The best Beauty of Joseon starter kit is small: a gentle cleanser, one serum, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. If you can only buy one product, buy Relief Sun, because daily sun protection does more for long-term skin health than any serum. From there, add a cleanser, then a moisturizer, then a serum that matches your main concern.
This guide shows you how to build an effective routine with three or four products and how to spend wisely as you grow it.
The priority order
- Sunscreen: Relief Sun or Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh.
- Cleanser: Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser.
- Moisturizer: Red Bean Water Gel or Dynasty Cream.
- One serum: chosen by your main concern.
Most of the visible benefit of a routine comes from consistent cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection. Serums are the “extra” that targets a specific goal.
Starter kits by skin type
| Skin type | Cleanser | Moisturizer | Sunscreen | Optional serum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oily | Green Plum Cleanser | Red Bean Water Gel | Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh | Glow Serum |
| Dry | Green Plum Cleanser (PM only) | Dynasty Cream | Relief Sun | Revive Serum |
| Combination | Green Plum Cleanser | Red Bean Water Gel | Relief Sun | Glow Serum |
| Sensitive | Green Plum Cleanser (PM only) | Your tolerated moisturizer | Relief Sun | Calming Barrier Serum |
The 3-product minimalist routine
If you want to keep spending and steps to a minimum:
- Morning: water rinse, moisturizer, Relief Sun.
- Evening: Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser, moisturizer.
On days you wear sunscreen, a gentle cleanser can remove light layers, but a balm or oil first cleanse will remove it more thoroughly. If you wear makeup or water-resistant SPF daily, your fourth purchase might be the Radiance Cleansing Balm rather than a serum.
Choosing your one serum
| Main goal | Serum |
|---|---|
| Glow and hydration | Glow Serum |
| Uneven-looking tone and dark marks | Glow Deep Serum |
| Dullness, vitamin C beginner | Light On Serum |
| Redness or reactive skin | Calming Barrier Serum |
| Dehydration, mature skin | Revive Serum |
Unsure between two popular serums? See Glow Serum vs Glow Deep Serum and our picks in best products by skin concern.
What to add later (in order)
- A first cleanser (balm or oil) if you wear sunscreen or makeup daily. Compare them in Radiance Balm vs Ginseng Oil.
- A sunscreen stick for reapplying, such as the Matte Sun Stick.
- An exfoliant for weekly use, like the Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel.
- An essence if your skin feels dry: Ginseng Essence Water.
- A targeted eye product such as the Revive Eye Serum, if that is a priority.
Money-saving tips
- Buy one product at a time. This also makes it easier to see what works and spot any reaction.
- Use the right amount. Too little sunscreen wastes protection; too much serum wastes product. Two or three drops of serum is usually enough.
- Do not buy duplicates of the same role. Two moisturizers make sense only if your skin changes a lot with the seasons.
- Store products well so they last until you finish them. See our shelf life and storage guide.
- Buy from reputable sellers. A cheap fake is the most expensive mistake (see how to spot fakes).
A 4-week plan to introduce your kit
- Week 1: start with cleanser and moisturizer.
- Week 2: add sunscreen every morning.
- Week 3: patch test your serum, then add it every other day.
- Week 4: use the serum daily if your skin is comfortable.
Introducing products slowly makes it much easier to know which one helps, and which one to drop if something does not suit you. Our patch test guide explains how.
Signs your starter routine is working
- Your skin feels comfortable after cleansing, not tight.
- Midday shine or dryness has improved.
- Makeup, if you wear it, sits more smoothly.
- You are using sunscreen every day without thinking about it.
Starter kit mistakes to avoid
- Buying a full routine at once. If something irritates your skin, you will not know which product caused it.
- Choosing a serum before sunscreen. Without daily SPF, brightening and anti-aging serums have a harder job.
- Picking products by hype instead of skin type. A rich cream that suits a friend with dry skin may feel heavy on oily skin.
- Skipping the cleanser upgrade when you wear SPF daily. A balm first cleanse removes sunscreen more thoroughly and is often a better fourth purchase than a second serum.
- Giving up too early. Hydration improves quickly, but tone and texture take weeks.
Where to buy in Canada
Start building your kit from our product pages: Relief Sun, Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser, Red Bean Water Gel and Dynasty Cream. Each page shows details and current Canadian buying options.
FAQ
What is the one Beauty of Joseon product to buy first?
Relief Sun, or Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh if your skin is oily. Daily sunscreen is the foundation of any routine.
Do I need a toner to start?
No. Toners and essences are optional. Add Ginseng Essence Water later if your skin feels dry.
Can I use only sunscreen and moisturizer?
Yes, in the morning. In the evening, you still need to cleanse to remove sunscreen.
How long should I wait before judging a new routine?
Give it about four to six weeks of consistent use, unless you have a reaction.