You know that thick, comforting jar of Beauty of Joseon you hoard like it’s liquid gold? Yeah, they redid the formula. No panic — but I side-eyed the packaging hard when I saw a new ingredient list.
This isn’t a tiny swap. They rearranged the whole base, and the texture feels different on contact. Here’s what changed and whether it’s still worth the cult status.
It’s still a $14ish K-beauty staple, but this isn’t the same viscous rice cream your skin memorized. The brand claims better absorption and a lighter finish for humid summer days.
Shea Butter Down
They cut the heavy shea load, so it’s less of a slug-lite mask now.
Squalane Boost
Squalane took over the top spot — that’s why it feels slicker going on.
Rice Extract Shift
The rice is still there, but it’s lower on the list. The glow source changed.
Photo: Mockup Free / Unsplash
The old version was a heavy, occlusive blanket. This one plays nicer with actives — it’s less likely to pill over your serums. The hero ingredients are still solid, but the ratio feels different.
- Rice extract: Brightens but sits lower — less immediate glow
- Squalane: Featherlight hydration that sinks in fast
- Niacinamide: Calms redness but might tingle if you’re sensitive
- Ceramides: Keeps the barrier repair promise intact
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
First pump: it’s bouncier, almost like a gel-cream hybrid. Absorbs in 15 seconds flat — no greasy film on my T-zone, which shocked me because the old one left a dewy sheen for an hour.
Week two: my skin feels bouncier, but the “glass skin” effect is subtle. It’s more of a primer-like finish than a sleeping pack now. If you loved that extra gloop, you’ll feel the difference.
Photo: Ela De Pure / Unsplash
My redness is down 30% and my pores look tighter. But it’s not the heavy-duty winter savior it used to be — I had to layer a facial oil over it on a freezing night.
Photo: Elsa Olofsson / Unsplash
It’s a better daytime moisturizer, a worse nighttime mask. I’m keeping it, but I’m also secretly hunting for old stock on the resale sites.