Beauty of Joseon Brand Guide: Hanbang Storytelling, Rice, Ginseng, and SPF

Beauty of Joseon is a Korean skincare brand that draws inspiration from traditional Korean herbal medicine, known as “hanbang.” The brand’s philosophy centers on creating gentle yet effective formulations using ingredients historically valued for their beneficial properties. This guide explores the brand’s core principles, key ingredients like rice and ginseng, and how to integrate their popular products, including their well-regarded SPF, into a comprehensive skincare routine.

For additional Koreabo context, compare this guide with our Beauty Of Joseon brand page, Korean sunscreen category, and Korean sunscreen ranking page.

The Hanbang Philosophy: Skincare Rooted in Tradition

The term “hanbang” refers to traditional Korean herbal medicine, a practice with centuries of history. Beauty of Joseon embraces this heritage by formulating products that aim to restore skin balance and address concerns through natural, time-tested ingredients. Rather than focusing on harsh, immediate fixes, hanbang skincare emphasizes a holistic approach, believing that healthy skin is a reflection of internal balance.

This approach often involves ingredients like ginseng, rice bran water, green tea, and various botanical extracts, each selected for specific properties – from brightening and anti-aging to soothing and hydrating. The brand aims to make these traditional remedies accessible and effective for modern skincare needs, presenting them in elegant formulations that are often gentle enough for sensitive skin types.

Understanding the Skincare Routine Order for Beauty of Joseon Products

Integrating Beauty of Joseon products into a routine follows the generally accepted Korean skincare layering method: thinnest to thickest consistency. This allows each product to absorb properly and deliver its active ingredients without interference. While individual products may vary, a typical routine would look like this:

1. Oil Cleanser: To remove oil-based impurities like makeup, sunscreen, and sebum.
2. Water-Based Cleanser: To cleanse lingering impurities and prepare the skin for treatment.
3. Toner: To balance pH and prep the skin for better absorption of subsequent products.
4. Essence/Serum: Targeted treatments for specific concerns (e.g., brightening, hydration, anti-aging).
5. Moisturizer: To seal in hydration and strengthen the skin barrier.
6. Sunscreen (AM only): Essential for protecting skin from UV damage.

This order ensures that active ingredients penetrate effectively and that the skin receives comprehensive care. Skipping steps or applying products out of order can diminish their efficacy. For instance, applying a thick moisturizer before a lightweight serum might prevent the serum from reaching the skin properly.

Building a Beauty of Joseon Skincare Routine

Creating a routine with Beauty of Joseon products means selecting items that address your specific skin concerns while adhering to the layering principles. Here’s a breakdown by product type and how they fit into a routine:

Cleansing

• Radiance Cleansing Balm (Oil Cleanser): This balm, infused with rice bran and grain extracts, melts away makeup and impurities. It’s an excellent first step for all skin types, especially those who wear makeup or heavy sunscreen.
• Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser (Water-Based Cleanser): A low-pH, gel-type cleanser with plum water and mung bean extract, it gently cleanses without stripping the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and hydrated.

Practical Application: Start with the Radiance Cleansing Balm on dry skin, massaging it in circular motions to dissolve impurities. Emulsify with a little water, then rinse thoroughly. Follow with the Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser on damp skin, lathering gently before rinsing.

Toning

• Ginseng Essence Water: A hydrating toner enriched with ginseng root water and niacinamide. It preps the skin, provides antioxidant benefits, and helps improve skin tone.

Practical Application: After cleansing, dispense a few drops of the Ginseng Essence Water onto your palms or a cotton pad and gently pat or swipe over your face and neck.

Treatment (Essences & Serums)

This is where Beauty of Joseon offers targeted solutions. You can choose one or layer multiple, depending on your needs. Apply from thinnest to thickest if layering.

• Glow Serum (Propolis + Niacinamide): A popular choice for those with acne-prone or inflamed skin. Propolis helps calm and heal, while niacinamide addresses texture and hyperpigmentation.
• Revive Serum (Ginseng + Snail Mucin): Ideal for anti-aging concerns, this serum combines ginseng for elasticity with snail mucin for repair and hydration.
• Calming Serum (Green Tea + Panthenol): Formulated to soothe irritated or sensitive skin, featuring green tea for antioxidants and panthenol for barrier support.
• Glow Deep Serum (Rice + Alpha-Arbutin): Targets hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone with rice bran water and alpha-arbutin, a gentle brightening agent.

Practical Application: After toning, apply 2-3 drops of your chosen serum(s) to your face, gently patting until absorbed. If layering, start with the most watery serum. For example, you might use Glow Deep Serum for brightening, followed by Revive Serum for anti-aging.

Moisturizing

• Dynasty Cream: A rich, nourishing cream with rice bran water, ginseng, and squalane. It’s designed to provide deep hydration and improve skin barrier function, suitable for most skin types, especially normal to dry.
• Red Bean Water Gel: A lightweight, refreshing gel moisturizer with red bean extract, suitable for oily or combination skin, providing hydration without heaviness.

Practical Application: Take a small amount of cream or gel and apply it evenly over your face and neck, gently massaging until absorbed. Use the Dynasty Cream for richer hydration or the Red Bean Water Gel for a lighter feel.

