COSRX vs Beauty of Joseon.
The two K-beauty brands most-cited in The Glow's testing and most-recommended on Reddit. COSRX leads on snail mucin and routine workhorses. Beauty of Joseon leads on serums, SPF, and value-for-evidence at sub-$30 pricing.
The two K-beauty brands most-cited in The Glow's testing and most-recommended on Reddit. COSRX leads on snail mucin and routine workhorses. Beauty of Joseon leads on serums, SPF, and value-for-evidence at sub-$30 pricing. Both brands are reviewed independently in The Glow's archive — see the COSRX review and the Beauty of Joseon review for the full editorial breakdown of each. The comparison below is the head-to-head across the dimensions that matter most when cross-shopping.
Head-to-head.
| Criterion | COSRX | Beauty of Joseon | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Glow score | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 | Beauty of Joseon |
| Category position | Korean skincare | Korean skincare | Tie (different positions) |
| Price tier | Affordable-K-beauty ($15–$45) | Affordable-K-beauty ($15–$45) | Tie |
| Australian retail availability | Adore Beauty, Yesstyle, Mecca (some) | Adore Beauty, Yesstyle, Mecca (some) | Tie |
| Brand voice | COSRX's established brand register | Beauty of Joseon's established brand register | Tie (preference) |
| Best single product | See full review | See full review | Tie |
| Editorial verdict | Top tier — buy | Top tier — buy | Beauty of Joseon |
Pick by.
- First-time buyer in this category
- Beauty of Joseon — higher overall Glow score in this comparison.
- Sensitive skin
- Both are widely tolerated. K-beauty formulations tend to favour gentleness.
- Budget priority
- The lower-priced brand in your local retailer wins on raw budget — but check value-for-formulation in our individual reviews.
- Premium / result-led shopper
- Beauty of Joseon — the higher Glow score reflects formulation depth and brand credibility at the premium tier.
- Easiest to find in Australia
- Both have established AU distribution.
Frequently asked questions.
- COSRX or Beauty of Joseon — which is better?
- COSRX scored 9.3/10 and Beauty of Joseon scored 9.4/10 in The Glow's testing. They are very close. Both are credible buys. Choose by category position, price tier, and brand voice — see the head-to-head table above for the full breakdown.
- Where can I buy COSRX and Beauty of Joseon in Australia?
- COSRX: see our COSRX review for current AU stockists. Beauty of Joseon: see our Beauty of Joseon review for current AU stockists. Both are widely available in Australia through their respective retail channels.
- Is COSRX or Beauty of Joseon better value?
- Value depends on what you're optimising for. Per-ml pricing, formulation depth at the price point, and longevity of use all factor in. The 'value' answer is rarely the cheapest — it's the product that earns its price tier. See our individual reviews for the editorial value-for-money score on each brand.
- Can I use both COSRX and Beauty of Joseon?
- Yes — they're typically not in direct conflict at the routine level. Most users have at least 2–3 different brands across their routine for category-specific reasons. Mixing brands is the norm in evidence-based skincare.