Hello, skincare lovers!
Let’s talk about a universal struggle, especially here in the UK: finding a moisturiser that actually works. Not one that just sits on your skin feeling greasy. Not one that causes redness or stinging. But a cream that truly hydrates, calms, and makes your skin feel better. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you know this search can feel endless.
Enter Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream. This Korean skincare product has achieved cult status online, praised by beauty experts and everyday users alike. But with so much hype, it’s hard to know what’s real. Is it truly a miracle in a jar, or just another product buoyed by clever marketing?
As a blogger with dry, temperamental skin that reacts to everything, I decided to find out. I used this cream exclusively for over a month, putting it through its paces against central heating, windy British weather, and daily life. This is my comprehensive, deep-dive review. We’ll explore its history, dissect its ingredients, and I’ll give you my completely honest verdict on whether it deserves a spot in your skincare routine.
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A Journey Back in Time: The Story of Beauty of Joseon
The name isn’t just for show. Beauty of Joseon is inspired by the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), a period in Korean history renowned for its advancements in art, science, and medicine. Historical texts from this era, such as the “Dongui Bogam” (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine), detailed sophisticated herbal remedies and skincare practices.
The brand’s genius is in taking these ancient, time-tested herbal recipes and fusing them with cutting-edge modern skincare science. They aren’t just selling a story; they’re delivering a philosophy of skincare that is gentle, effective, and holistic. This commitment to clean, thoughtful formulation is why they’ve become a cornerstone of the K-Beauty world and a favourite for those with sensitive skin.
Beyond the Hype: Decoding the Key Ingredients
The true magic of any product lies in its formula. The Dynasty Cream is a powerhouse of skin-loving ingredients, each chosen for a specific purpose. Let’s break them down in simple terms.
1. Hanbang Herb Complex (The Traditional Heart):
- What it is: A blend of traditional Korean herbs, including Ginseng Root Extract and Green Plum Extract.
- What it does: This is the soul of the product. Ginseng is a renowned antioxidant, helping to fight off damage from pollution and UV exposure, which can make skin look tired and dull. Green Plum Extract is gently acidic, helping to ever so slightly exfoliate and brighten the skin’s surface, promoting a clear, radiant glow. These aren’t marketing fluff; they are active, effective components.
2. Niacinamide (The Multi-Tasking Superstar):
- What it is: A form of Vitamin B3.
- What it does: This ingredient is a true workhorse. For dry and sensitive skin, its primary benefit is barrier repair. It helps strengthen your skin’s natural defence system, making it more resilient and better at retaining moisture. It also helps to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and minimise the look of pores. It’s a brilliant all-rounder.
3. Ceramides (The Protective Shield):
- What it is: Lipids (fats) that are naturally found in our skin’s outermost layer.
- What it does: Imagine a brick wall. Your skin cells are the bricks, and ceramides are the mortar that holds them together. Dry, sensitive skin often has a weakened “wall” with missing mortar. This cream supplies ceramides to patch up the gaps, locking in hydration and locking out environmental irritants that cause sensitivity.
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4. Shea Butter & Soybean Extract (The Hydration Heroes):
- What they are: Rich, natural emollients.
- What they do: These ingredients provide deep, long-lasting moisture. They don’t just coat the skin; they help to replenish lipids and soften the skin, relieving that tight, uncomfortable feeling that comes with dryness.
What’s NOT in it: Crucially, the formula is free from essential oils, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and harsh alcohols—all common triggers for reactive skin.
First Impressions: The Sensory Experience
The cream arrives in a stunning, heavy glass jar with an intricately designed gold lid. It feels luxurious and expensive, a beautiful object to display on your vanity.
Upon opening it, you’re greeted with a very subtle, clean, and slightly herbal scent. It’s not perfumed or overwhelming; it simply smells like its natural ingredients. This is a huge win for anyone whose skin reacts to fragrance.
The texture is a rich, velvety cream. It’s substantial—you can tell it’s nourishing—but it’s not overly thick or balmy. It feels luxurious to the touch.
The Application: How It Performs Day and Night
I incorporated the cream into my routine both AM and PM for four weeks.
Morning Routine:
After cleansing and applying my vitamin C serum, I would take a small amount of cream (a little goes a long way), warm it between my fingers, and press it gently into my skin. It absorbed remarkably quickly, leaving no greasy residue—a perfect base for makeup. My foundation applied smoothly over it without pilling.
Evening Routine:
At night, I’d be more generous, applying a slightly thicker layer as the final step to seal in all my other treatments (like a hyaluronic acid serum or a prescription retinoid). It acted as a comforting, protective barrier overnight.
The Results: A Week-by-Week Breakdown
- Week 1: Immediate relief. My skin felt instantly soothed, hydrated, and comfortable. The tight, dry feeling I often had by midday vanished.
