Okay, let me be completely honest with you. When I first heard about Beauty of Joseon serums, I was skeptical. Like, really skeptical. Another K-beauty product promising miracles? I'd been down that road before and ended up with a bathroom cabinet full of half-empty bottles that did absolutely nothing for my skin.
But here's the thing - sometimes you get pleasantly surprised. And after using three different Beauty of Joseon serums for the past eight months, I have some thoughts. Real thoughts, not the usual "this changed my life overnight" nonsense you see everywhere.
My Personal Journey with Beauty of Joseon
First off, let me tell you how I discovered this brand. I was scrolling through TikTok at AM (don't judge), and this girl was raving about how some serum with a vintage-looking package cleared her stubborn blackheads. The packaging looked like something from a historical Korean drama, which honestly caught my attention more than her claims did.
I'm someone with combination skin that gets oily in the T-zone but dry around my cheeks. Plus, I'm in my early thirties, so I'm starting to worry about those fine lines that seem to appear overnight. Finding products that work for this weird skin situation is... challenging, to put it mildly.
The first Beauty of Joseon product I tried was their Glow Deep Serum. Cost me about $17, which felt reasonable compared to some of those $ serums that promise to turn back time.
What Makes Beauty of Joseon Different?
Here's what I learned after diving deep into this brand. Beauty of Joseon isn't just another K-beauty company trying to capitalize on the Korean skincare craze. They actually have some interesting history behind them.
The brand focuses on traditional Korean herbal ingredients, but they're not stuck in the past. They combine these time-tested components with modern skincare technology. Think of it like taking your grandmother's skincare wisdom and putting it through a scientific upgrade.
Their key ingredients include:
- Alpha Arbutin - for brightening and evening skin tone
- Niacinamide - helps with oil control and pore appearance
- Rice Bran - traditional Korean ingredient for smooth, glowing skin
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids - gentle exfoliation
- Snail Secretion Filtrate - sounds gross but works for healing
I know, I know. Snail secretion sounds absolutely disgusting. I had the same reaction. But apparently, it's been used in Korean skincare for ages, and the science actually backs up its healing and hydrating properties.
The Real Results: What Actually Happened
Let me break down my experience with their three most popular serums, because honestly, the results varied quite a bit depending on which one I used.
Glow Deep Serum (First Impression)
This was my gateway drug into the Beauty of Joseon world. The texture is lightweight but not watery - kind of like a thin honey consistency. It absorbs pretty quickly, though I did notice it left a slightly tacky feeling for about minutes after application.
After two weeks of daily use, I started noticing my skin looked... brighter? Not dramatically different, but like someone had adjusted the contrast settings on my face just slightly. The real change came around week four when my coworkers started asking if I was using a new foundation. I wasn't - just the serum.
The results weren't earth-shattering, but they were consistent. My skin tone became more even, and those stubborn dark spots from old acne started fading. Not gone, but definitely less noticeable.
Calming Serum (The Problem Solver)
I tried this one during a particularly stressful period when my skin was throwing an absolute tantrum. Breakouts, redness, the works. This serum contains snail secretion filtrate (yes, that gross-sounding ingredient I mentioned), and honestly? It worked.
Within a week, the angry red bumps on my chin started calming down. The healing process was noticeably faster than usual. Usually, when I get a stubborn pimple, it hangs around for weeks like an unwanted houseguest. With this serum, blemishes were clearing up in about half that time.
The downside? It made my skin look slightly shiny, so I had to adjust my morning routine. Not ideal if you're already dealing with oily skin.
Revive Serum (The Anti-Aging Hope)
This is where things got interesting. This serum is supposed to target aging concerns, and at my age, I'm starting to take that seriously. The formula includes ginseng and snail secretion - basically Korean skincare's greatest hits.
I used this consistently for three months. The texture is richer than the other two, almost like a lightweight cream. It takes longer to absorb, so I only used it at night.
The results were subtle but real. Those fine lines around my eyes didn't disappear (let's be realistic here), but they definitely looked less prominent. My skin felt more plump and hydrated when I woke up in the morning.
