Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm Review

BeautyBrief™

Brand

Beauty of Joseon

Product

Radiance Cleansing Balm

Claims check

You get a coherent emollient-and-emulsifier first-cleanse system for makeup and sunscreen removal plus current 51-subject non-irritation testing; the rice and grain extracts remain secondary in this rinse-off format.

Shopper fit

  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Combination
  • Sensitive

Formula flags

  • None identified

Shopper preferences

  • None Found

Key ingredients

Cetyl EthylhexanoateForms part of the emollient base that helps dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and oily residue.
PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearateHelps the oil-rich balm emulsify with water so dissolved residue can rinse away cleanly.
Rice Bran OilAdds emollient support to the cleansing base and contributes to a softer after-feel.
GlycerinAdds humectant support, although it is secondary to the cleansing system in this rinse-off format.

Price tier

$ Budget

Value check

At the Budget tier, you are paying for a fragrance-free balm with a clear first-cleanse job, eye-area use, and current non-irritation testing; the value depends on whether double cleansing serves a real need in your routine.

Where to buy

We may earn a commission through these links at no additional cost to you. This does not affect our BeautyBrief.

Bottom line

If you regularly remove sunscreen or makeup and prefer a solid balm, this gives you strong Budget value. If you rarely need a separate first cleanse, keep the routine simpler.

What is Shopper Fit?

Shopper Fit shows who The Beauty Briefing finds the product is reasonably suited for after reviewing the complete formula or product design, product format, expected performance, directions, tolerability, usability, and available evidence.

Depending on the product category, Shopper Fit may reflect factors such as skin type, hair or scalp characteristics, product needs, routine compatibility, sensitivity, experience level, or practical use considerations.

Shopper Fit is BB's editorial product-fit assessment, not a copy of the brand's marketing. It is not a diagnosis, a guarantee of results or tolerance, or a claim that the product is suitable for everyone.

What are Shopper Preferences?

Shopper Preferences are product attributes The Beauty Briefing has enough evidence to treat as established for the exact product. A brand statement, badge, or retailer claim alone is not enough.

Vegan
BB found sufficient documentation to verify the vegan claim within the documented product scope.
Cruelty-Free
BB found sufficient documentation to verify the cruelty-free claim within the scope of the evidence reviewed.
Non-Comedogenic
BB found sufficient product-specific evidence or documentation to support the non-comedogenic claim. A brand claim by itself does not qualify.
Dermatologist-Tested
BB verified documentation showing the exact product was tested with dermatologist involvement. This does not mean dermatologist-recommended.
Ophthalmologist-Tested
BB verified documentation showing the exact product was tested with ophthalmologist involvement.
Hypoallergenic
BB found sufficient product-specific evidence or documentation to support the hypoallergenic claim. It does not guarantee that no shopper will react.
None Found
BB did not find sufficient evidence to verify any of the controlled Shopper Preferences for the exact product.

Brand marketing tells BB what to investigate. BeautyBrief tells the shopper what BB has established.

What are Formula Flags?

Formula Flags identify characteristics of a product's formula that materially affect shopper fit, tolerability, routine compatibility, or use. A flag does not mean an ingredient is bad or that the product is unsafe. It highlights something worth knowing before you buy.

Fragrance
Added fragrance or parfum that materially affects shopper fit or tolerability.
Essential oils
Essential oils that are relevant to fragrance exposure, sensitivity, or use.
Drying alcohols
Volatile alcohols at a level that materially affects feel, dryness, or tolerability.
Retinoids
Retinoid actives that affect routine compatibility, tolerability, or use.
Exfoliating acids
Exfoliating acids such as AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs at a functionally relevant level.
Comedogenic concerns
Formula characteristics that warrant additional consideration for breakout-prone shoppers.
Sulfates
Sulfate cleansing agents that materially affect cleansing strength, skin or hair feel, or shopper fit.
Silicones
Silicones that materially affect texture, finish, or shopper fit.
Added color
Added colorants that materially affect the finished formula or shopper use.
Other
Another formula characteristic materially affects shopper fit or use.
None identified
No defined Formula Flags materially affect shopper fit or use.

Formula Flags are informational. They are not a list of ingredients everyone should avoid.

If you regularly wear sunscreen or makeup and want a solid first cleanser, Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm gives you a Budget balm built around emollients and dedicated rinse-off emulsifiers. The formula is designed to dissolve oil-soluble residue first, then turn milky with water so it can rinse away more cleanly.

The value is clearest if a first cleanse genuinely earns a place in your routine. If you rarely wear makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, a separate balm may be an unnecessary extra step.

Beauty Briefing Verdict 2026 09 20T174314.597

What it claims

Beauty of Joseon says Radiance Cleansing Balm melts waterproof makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and impurities while leaving skin soft and hydrated. The current page also describes it as gentle on the eye area, fragrance-free, and clinically proven non-irritating in a 24-hour patch test involving 51 subjects.[1]

Claims vs. formula

Cetyl ethylhexanoate and caprylic/capric triglyceride form the main emollient cleansing base that helps dissolve makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and other oil-soluble residue.

PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate and PEG-10 isostearate give the balm its emulsifying step so loosened residue can disperse when water is added.

Glycerin, propanediol, rice bran oil, and sea-buckthorn oil add supporting moisture and emollient value, but the rice and grain extracts remain secondary in this rinse-off format.

The 51-subject non-irritation test adds useful tolerability context without making the balm a treatment product.

Ingredients that matter

Cetyl ethylhexanoate: Helps dissolve makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and other oil-soluble residue.

PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate: Helps the oil-rich balm emulsify with water and rinse away more cleanly.

Rice bran oil: Adds emollient support to the cleansing base.

Glycerin: Adds supporting humectant value in the rinse-off formula.

Close-up of glycerin dropper and test tube with glycerin.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a well-supported humectant that helps skin hold water and improve dryness. It is common and effective, so the complete formula matters more than a high percentage.

Read the IngredientBrief

What to expect in the short term

You get a solid balm that melts over dry skin, loosens long-wear sunscreen and makeup, then turns milky with water before rinsing.

What to expect over time

The repeat-use value is consistent removal rather than cumulative treatment. Beauty of Joseon specifically directs you to follow with a water-based cleanser.

Who it fits

This makes the most sense if your skin is dry, normal, combination, oily, or sensitive and you want a fragrance-free first cleanse for sunscreen or makeup.

Compare before you buy

Choose the balm when you prefer a solid first-cleanse texture and regularly remove makeup or sunscreen.

Choose a cleansing oil for the same general job with a more fluid texture, or skip the separate first cleanse when your routine does not need it.

Final assessment

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm gives you straightforward Budget value as a fragrance-free first cleanser with a coherent makeup-and-sunscreen removal system and current non-irritation testing. Its strongest fit is a routine that genuinely benefits from double cleansing rather than one that adds the step by default.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Sources

  1. Beauty of Joseon. Radiance Cleansing Balm. Current official U.S.-facing product page. Accessed October 2, 2026.

    Source for current $19 price, 100 mL size, sold-out status, makeup/sunscreen/sebum removal claims, eye-area guidance, fragrance-free positioning, current formula, double-cleansing directions, and the 51-subject non-irritation patch test.

    Return to citation.

  2. PETA. Beauty of Joseon current company listing. Reviewed October 2, 2026.

    Source for the current cruelty-free substantiation conflict; the controlled Cruelty-Free preference remains excluded.

More from Beauty of Joseon