Beauty of Joseon has a fairly compact line-up, which makes it surprisingly easy to build a full routine from one brand. The key is choosing the right version of each step for your skin type. Oily skin and dry skin need very different textures, even when the goals – clean, calm, protected and glowing skin – are the same. Here is a practical, step-by-step guide for both.
First, identify your skin type
A simple test: wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry and wait an hour without applying anything.
- Oily skin looks shiny across the forehead, nose, chin and often the cheeks. Pores tend to be more visible and breakouts are common.
- Dry skin feels tight, may look dull or flaky, and rarely gets shiny.
- Combination skin is oily in the T-zone and normal or dry on the cheeks. If that is you, borrow from both routines below: lighter textures on the T-zone, richer ones on the cheeks.
Remember that skin type can shift with the seasons. Many Canadians find their skin oilier in a humid summer and much drier in winter, when cold air outside and heating inside pull moisture from the skin. It is completely normal to adjust your routine twice a year.
The Beauty of Joseon routine for oily skin
Morning
- Cleanse: Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser. Its gentle, low-pH gel removes overnight oil without stripping, which matters: over-cleansing can leave oily skin dehydrated and even shinier.
- Hydrate: a few drops of Ginseng Essence Water. Oily skin still needs water-based hydration.
- Serum: Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide. Niacinamide is a go-to ingredient for the look of pores and oiliness, and propolis gives a healthy glow rather than grease.
- Moisturize: Red Bean Water Gel, a light, semi-matte gel cream.
- Protect: Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+, the lighter, fresher version of the famous Relief Sun. Keep the Matte Sun Stick in your bag for midday touch-ups and shine control.
Evening
- First cleanse: Ginseng Cleansing Oil. It may sound counter-intuitive, but cleansing oils are excellent for oily skin: they dissolve sunscreen and sebum, then rinse away completely.
- Second cleanse: Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser.
- Exfoliate (1–2 times a week): Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel to smooth texture and keep pores looking clear. Skip it on irritated skin.
- Hydrate: Ginseng Essence Water.
- Serum: Glow Serum, or the Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol on nights when your skin feels stressed or after exfoliating.
- Moisturize: Red Bean Water Gel.
Oily-skin tips
- Do not skip moisturizer: dehydrated oily skin can produce even more oil.
- If you have post-acne marks, add the Glow Deep Serum in the morning, followed by sunscreen.
- Persistent or painful acne deserves a visit to a doctor or dermatologist; skincare supports, but does not replace, treatment.
The Beauty of Joseon routine for dry skin
Morning
- Cleanse gently: many dry skin types only need a splash of lukewarm water in the morning. If you prefer a cleanser, use a small amount of Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser and rinse quickly.
- Hydrate: layer Ginseng Essence Water two or three times, pressing each layer in with your palms.
- Serum: Revive Serum: Ginseng + Snail Mucin for bounce and hydration. If dullness and dark spots bother you, choose Glow Deep Serum or the vitamin C Light On Serum instead.
- Moisturize: Dynasty Cream, the brand’s signature rice-and-ginseng cream with a cushiony, dewy finish.
- Protect: the original Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+, whose creamy texture is ideal for dry skin. Read our full Relief Sun review.
Evening
- First cleanse: Radiance Cleansing Balm. Its melting texture removes sunscreen and makeup while leaving skin soft.
- Second cleanse: a quick wash with Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser, or skip it if your skin feels tight.
- Exfoliate (once a week at most): Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel, very gently.
- Hydrate: Ginseng Essence Water.
- Serum: Revive Serum.
- Eye care: Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal, starting two or three nights a week. Retinal is a form of vitamin A, so use sunscreen every morning and avoid it during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Moisturize: a generous layer of Dynasty Cream.
Dry-skin tips
- Apply serums and cream on slightly damp skin to help lock in water.
- Lukewarm water is kinder than hot water, especially in winter.
- A humidifier in your bedroom can make a real difference during the heating season.
Quick comparison table
| Step | Oily skin | Dry skin |
|---|---|---|
| First cleanse (PM) | Ginseng Cleansing Oil | Radiance Cleansing Balm |
| Second cleanse | Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser | Green Plum (optional) |
| Toner/essence | Ginseng Essence Water | Ginseng Essence Water (layered) |
| Serum | Glow Serum | Revive Serum |
| Moisturizer | Red Bean Water Gel | Dynasty Cream |
| Sunscreen | Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh + Matte Sun Stick | Relief Sun (original) |
How to start without overwhelming your skin
You do not need to buy everything at once. A great starter routine is just three products: a gentle cleanser, the right moisturizer for your skin type and a daily sunscreen. Add a serum after two weeks, then an exfoliant or eye serum later. Introducing one new product at a time makes it easy to spot anything your skin does not like, and always patch test new products on the jawline for a few days.
Not sure which serum to choose? Read our guide Glow Serum vs Glow Deep Serum, or browse the whole Beauty of Joseon catalogue.
This site is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Beauty of Joseon brand. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This article is general information, not medical advice.