Sun Protection

• Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++: This is arguably Beauty of Joseon’s most famous product. It’s a chemical sunscreen known for its lightweight texture, lack of white cast, and hydrating properties, thanks to rice extract and probiotics.

Practical Application: As the final step in your morning routine, apply a generous amount (about two finger-lengths) of Relief Sun to your face and neck at least 15-20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours when outdoors or after sweating/swimming.

Beauty of Joseon: Authentic Hanbang Korean Skincare Products

Beauty of Joseon distinguishes itself by grounding its product development in hanbang principles. This isn’t merely a marketing tactic; it influences ingredient selection, formulation, and the overall approach to skin health. The brand aims to offer what they call “Hanbang Storytelling,” where each product tells a story of traditional ingredients and their benefits.

For instance, ginseng, a cornerstone hanbang ingredient, is celebrated for its adaptogenic properties, helping the skin cope with stress and environmental damage. Rice, another key ingredient, has been used for centuries in Korea for its brightening and soothing effects. By focusing on these ingredients and combining them with modern dermatological understanding, Beauty of Joseon creates products that are both rooted in tradition and relevant to contemporary skincare needs.

The brand’s commitment to hanbang often means avoiding common irritants and focusing on gentle, effective formulations. This makes their products appealing to individuals looking for a more natural approach to skincare or those with sensitive skin who react to harsher active ingredients.

How to Use Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Your Guide

The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum (Propolis + Niacinamide) is one of the brand’s most popular offerings, particularly for those dealing with acne, inflammation, or uneven skin tone.

Key Ingredients and Benefits:

• Propolis Extract (60%): Known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties. It can help calm irritated skin and support the skin’s natural recovery process.
• Niacinamide (2%): A versatile ingredient that helps improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of pores, strengthen the skin barrier, and regulate sebum production.
• Turmeric Extract: Provides antioxidant benefits and can help brighten the complexion.

When and How to Use:

The Glow Serum is best used after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing.

1. Cleanse and Tone: Prepare your skin with the Radiance Cleansing Balm, Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser, and Ginseng Essence Water.
2. Apply Serum: Dispense 2-3 drops of the Glow Serum onto your fingertips.
3. Gentle Patting: Gently pat the serum over your entire face, allowing it to absorb fully. Avoid rubbing aggressively, as patting helps with absorption and minimizes friction.
4. Follow with Moisturizer: Once the serum has absorbed, apply your chosen Beauty of Joseon moisturizer (e.g., Dynasty Cream or Red Bean Water Gel).

Practical Considerations:

• Frequency: It can be used once or twice daily, depending on your skin’s needs and tolerance. If you’re new to niacinamide, start with once a day to see how your skin reacts.
• Layering: The Glow Serum has a slightly viscous texture. If you’re layering with other serums, apply thinner serums first. For example, if you also use the Glow Deep Serum (Rice + Alpha-Arbutin), you might apply that first as it’s typically lighter.
• Compatibility: Propolis and niacinamide are generally well-tolerated. However, always patch test new products, especially if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.
• Targeted Use: While suitable for general skin health, it’s particularly effective for reducing redness, calming breakouts, and improving overall skin clarity.

Beauty of Joseon Skincare Set for Combination to Oily Skin

For those with combination to oily skin, the goal is often to control excess sebum, minimize pores, and maintain hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. Beauty of Joseon offers several products that align well with these needs.

Here’s a suggested set for combination to oily skin, focusing on lighter textures and ingredients that address oiliness and potential breakouts:

This combination focuses on gentle cleansing, balancing hydration, targeting common concerns like hyperpigmentation and breakouts, and providing essential sun protection, all while avoiding overly rich or heavy formulations.

Beauty of Joseon Skincare Routine Builder for All Skin Types

Building a customized Beauty of Joseon routine involves understanding your skin type and concerns, then selecting products that align with those needs. Here’s a framework to help you build a routine:

Step 1: Identify Your Skin Type & Concerns

• Oily/Combination: Excess shine, visible pores, occasional breakouts. (Focus: sebum control, lightweight hydration, anti-inflammatory.)
• Dry/Dehydrated: Tightness, flakiness, dullness. (Focus: deep hydration, barrier support, nourishing ingredients.)
• Sensitive: Redness, irritation, reactivity. (Focus: soothing, gentle ingredients, barrier repair.)
• Normal: Balanced, few concerns. (Focus: maintenance, prevention, overall health.)
• Aging Concerns: Fine lines, loss of elasticity, uneven tone. (Focus: antioxidants, collagen support, deep hydration.)
• Hyperpigmentation: Dark spots, uneven skin tone. (Focus: brightening agents, sun protection.)

Step 2: Select Your Cleansers (Always 2 Steps)

• Oil Cleanser: Radiance Cleansing Balm (suitable for all skin types, effectively removes makeup/sunscreen).
• Water-Based Cleanser:
  • Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser: Good for all, especially oily/combo/normal.
  • Alternative: If very dry/sensitive, choose a creamier, low-pH cleanser from another brand if needed, as BoJ currently has two main cleansers.

