Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream: Here's What Reviewers Actually Say

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream is the Korean moisturizer that put the brand on the map: a rice bran water and ginseng root water cream with niacinamide and squalane, sold on Amazon in 50 mL and 100 mL sizes. The 100 mL listing we checked carries a 4.5-star average across about 8,125 ratings (as of October 1, 2026). We haven't used it ourselves, so this roundup pulls together three published reviews and the Amazon numbers to show where reviewers agree, and where they clearly don't.

What reviewers consistently praised

The most repeated point is how comfortable it feels. Mirai Skin's reviewer, who used the 100 mL tube for a month on combination skin, describes a medium-weight, silky cream that absorbs without a tacky, sitting-on-the-surface feel, works under sunscreen without pilling, and left no excess oiliness by midday. Organic Beauty Lover's Andrea Lee calls it a firm gel moisturizer that hydrates deeply without feeling rich or heavy, says it goes well under makeup, and recommends it for oily and dehydrated skin. The artistrybyt reviewer likewise says it smooths on easily and gives a glowy effect after application.

On the formula, the sources agree on the headline ingredients. Organic Beauty Lover lists nearly 30% rice bran water and 5% ginseng root water alongside squalane and niacinamide, and the Amazon listing itself advertises 2% niacinamide and 2% squalane. Mirai Skin adds that the formula includes orchid extract and some ceramide activity. Over four weeks, Mirai's reviewer reported smoother-looking texture in the first two weeks and a more luminous look by week three, but explicitly called it gradual rather than dramatic.

What reviewers pushed back on

The clearest caveat is dryness in cold weather. Both Mirai Skin and artistrybyt say it may not be enough on its own for very dry skin in winter. The artistrybyt reviewer, who has normally dry skin and lives in Vancouver, found it did not give enough moisture for Canadian winters and suggests it as a spring or summer cream for normal or combination skin. She also notes it didn't make her all-time favourites list despite the brand's claims about acne-prone or imbalanced skin.

Reviewers also don't agree on texture. Mirai describes a medium-weight cream, while Organic Beauty Lover reads the same product as a lightweight gel-like moisturizer. Scent is another split: Mirai notes a very mild herbal ginseng note, artistrybyt a very light clean scent, and Organic Beauty Lover a subtle sweet one. Organic Beauty Lover also points out the formula isn't fully natural and contains a few synthetics. None of this is alarming, but if you're scent-sensitive, patch test first.

Which size and skin type does it suit?

Going by the reviews, the sweet spot is normal to combination skin, plus oily-but-dehydrated skin that wants hydration without heaviness. If your skin is very dry or you live somewhere with harsh winters, the same reviewers suggest pairing it with a hydrating toner underneath or a richer occlusive on top. Mirai Skin's reviewer used an almond-sized amount for face and neck twice daily, and says the 100 mL tube lasted well over a month with product left. Note that the Amazon listing we checked is the 100 mL size; check the live price before buying.

Before you buy: what to check

Make sure the listing says Beauty of Joseon and matches the size you want, since Amazon also carries bundles pairing this cream with the Glow Serum. If you're layering, the Mirai reviewer's order was toner, serum, then the cream as the final moisturizing step, followed by sunscreen in the morning. If you're prone to reactions, do a patch test; both Mirai Skin and Organic Beauty Lover describe it as generally gentle, but that's their experience, not a guarantee.

Quick answers to common questions

Can I use it morning and night? Mirai's reviewer did both for a month with no issues, while Organic Beauty Lover found it works best as a daytime moisturizer for her. Is it good under makeup? Both say yes. Will it fix winter dryness alone? Two of three reviewers say probably not.

Is it worth the price?

Amazon prices shift regularly, but even at the higher end of what we saw the cost is modest for a 100 mL cream, and Mirai Skin's reviewer called it excellent value. The 4.5-star average over thousands of ratings suggests most buyers are satisfied, with the usual caveat that star averages can't tell you whether it suits your particular skin.

Related reviews

• COSRX Snail Mucin Essence review — another widely reviewed K-beauty staple if you're building a hydrating routine around a simple cream.
• Anua Heartleaf Toner vs Round Lab Dokdo Toner — the toner step that Mirai's reviewer layered under this cream.
• COSRX Vitamin C 23 vs Innisfree Vitamin C serum — serum options that sit between toner and a moisturizer like this one.
• SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica vs Round Lab Birch Juice sunscreen — the sunscreen step that follows this cream in the morning.

Sources referenced for this roundup

• Mirai Skin — Dynasty Cream review by Bar Alezrah, March 8, 2026 (a K-beauty retailer's editorial review; one month on 100 mL tube)
• artistrybyt — "My Honest Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream Review" by Tiana
• Organic Beauty Lover — "My Honest Beauty Of Joseon Review" by Andrea Lee, June 2023, updated March 2025
• Amazon listing and customer ratings — 4.5 stars, about 8,125 ratings, checked October 1, 2026