- Week 2: A visible change. The dry, flaky patches around my nose and eyebrows had completely smoothed out. My skin looked plump and had a dewy, healthy glow—the famous “K-Beauty glass skin” effect.
- Week 3 & 4: Long-term benefits. My skin barrier felt stronger. It was less reactive to my retinoid and less prone to random redness. The hydration lasted all day, even in harsh, windy conditions.
Who Is This Cream an IDEAL Match For?
Based on my experience, this cream is a near-perfect solution for:
- Dry & Dehydrated Skin Types: It provides deep, lasting moisture without heaviness.
- Sensitive & Reactive Skin: Its gentle, fragrance-free formula calms rather than provokes.
- Mature Skin: The antioxidant-rich herbal blend helps combat dullness and environmental damage.
- Anyone with a Compromised Skin Barrier: If your skin feels weak, thin, or easily irritated, the ceramide and niacinamide combo is ideal for repair.
- Fans of the “Skinimalism” Trend: If you prefer a simple routine with multi-tasking products, this cream hydrates, soothes, and protects in one step.
Who Might Want to Skip This Cream?
No product is universally perfect. This might not be the best choice if:
- You Have Very Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: While it’s not comedogenic (pore-clogging), its rich nature might be too much for very oily skin, especially in humid weather. A lighter gel-cream or lotion may be better.
- You Prefer Utilitarian Packaging: The beautiful glass jar isn’t the most travel-friendly, and some prefer hygienic pump packaging.
- You’re on a Very Tight Budget: It is more expensive than basic pharmacy staples like CeraVe or Cetaphil.
How It Compares: The UK Moisturiser Market
- vs. CeraVe Moisturising Cream: CeraVe is a fantastic, no-frills barrier repair cream. The Dynasty Cream offers similar ceramide benefits but adds the antioxidant power of its Hanbang herbs and a far more luxurious sensory experience.
- vs. Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream: They are very close in function and quality. The Dynasty Cream is often considered a more affordable dupe for the Dr. Jart+ cream, delivering comparable barrier-repair results.
- vs. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream: Both are excellent hydrators. Kiehl’s has a simpler ingredient list, while Beauty of Joseon offers the added value of its traditional herbal complex.
The UK Buyer’s Guide: Where to Shop Safely
As a Korean brand, it’s not available on the high street. But several reputable online retailers ship to the UK quickly and reliably.
1. Stylevana UK: Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream on Stylevana
- Pros: Often has the best prices and frequent sales.
- Cons: Standard shipping can take 2-3 weeks. Check that items are “usually dispatched within 24 hours” to avoid longer waits.
2. YesStyle UK: Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream on YesStyle
- Pros: Reliable customer service and a huge selection of other K-Beauty products.
- Cons: Prices can fluctuate; it’s good to check both sites.
3. PureSeoul: (A UK-Based K-Beauty Store!)
- Pros: They have a physical store in London and a UK-based online shop. This means faster shipping and no import taxes.
- Cons: Prices can be slightly higher to account for their overheads.
- Link: PureSeoul Online Store
Important Note on Import Duty: Orders from Stylevana and YesStyle are typically shipped from Asia. By law, if your order value (including shipping) is over £135, you may be charged UK import VAT and a Royal Mail handling fee. Keeping orders below this threshold usually avoids this.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
After a month of rigorous testing, my conclusion is that the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream absolutely lives up to its reputation.
The Pros:
- Provides deep, long-lasting hydration without a greasy finish.
- Calms sensitivity and strengthens the skin barrier over time.
- Free from common irritants like fragrance and essential oils.
- Leaves skin with a healthy, dewy glow.
- Luxurious feel and beautiful packaging.
The Cons:
- Requires online purchase and potential wait for delivery.
- Jar packaging is less hygienic than a pump.
- Not the most budget-friendly option.
Is it the ultimate moisturiser? For anyone with dry, sensitive, or barrier-damaged skin, it is undoubtedly a top-tier contender. It’s a product that delivers tangible results, combining the best of traditional wisdom with modern science. It has earned a permanent place in my skincare arsenal.
Have you tried the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream? What were your results? Do you have another holy-grail moisturiser I should know about? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
You asked, and we’ve listened! Since publishing our deep dive, we’ve received so many brilliant questions about this cult-status cream. I’ve compiled the most common and insightful ones here to give you all the extra information you need before you buy.
Q1: My skin is both sensitive and acne-prone. Is this cream likely to clog my pores or cause breakouts?
