is more affordable, Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List?
The INKEY List does better than Beauty of Joseon for affordable price and value.
How do Beauty of Joseon and The INKEY List compare for mature skin?
For mature skin, The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit, while Beauty of Joseon has an Average routine fit. Reviewers frequently note that The INKEY List offers affordable, plumping, and firming moisturizers.
Which brand performs better for calming redness and acne?
The INKEY List performs better for calming redness and acne based on reviews comparing the two brands.
Do either Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List products contain added fragrance?
Both Beauty of Joseon and The INKEY List are fragrance-free, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List for oily skin?
Both brands are a High fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good oil control and lightweight moisture.
Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?
The INKEY List generally fits dry skin better with a Superior routine rating compared to Beauty of Joseon's High rating. Reviewers mostly mention that The INKEY List offers affordable, hydrating, and lightweight moisturizers.
Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?
Both brands are a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Beauty of Joseon is often noted for gentle, non-irritating formulas, while The INKEY List offers affordable options with high routine fit across various skin types.
Beauty of Joseon or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?
Both Beauty of Joseon and The INKEY List fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi fit levels of High and Superior respectively. The INKEY List tends to do better for calming redness and acne based on reviewer feedback.
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
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
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
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
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
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
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
Darutoside promotes skin wound healing via regulating macrophage polarization
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
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

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