I Tried This Viral K-Beauty Brand After Discovering It on TikTok and Never Looked Back (2024)

Beauty of Joseon

Relief Sun

Of course, I have to start with my favorite offering from the brand, Relief Sun. Containing broad-spectrum SPF 50+ PA++++ to shield against both UVA and UVB rays, this is a great option for all-day wear. It contains organic ingredients like rice extract and probiotics to provide a lot of hydration to the skin without leaving a white cast. Honestly, this is one of my favorite non-mineral sunscreen options on the market. Mineral-based formulas can be tricky because some leave an orange tint or stain your clothes, but this one doesn't do that. It also doesn't contain questionable fillers like oxybenzone and octinoxate. I just love how light it is on the skin, and it even works great as a makeup primer.

Beauty of Joseon

Ginseng Essence Water

I discovered both this and Relief Sun on TikTok since many users reported loving using the two together. Folks were raving about how hydrating this essence is, and they were right. The brand utilizes a variety of anciently revered ingredients like ginseng to kick-start its formulas. This essence contains 80% ginseng-root water to revitalize dry skin but also helps those who are oily or acne-prone by controlling excess sebum secretion. My skin tends to get pretty dehydrated, and this really did the trick. I usually like to keep things simple when it comes to my skincare routine since my skin is highly sensitive, but this was such a nice addition to my routine and kept my skin super moisturized throughout the day.

Beauty of Joseon

Ginseng Cleansing Oil

I know I keep saying this, but this became another fast favorite from the brand. Honestly, there isn't a product I've tried from the brand that I didn't like, but this particular cleansing oil stands out. I'm picky about my cleansing oils because some of them leave a greasy residue and don't emulsify well, but this one has such a light texture and a nice glide to it. It's infused with Beauty of Joseon's hero ingredients ginseng-seed oil and soybean oil. It isn't too thick or too runny—it provides just the right amount of slip to remove makeup and sunscreen. Even if I'm not wearing makeup, I like to use it as a first-step cleanser before I go in with my water-based cleanser to really remove any dirt and oil from the day. There's also a light herbal scent to it that I absolutely love.

Beauty of Joseon

Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask

You can never have too many face masks IMO, and this one is such a nice addition to my weekly rotation. It contains kaolin clay to clarify any blemishes, but it also contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin and antioxidant-rich pear and strawberry-fruit extract to protect the skin from free radical damage. I've been dealing with some breakouts, and this is a great mask to keep handy to refresh and deep-clean my pores without exfoliating. Anyone who has dealt with acne knows how easy it is to go overboard on the AHAs and BHAs when your skin is really struggling. A clay mask like this one is great to use as an alternative, and I didn't find Beauty of Joseon's to be too drying. It just refreshed, hydrated, and clarified my skin.

Beauty of Joseon

Radiance Cleansing Balm

For those who like more of a balm-textured product to remove their makeup, this one's for you. Rice bran water and extract are the star ingredients in this formula to gently cleanse the skin while improving hydration levels. I really loved how soft and velvety this was on the skin. It's hard to choose between the Ginseng Cleansing Oil and this formula for makeup removal because they're both that good. I thought this one might be a bit greasy since it has a thicker texture, but it isn't at all. It leaves skin soft and moisturized (even after a second cleanse) without leaving an oily or thick feeling on the skin.

Beauty of Joseon

Revive Serum

If you're dealing with moisture-barrier damage, this serum is a must. It's designed specifically for skin damage and contains 63% ginseng water and 3% snail mucin to help repair the barrier and provide an extra boost of hydration to the skin. It also contains plant-based brightening extracts to give the skin a youthful glow. Honestly, it was hard to wrap my head around the fact that this serum delivers serious, luxury-level results while only being $12 a bottle. Now that I'm older, I realize skincare should be simple, and less really is more. Serums like this from BOJ offer a lot for the skin without costing you a fortune. I started to notice results after using this product for a week. My skin was a lot more hydrated, and old acne scars were beginning to lighten. I can't recommend this one enough.

Beauty of Joseon

Centella Asiatica Calming Mask

As someone who deals with breakouts and inflammation, centella asiatica extract has worked wonders for me. If you have angry, red, inflamed pimples, it calms them almost instantly. In addition to containing 15% centella asiatica extract, these hydrating masks are packed with three types of hyaluronic acid and nourishing plant oils. They're now my go to masks for when my skin is dehydrated and feeling extra sensitive or irritated.

Beauty of Joseon

Glow Serum

Dull, dry, dehydrated skin—who is she? You truly won't know once you incorporate this glow-giving serum into your routine. This one's infused with 60% propolis and 2% niacinamide to calm inflammation and give the skin an otherworldly glow. It has a rich, honey-like texture, but it never leaves your skin feeling sticky. Instead, your skin will be dewy, radiant, and hydrated. It also works to lighten hyperpigmentation, something I've struggled with for a while.

IUNIK

Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen

Besides Relief Sun, this is my favorite Korean sunscreen. Like I said above, centella asiatica extract calms redness and irritation almost instantly. This formula happens to contain 49% of it. Other hydrating ingredients like beta-glucan and adenosine top off the formula, giving it a rich, creamy texture that applies easily and never leaves a white cast.

CosRX

The 6 Peptide Skin Booster

I haven't actually tried this formula from CosRx yet, but I love the brand's snail mucin and hyaluronic acid serum, so I know it's got to be good. An array of skin-firming peptides smooth fine lines while niacinamide and hyaluronic acid hydrate and calm the skin.

P.CALM

Cato Cream

This is a great moisturizer for the winter months because it's rich and soothing and provides skin with long-lasting hydration.

Purito

From Green Cleansing Oil

As a beauty editor who tries tons of products a month, it's rare I actually use a product until the last drop, but this cleansing oil from Purito is one of them. It's so so good, and the formula is extremely simple, making it great for acne-prone skin. I also love that most K-beauty products are affordable so you're not spending a fortune on your essentials.