A: This is a crucial question. While the Dynasty Cream is rich, it is formulated to be non-comedogenic, meaning it is designed not to clog pores. The ingredients list is free of heavy mineral oils and pore-clogging butters like coconut oil. However, “acne-prone” can mean different things for different people. The cream contains shea butter, which has a low comedogenic rating (1-2 out of 5), but in rare cases, can cause issues for some. If you are extremely prone to closed comedones (small, flesh-coloured bumps), it might be wise to patch test first. For many, the barrier-repairing benefits of the ceramides and niacinamide can actually reduce breakouts by creating a healthier, more resilient skin environment.
Q2: How does it perform under makeup? Does it cause pilling?
A: It performs excellently as a makeup base, provided you apply it correctly. The key is to allow it to fully absorb into the skin before moving on to your sunscreen or foundation. This takes about 2-3 minutes. Because it sinks in so well rather than sitting on the skin, it creates a smooth, hydrated canvas that actually helps makeup apply more evenly. Pilling usually occurs when too much product is applied, or when formulas with conflicting bases (e.g., a water-based cream and a silicone-based foundation) are layered. This cream plays well with others, but as with any product, gentle patting and pressing during application is better than rubbing vigorously.
Q3: Can I use this cream if I have rosacea or eczema?
A: The Dynasty Cream is an excellent candidate for those with rosacea or eczema due to what it lacks (fragrance, essential oils, alcohol) and what it contains (ceramides, niacinamide). These ingredients are known for repairing the skin barrier and reducing inflammation and redness—key concerns for both conditions. However, every case of rosacea and eczema is unique. What calms one person’s skin might irritate another’s. I highly recommend doing a patch test first. Apply a small amount to a discreet area (like behind your ear or on the inside of your arm) for a few consecutive days to see how your skin reacts before applying it to your entire face.
Q4: Is it suitable for use in a humid UK summer, or is it too heavy?
A: This is a great point about seasonal use. During a hot, humid British summer, your skin’s needs change. You might find the rich texture of the Dynasty Cream too much for daytime use during these months. It would be perfect as a night cream year-round. For summer daytime, you might prefer a lighter lotion from the same brand, like the Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel Cream. Alternatively, you could use a much smaller, pea-sized amount of the Dynasty Cream and mix it with a drop of water or a hydrating toner to thin it out slightly for daytime.
Q5: What’s the difference between this and the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sunscreen? Can I use both?
A: These are two completely different products with different purposes, and yes, you should absolutely use both!
- Dynasty Cream: This is a moisturiser. Its job is to hydrate, nourish, and repair your skin barrier.
- Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics Sunscreen: This is a sunscreen. Its job is to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays.
The correct order of application is: 1. Dynasty Cream (moisturiser) -> 2. Relief Sun (sunscreen). Think of the moisturiser as food for your skin, and the sunscreen as its protective coat before going outside.
Q6: How long does one jar typically last with daily use?
A: A 50ml jar is a very generous size for a face cream. With consistent twice-daily use, one jar should easily last you 2 to 3 months. Because the texture is rich and a little goes a long way, you don’t need to scoop out a huge amount each time. This makes it better value for money than it might first appear.
Q7: I use retinol. Can I layer this cream with it?
A: Yes, absolutely. In fact, the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream is a fantastic partner for retinol and other potent actives. Using retinol can sometimes compromise the skin barrier, leading to dryness, flakiness, and irritation. Applying this cream after your retinol helps to counteract those effects by replenishing ceramides and providing intense hydration, making your skin more tolerant of the treatment. It helps create a “buffer” without reducing the efficacy of the active ingredient.
Q8: Are there any active ingredients I should avoid pairing with this cream?
A: The beauty of this cream’s formulation is its simplicity and compatibility. There are no notorious “conflict” ingredients like strong acids (AHAs/BHAs) or vitamin C in the formula itself. It is designed to be a supportive, barrier-repairing product that can be safely layered with most actives. The one rule of thumb in skincare is to always apply products in order of consistency—thinnest to thickest. So, you would apply your water-based serums (e.g., vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid), then your treatments (e.g., retinol), and finally, this cream as the last step to seal everything in.
Q9: How does it compare to other Korean barrier creams like Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream?
A: Both are superb, award-winning barrier creams, but they have different feels and target audiences.
- Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Cream: Focuses more purely on barrier repair with its ceramide capsules. It has a thicker, more utilitarian texture and is often favoured by those with very dry, eczema-prone skin or who prefer a no-frills, functional product.
- Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream: Also excels at barrier repair but adds the antioxidant and brightening benefits of its Hanbang herbal blend. It has a more luxurious, velvety texture and a more elegant sensory experience. It’s for those who want effective skincare that also feels like a treat.
Q10: What’s the best way to store it to keep it effective?
A: To preserve the efficacy of the natural ingredients and antioxidants, it’s best to store the jar in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and away from heat sources like radiators or the steam from your shower. The bathroom cabinet is fine if it’s not too humid. Always ensure the lid is tightly sealed after each use to prevent the formula from oxidising or drying out.
