2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Beauty of Joseon
Ginseng Essence Water
face neck essence
Beauty of Joseon
face neck essence
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
See how this fits your skin
Take the skin test and I'll show you how suitable this product is for you.
Take the skin testThe Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water is a nourishing essence enriched with Hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) ingredients for smoother and revitalized skin. The essence contains 80% of Ginseng root water. The complex consists of Ginseng root water, Ginseng callus culture extract, Ginseng root extract, Ginseng berry extract, Lactobacillus/Ginseng root ferment filtrate. The star ingredient, Ginseng is effective in preventing pigmentation and wrinkles caused by UV rays. It is known to promote hydration (moisturization effect) of the skin. It helps to protect the skin from external stimuli by retaining moisture deep in the skin for a long time.
Ginseng Essence Water is a watery-light essence from Beauty of Joseon, a brand based in Korea. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 24 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Butylene Glycol, Glycerin and Propanediol, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol and Panthenol.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Panthenol, Allantoin, Niacinamide and Glyceryl Glucoside.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide and Panthenol.
Oil control: Moderate. Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine, and here that comes from Niacinamide and Dextrin.
On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, cell renewal and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after cleansing, before serums. Apply to slightly damp skin so the humectants have water to hold on to.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ethanone, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-,p-Hydroxyacetophenone
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
alpha-D-Glucopyranoside, 2-Hydroxy-1-(Hydroxymethyl)ethyl
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Dextrin
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
This product is the "Toning" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 24 ingredients on the label.
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Forms a film that slows water loss
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
Dissolves and carries everything else
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Calms visible redness and irritation
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Panax Ginseng Root Water is the aqueous component from a steam distillation of the roots of the Ginseng, Panax ginseng, Araliaceae
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ethanone, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-,p-Hydroxyacetophenone
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
alpha-D-Glucopyranoside, 2-Hydroxy-1-(Hydroxymethyl)ethyl
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract is the extract of the callus cells of Panax ginseng, Araliaceae
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Theobroma Cacao Extract is the extract of Theobroma cacao., Sterculiaceae
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Dextrin
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Glucose
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Panax Ginseng Root Extract is an extract of the roots of the Ginseng, Panax ginseng, Araliaceae
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract is the extract of the berries of the Ginseng, Panax ginseng, Araliaceae
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sphingomonas/Panax Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate is a filtrate of the product obtained by the fermentation of the roots of Panax ginseng by the microorganism, Sphingomonas.
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Huxley
Shares 10 key ingredients with Ginseng Essence Water: Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Bonajour
Shares 9 key ingredients with Ginseng Essence Water: Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide
NEOGEN
Shares 9 key ingredients with Ginseng Essence Water: Glycerin, Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Adenosine
Dr. Althea
Shares 8 key ingredients with Ginseng Essence Water: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate
HYGGEE
Shares 8 key ingredients with Ginseng Essence Water: Glycerin, Niacinamide, Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol
JUMISO
Shares 8 key ingredients with Ginseng Essence Water: Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Glucoside
PANAX GINSENG ROOT WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, NIACINAMIDE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, WATER, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE, GLYCERYL GLUCOSIDE, XANTHAN GUM, PANTHENOL, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, ALLANTOIN, ADENOSINE, PANAX GINSENG CALLUS CULTURE EXTRACT, THEOBROMA CACAO EXTRACT, DEXTRIN, GLUCOSE, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG BERRY EXTRACT, SPHINGOMONAS/PANAX GINSENG ROOT FERMENT FILTRATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA.
NIACINAMIDE, PANTHENOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE.
After cleansing your face, take an appropriate amount of the Ginseng Essence Water. Gently pat the essence water onto your face and neck, using your fingertips or a cotton pad. Allow the essence water to fully absorb into your skin before proceeding with the rest of your skincare routine.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
Use it morning and evening, after cleansing, before serums.
It lists 24 ingredients, of which 3 are recorded as actives.
Beauty of Joseon, a brand based in Korea.
We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Attempting to reconnect