Step 3: Choose Your Toner/Essence Water

• Ginseng Essence Water: Suitable for all skin types. Provides hydration, antioxidants, and niacinamide benefits.

Step 4: Select Your Serum(s) (Targeted Treatment)

This is where customization is key. You can use one or two serums based on your primary concerns.

• For Anti-Aging/Repair: Revive Serum (Ginseng + Snail Mucin) – good for elasticity, hydration, and repair.
• For Brightening/Hyperpigmentation: Glow Deep Serum (Rice + Alpha-Arbutin) – targets dark spots and uneven tone gently.
• For Calming/Sensitive/Acne-Prone: Calming Serum (Green Tea + Panthenol) – soothes irritation, reduces redness.
• For Acne/Inflammation/Texture: Glow Serum (Propolis + Niacinamide) – calms breakouts, refines texture, regulates sebum.

Layering Serums: If using two, apply the one with the thinner consistency first. For example, Glow Deep Serum (often thinnest) then Revive Serum or Glow Serum.

Step 5: Pick Your Moisturizer

• Dynasty Cream: Best for normal, dry, or mature skin types seeking rich hydration and barrier support.
• Red Bean Water Gel: Ideal for oily, combination, or summer use when a lighter, refreshing texture is preferred.

Step 6: Essential Sun Protection (AM Only)

• Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++: A universal favorite, suitable for all skin types due to its lightweight, non-greasy, and hydrating formula with no white cast.

Example Routines:

Routine for Dry/Aging Skin:

• AM: Radiance Cleansing Balm (optional), Green Plum Cleanser, Ginseng Essence Water, Revive Serum, Dynasty Cream, Relief Sun.
• PM: Radiance Cleansing Balm, Green Plum Cleanser, Ginseng Essence Water, Revive Serum, Dynasty Cream.

Routine for Oily/Acne-Prone Skin:

• AM: Green Plum Cleanser, Ginseng Essence Water, Glow Serum, Red Bean Water Gel, Relief Sun.
• PM: Radiance Cleansing Balm, Green Plum Cleanser, Ginseng Essence Water, Glow Serum, Red Bean Water Gel.

By following this builder, you can tailor a Beauty of Joseon routine that effectively addresses your individual skin needs, drawing on the brand’s hanbang-inspired formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

In what order should I use Beauty of Joseon products?

Generally, follow the “thinnest to thickest” rule:

1. Oil Cleanser: Radiance Cleansing Balm
2. Water-Based Cleanser: Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
3. Toner: Ginseng Essence Water
4. Essence/Serum: (e.g., Glow Deep Serum, Revive Serum, Calming Serum, Glow Serum – apply thinnest first if layering)
5. Moisturizer: Dynasty Cream or Red Bean Water Gel
6. Sunscreen (AM only): Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++

What is the 4-2-4 rule in skincare?

The 4-2-4 rule is a Korean cleansing method, though not specifically a Beauty of Joseon rule. It involves:

• 4 minutes of massaging an oil cleanser into dry skin.
• 2 minutes of massaging a foaming (water-based) cleanser into damp skin.
• 4 minutes of rinsing your face with lukewarm water. While beneficial for thorough cleansing, it’s a significant time commitment. Many opt for shorter, still effective, cleansing durations. Beauty of Joseon’s cleansing balm and gel cleanser fit perfectly into a double cleansing routine, even if shortened.

What is the Beauty of Joseon skincare routine?

A Beauty of Joseon routine is highly customizable but generally involves:

1. Double Cleansing: Using the Radiance Cleansing Balm followed by the Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser.
2. Toning: Applying Ginseng Essence Water.
3. Targeted Treatment: Selecting one or more serums (Glow, Revive, Calming, or Glow Deep) based on skin concerns.
4. Moisturizing: Using either the Dynasty Cream (richer) or Red Bean Water Gel (lighter).
5. Sun Protection: Finishing with Relief Sun in the morning. The specific products chosen depend on your skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive) and primary concerns (e.g., anti-aging, acne, brightening).

Conclusion

Beauty of Joseon offers a thoughtfully curated range of skincare products that blend traditional hanbang ingredients with modern formulations. Their focus on ingredients like rice and ginseng, combined with gentle yet effective approaches, makes them a suitable choice for a wide spectrum of skin types and concerns. Whether you’re looking for targeted treatments with their popular serums, deep hydration with the Dynasty Cream, or reliable sun protection with the Relief Sun, understanding your skin’s needs and the proper layering technique will help you maximize the benefits of this brand’s unique philosophy.

Continue Your Koreabo Research

Related editorial guides:

• I’m From Brand Guide: Rice, Mugwort, Honey, and Ingredient-Origin Storytelling
• Tocobo Brand Guide: Sunscreen Textures, Vegan Positioning, and Modern K-Beauty
• Round Lab Brand Guide: Birch Juice Sunscreen, Dokdo Toner, and Gentle Care
• Rice Extract in Korean Skincare: Glow Ingredient or Marketing Story?

Useful Koreabo reference pages:

• Beauty Of Joseon brand page
• Korean sunscreen category
• Korean sunscreen ranking page
• rice ingredient page