Beauty of Joseon Revive Firming Moisturizer: Ginseng + Retinol.

Retinoids

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About this product

A lightweight moisturizer with fermented retinol, amino acids, and ceramides, formulated to deliver hydration and claimed to firm skin.

Full ingredients

Water, Glycerin, 2,3-Butanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Jojoba Esters, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Allantoin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Retinol*, Tridecane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Guru Score

72%

Mixed

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

3Gurus

1Yay

2Mixed

0Nay

What they liked

Lightweight, absorbs quickly
Fragrance-free
Good value for the price

What they flagged

Not as hydrating as the ingredient list suggests
Difficult to apply in a thick layer

What the gurus are saying

The fermented retinol earns praise for being gentler than standard retinol while effective, and initial hydration plus softness are well documented. However, reviewers split on value: some find it delivers reliable hydration for the price and rate it highly; others say the retinol is too mild, hydration falls short, and it's not a repurchase. The brand's 20% firmness claim is overstated; expect hydration first, mild firming over time.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take August 2026

Best for

Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsLotion

Key actives

Retinoid Hyaluronic acidVitamin ECeramidesSqualane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Mad About Skin

729k subs

~Yay

"I do think [...] they should have added a caveat to that 20% claim, but [...] for the price, the ingredients, and the chance to try [...] fermented retinol, this is a brilliant addition to the skincare market. [...] I'm giving it [...] a solid eight out of ten, genuinely impressed, and I came into this as a skeptic."

All 2 takes from Mad About Skin

KOREAN SKINCARE YOU CAN ACTUALLY TRUST - Life After The ANUA Azelaic Acid Scam

"This is their latest product, and I haven't used it long enough to say whether it's going to become a holy grail of mine or not, but I'm really excited about it. It [...] contains fermented retinol, which also skirts around the retinol ban, [...] allowing for a higher percentage. [...] I'm using it as a neck lift treatment because my neck is too sensitive for a high strength retinoid, and I am seeing great results so far, definitely helping with some hyperpigmentation I have on the neck."

Breakthrough SKIN FIRMING CREAM - $10 Viral Moisturiser Just Levelled Up Anti Aging

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Mixed

"I just wasn't impressed with it. I didn't hate it, but I certainly won't repurchase it. It's twenty one dollars for [...] the full size two ounce. With a ten being a perfect score, I'd give this one a seven, which is still okay, and a lot of other people seem to love it."

All 4 takes from No BS Beauty

Beauty of Joseon New! Revive Firming Ginseng & Retinol Moisturizer First Impressions

"It feels really nice on my skin, [...] not greasy at all. I could definitely see this as a day cream if you had to use it under sunscreen because it feels really nice and silky on the skin and doesn't look oily or greasy or anything at all. It's not terribly expensive, I think it's about 21 bucks or so. [...] I like it. It's a good addition to their lineup. But if you're using it during the daytime, be sure to use sunscreen. [...] I would recommend using it at night as opposed to the daytime."

Is the Olive Young & Sephora Partnership a Good Thing for Consumers? What it Means for Prices

"Nice retinoid night cream. Nothing wrong with it. 24 bucks. Okay, that seems a little average."

New Sunscreen Filter Approval & Is Olive Young Coming to US a Good Thing?!

"The Beauty of Joseon Revive Firming Moisturizer is a newer moisturizer with retinol in it. It costs $24 at Sephora, $22 at YesStyle, $24 at Amazon, and $22 at Stylevana. Prices are not as competitive as they used to be."

Beauty of Joseon 🆕Revive Firming Retinol Moisturizer Review, How to Use, Dupes & Alternatives

Kelly Driscoll

90k subs

~Mixed

"If you're a beginner, sensitive skin, or [...] you're really looking for something less on the anti-aging side and more on the pores and acne kind of side of things, this seems to perform pretty well for that in my testing experience so far. [...] Definitely not the release I was hoping for from Beauty of Joseon, but I'm not mad at it either."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Urea

Urea both holds water in the skin and gently loosens dead surface cells. At higher strengths it has good evidence for very dry or thickened skin.

Source: DermNet

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Beauty of Joseon Revive Firming Moisturizer: Ginseng + Retinol?

A lightweight moisturizer with fermented retinol, amino acids, and ceramides, formulated to deliver hydration and claimed to firm skin.

Is Beauty of Joseon Revive Firming Moisturizer: Ginseng + Retinol worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 72%.

What is Beauty of Joseon Revive Firming Moisturizer: Ginseng + Retinol's Guru Score?

Beauty of Joseon Revive Firming Moisturizer: Ginseng + Retinol holds a Guru Score of 72%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.