Beauty of Joseon has built a reputation on reviving historical Korean beauty recipes — the kind of formulations that trace back to the Joseon dynasty, when ginseng, rice, and herbal extracts were the original luxury skincare. Their Relief Sun is already a permanent fixture on my shelf, so when I saw their Ginseng Cleansing Oil, I had to test it. The premise is compelling: a cleansing oil anchored by ginseng — one of Korea's most venerated botanicals — promising to dissolve the day's grime while delivering antioxidant benefits. After two weeks of daily use, here's what I found.
Brand Context: What Beauty of Joseon Stands For
Beauty of Joseon isn't just another K-beauty brand chasing trends. The name references Korea's Joseon dynasty (1392–1897), a period when royal court beauty rituals emphasized natural ingredients and preventive care. The brand's philosophy centers on historical Korean herbal medicine — ingredients like ginseng, rice bran, and green tea that have centuries of documented use in Korean skincare. Their formulations tend to be minimalist, fragrance-free, and focused on barrier support rather than aggressive actives. This cleansing oil fits that philosophy perfectly.
Ingredient Breakdown: What's Actually in This Oil
The formula is anchored by Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil as the primary base — a smart choice. Soybean oil is rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E, making it an effective solvent for lipid-based impurities while remaining gentle on the skin barrier. It's paired with Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, a synthetic emollient that improves spreadability and reduces the heavy, greasy feel that some cleansing oils leave behind.
The emulsification system uses Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate and Sorbitan Sesquioleate — both PEG-derived emulsifiers that allow the oil to turn milky when water is added, ensuring it rinses cleanly rather than leaving a film. This is critical. A cleansing oil that doesn't emulsify properly will leave residue that can clog pores, so the choice of emulsifiers matters.
Supporting oils include Olive Fruit Oil (rich in oleic acid and antioxidants), Sunflower Seed Oil (high in linoleic acid, lightweight), and Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil (anti-inflammatory, rich in behenic acid). The inclusion of Panax Ginseng Seed Oil and multiple ginseng extracts (root, berry, and additional root extract) signals the brand's commitment to the ginseng theme — though in a rinse-off product, the concentration of these actives is likely modest.
The antioxidant complex is where this formula earns points: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Turmeric Root Extract (curcumin), and ginseng root extract work together to neutralize free radicals generated during cleansing. Turmeric also provides skin-brightening and soothing benefits — a nice touch for a product that's primarily functional. The formula is alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and essential oil-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
Texture & Application Experience
The texture is a medium-weight oil — not as thin as the SKIN1004 Centella Light Cleansing Oil, but not as heavy as DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil. It has a slight viscosity that makes it easy to massage without feeling like you're dragging your skin. The color is a pale golden yellow, and there's no discernible scent — which I appreciate. Fragrance in cleansing oils is unnecessary and often irritating.
Application is straightforward: 2–3 pumps onto dry palms, massaged onto a dry face for 60–90 seconds. The oil glides smoothly and begins dissolving sunscreen, sebum, and makeup almost immediately. I tested it on a full face of waterproof Korean sunscreen (Beauty of Joseon's own Relief Sun, ironically), light foundation, and a swipe of mascara. The sunscreen broke down within 30 seconds. The foundation dissolved with gentle circular motions. The mascara required a bit more patience — about 45 seconds of focused massaging on the lash line — but it came off without tugging.
When I added lukewarm water, the emulsification was immediate and thorough. The oil turned into a milky white emulsion that rinsed away cleanly with no residue. My skin felt clean but not stripped — no tightness, no squeaky sensation, just a comfortable, balanced feel. This is where the soybean oil base and emulsifier system pay off: the oil does its job and then gets out of the way.
Two-Week Wear Test
Conditions tested: Daily evening use as Step 1 of double cleansing. Skin type: combination (oily T-zone, normal cheeks). Wore Korean SPF50 sunscreens daily, light makeup on most days, no heavy waterproof cosmetics except one day of full glam testing.
Week 1: The cleansing oil performed consistently. It dissolved sunscreen and light makeup without issue. My skin didn't feel irritated or overly dry after cleansing — in fact, it felt slightly conditioned, likely from the soybean and olive oil base. No new breakouts, no clogged pores. The emulsification was reliable every time, and I never had to worry about oily residue left behind.