The Science Behind the Claims
I'm not a chemist, but I did some research because I wanted to understand if there was actual science backing up these products or if it was all marketing fluff.
Turns out, many of Beauty of Joseon's key ingredients have legitimate research supporting their effectiveness:
| Ingredient | Research Backing | Expected Results |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Arbutin | Multiple studies on melanin inhibition | Brighter, more even skin tone |
| Niacinamide | Extensive research on oil control | Reduced pore appearance, less oily skin |
| Snail Secretion | Studies on wound healing properties | Faster healing, improved hydration |
| Rice Bran Extract | Traditional use + modern studies | Antioxidant protection, gentle exfoliation |
The concentrations in these serums seem to be within effective ranges based on the research I found. Not too little to be useless, not so much that they cause irritation for most people.
Price Point Reality Check
Here's where Beauty of Joseon really shines - the price point. Most of their serums cost between $15-20. Compare that to similar products from Western brands that easily cost $50-100.
I calculated the cost per use based on my consumption rate:
- One bottle lasts approximately 2.5- months with daily use
- Cost per day: roughly $0.20-0.25
- Annual cost for daily use: about $60-80
That's less than what I used to spend on a single "high-end" serum that lasted two months.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Try These Serums
After eight months of testing, here's my honest assessment of who would benefit from Beauty of Joseon serums:
Good Candidates:
- People with mild to moderate skin concerns (not severe acne or major aging issues)
- Those looking for gentle, consistent improvement rather than dramatic overnight changes
- Anyone wanting to try K-beauty without breaking the bank
- People with sensitive skin who can't handle harsh actives
- Skincare beginners who want effective but simple formulations
Might Want to Skip:
- People expecting miracle-level results
- Those with severe acne who need prescription-strength treatments
- Anyone allergic to snail products (check ingredients carefully)
- People who prefer immediate, dramatic results
The Honest Verdict
So, does Beauty of Joseon serum actually work? Yes, but with important caveats.
These aren't miracle products. They won't transform your skin overnight or erase years of sun damage in a month. What they will do is provide gentle, consistent improvement over time at a price that won't make your wallet cry.
My skin is definitely better than it was eight months ago. Not perfect, not dramatically different, but noticeably improved. The texture is smoother, the tone is more even, and breakouts heal faster.
The key is managing expectations. If you're looking for the Korean skincare equivalent of Botox, you'll be disappointed. If you want affordable, gentle products that actually do something positive for your skin, you'll probably be happy with the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to see results from Beauty of Joseon serums?
A: In my experience, subtle changes started around week 2-3, with more noticeable improvements by month 2. Don't expect overnight miracles.
Q: Can I use multiple Beauty of Joseon serums together?
A: I used different ones at different times rather than layering them. The formulations are gentle enough that layering is probably fine, but start slowly.
Q: Are these serums suitable for sensitive skin?
A: They were gentle on my combination-sensitive skin, but patch test first. The formulations are generally mild.
Q: Where's the best place to buy authentic Beauty of Joseon products?
A: I bought mine from reputable K-beauty retailers online. Avoid suspiciously cheap options that might be counterfeit.
Q: Do these serums work for anti-aging?
A: They provide mild anti-aging benefits but aren't replacements for stronger actives like retinoids if you have significant aging concerns.
Q: What's the shelf life once opened?
A: Most suggest using within 6- months after opening. I used mine within months, so this wasn't an issue.
Final Thoughts
Beauty of Joseon serums occupy an interesting sweet spot in the skincare world. They're not groundbreaking, but they're solid, affordable products that deliver on their modest promises.
If you're tired of overhyped, overpriced serums that under-deliver, these might be worth trying. Just go in with realistic expectations and give them time to work.
Would I repurchase? Yes, actually. I'm currently on my second bottle of the Glow Deep Serum and planning to reorder the Calming Serum for those inevitable stress-breakout emergencies.
Sometimes "good enough" at a great price beats "supposedly amazing" at a premium price. And in my experience, that's exactly what Beauty of Joseon delivers.