Week 2: Continued performance held steady. I noticed that on days when I wore heavier makeup (full coverage foundation, concealer, powder), the cleansing oil handled it well but I did need to spend closer to 90 seconds of massaging to ensure everything dissolved. On one particularly humid day, I tested it as a single cleanse (skipping the second water-based cleanser) to see if it could stand alone. It did — my skin felt clean and balanced, though I'd still recommend the double cleanse for optimal results if you wear heavy makeup or water-resistant sunscreen daily.
Overall impression: This is a reliable, well-formulated cleansing oil that does exactly what it's supposed to do. It's not revolutionary, but it's consistent, gentle, and effective. The ginseng and antioxidant complex is a nice bonus, though I wouldn't expect dramatic anti-aging or brightening results from a rinse-off product — the contact time is too short for significant active penetration.
Pros
- Effective cleansing: Dissolves sunscreen, sebum, and light makeup thoroughly
- Clean emulsification: Rinses away completely with no greasy residue
- Gentle formula: No alcohol, fragrance, or essential oils — suitable for sensitive skin
- Antioxidant support: Ginseng, turmeric, and vitamin E provide free radical protection during cleansing
- Comfortable texture: Medium-weight oil that spreads easily without dragging
- Good value: 200mL bottle lasts 3–4 months with daily use
- No breakouts: Non-comedogenic base oils that don't clog pores
Cons
- Not the lightest texture: Those who prefer ultra-thin cleansing oils may find this slightly heavy
- Heavy makeup requires extra time: Full glam or waterproof cosmetics need 90+ seconds of massaging
- Ginseng concentration unclear: Multiple ginseng extracts are listed, but in a rinse-off product, their benefits are likely minimal
- Pump dispenser: Can dispense slightly more product than needed if you're not careful
- No travel size: 200mL is great for home use but inconvenient for travel
Who Is This For?
This cleansing oil is ideal for normal, combination, and dry skin types who want a gentle yet effective first cleanse. It's also suitable for sensitive skin thanks to the fragrance-free, alcohol-free formula. If you wear daily sunscreen and light makeup, this will handle your needs without issue. Those with very oily or acne-prone skin may prefer a lighter option like the SKIN1004 Centella Light Cleansing Oil, though this formula didn't cause breakouts in my testing.
If you're looking for a cleansing oil that doubles as a treatment product with significant active benefits, this isn't it — the ginseng and antioxidants are nice, but rinse-off products have limited contact time for actives to work. This is a functional cleanser with bonus ingredients, not a treatment step.
Price & Where to Buy
The Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil retails for approximately $14–$18 USD for 200mL, depending on the retailer. It's widely available through YesStyle, StyleKorean, Olive Young Global, and Amazon. At this price point, it's competitively priced against other K-beauty cleansing oils and offers good value given the bottle size and daily-use longevity.
Comparison Notes
Against SKIN1004 Centella Light Cleansing Oil: The SKIN1004 is lighter in texture and emulsifies slightly faster, making it a better choice for oily skin or those who prefer a more watery oil. However, the Beauty of Joseon formula has a richer antioxidant complex and feels more conditioning on dry skin.
Against DHC Deep Cleansing Oil: DHC is a Japanese classic with an olive oil base, but it contains fragrance and has a heavier, more viscous texture. The Beauty of Joseon option is fragrance-free and rinses more cleanly, making it the better choice for sensitive skin.
Against Banila Co Clean It Oil: Banila Co is another popular K-beauty cleansing oil with a similar price point. The Banila Co formula is slightly lighter and contains papaya extract for enzyme-based exfoliation, but it includes essential oils that can irritate sensitive skin. The Beauty of Joseon option is the safer bet for reactive skin types.
Final Verdict
The Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil is a solid, reliable first cleanse that does what it promises: it dissolves the day's impurities, emulsifies cleanly, and leaves skin feeling balanced rather than stripped. The ginseng and antioxidant complex is a thoughtful addition, even if the rinse-off format limits their impact. At $14–$18 for 200mL, it's a good value for daily use, and the fragrance-free formula makes it suitable for sensitive skin.
This isn't a game-changing product — it won't revolutionize your skincare routine or deliver dramatic results on its own. But it's a well-formulated, consistent performer that handles the fundamentals of cleansing oil perfectly. If you're looking for a gentle, effective first cleanse with a touch of historical Korean botanical heritage, this is worth trying. It won't disappoint.