Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is a Korean chemical sunscreen built around rice extract and probiotics. It carries SPF50+ PA++++ protection, and it has become one of the most talked-about sun care launches from Korea in recent years.
Its lightweight gel texture melts into skin fast. It skips white cast, a common complaint about many sunscreens. Reviewers praise the moisture without grease, the fragrance-free formula, and the low price. Some testers still notice a faint sheen or a slight cast on darker tones.
This review breaks down what is actually inside the tube, how it performs on different skin types, and whether the hype holds up. By the end, readers will know exactly who this sunscreen fits best.
What Is Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is a rice and probiotic sunscreen from the Korean hanbang brand Beauty of Joseon. Hanbang refers to traditional Korean herbal medicine, and the brand builds its skincare line around that heritage philosophy.
The brand launched in the mid-2010s and built its identity on ingredients tied to the Joseon dynasty era. Rice bran water, called Beauty Water, was once used the way toner is used today. Beauty of Joseon revived that idea in modern formulas.
Relief Sun sits at the center of the brand's catalog. It went viral on TikTok and Reddit, and beauty editors now treat it as a benchmark budget sunscreen from the K-beauty category.
Who Makes Beauty of Joseon?
Beauty of Joseon operates as a Korean skincare company built entirely around hanbang, or traditional herbal medicine, principles. The brand pairs old ingredients with modern lab testing.
The company avoids flashy branding. Its packaging stays simple, and its formulas lean on rice, ginseng, and fermented extracts instead of trend ingredients. This approach built trust among skincare enthusiasts looking for substance over marketing.
How Does Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Work?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun protects skin using four chemical UV filters that absorb and convert UV rays into heat. This chemical approach avoids the thick, pasty finish common with mineral sunscreens.
The filters include Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, and Iscotrizinol. Together they created SPF ratings of 52.5 and 63.1 in two separate lab tests, one in South Korea and one in Spain. Both labs verified figures well above the labeled SPF50.
Rice extract and probiotic ferments support the barrier while the filters do the UV work. This combination gives the formula its signature soft, moisturizing finish without heaviness.
What Ingredients Are In Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun contains 30 percent rice extract as its headline ingredient, alongside niacinamide, probiotic ferments, green tea extract, and ginseng root extract.
Key Ingredients:
- Oryza Sativa Rice Extract (30%) for moisture and antioxidant support
- Niacinamide for barrier repair and tone evening
- Probiotic ferments including Lactobacillus and Bacillus extracts
- Camellia Sinensis (green tea) extract for antioxidant defense
- Panax Ginseng root extract for anti-aging support
The formula skips alcohol, synthetic fragrance, and essential oils. This makes it a common pick for reactive or sensitive skin types that flare up around common irritants.
What Are the Benefits of Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun delivers lightweight hydration, broad-spectrum protection, and a no-white-cast finish in one tube. Testers across multiple independent reviews confirm this combination consistently.
The gel-cream texture absorbs fast without pilling under makeup. It layers cleanly over moisturizer or serum, and it washes off with a standard cleanser, no double cleanse required.
Reviewers with combination and oily skin report it works well in cooler months and indoor settings. Dry skin types note it feels nourishing but not deeply hydrating on its own.
Does Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Prevent White Cast?
Yes. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun avoids the chalky white cast common with mineral sunscreens because it relies entirely on chemical filters. Most testers report no visible cast on light to medium tones.
Tinosorb M, one of the four filters, can create a faint hybrid dispersion effect on some skin tones. A small number of reviewers with deeper skin noted a slight cast that faded once the formula fully set.
Does Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Work For Sensitive Skin?
Yes. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun suits sensitive skin because it excludes alcohol, synthetic fragrance, and essential oils. Niacinamide and probiotics in the formula actively calm redness and irritation.
One dermatology-trained reviewer applied it after a chemical peel and reported a calming, non-stinging effect. Multiple other testers confirmed no breakouts or eye stinging during regular use.
What Do Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Reviews Say?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun reviews consistently praise the lightweight texture, fair price, and lack of white cast across beauty blogs and forums like Reddit.
The sunscreen holds a strong reputation among K-beauty enthusiasts. It regularly appears on best-sunscreen roundups, and beauty editors cite it as a reliable entry point into Korean sun care.
Positive Experiences
What Reviewers Like:
- Lightweight, moisturizer-like texture that layers well under makeup
- No white cast on light to medium skin tones
- Affordable price relative to Western sunscreens
- Fragrance-free, alcohol-free formula suited to sensitive skin
- Verified SPF ratings from two independent labs
Common Complaints
What Reviewers Dislike:
- Not hydrating enough for very dry skin without a moisturizer underneath
- Slight shine or dewy finish that oily skin types may need to powder
- A faint white cast reported by some deeper skin tones
- Matte finish that dulls glow for users chasing a radiant look
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun vs Other Korean Sunscreens?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun competes directly with Purito Comfy Water Sun Block and COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream in the budget K-beauty sunscreen category.
Sunscreen Comparison:
| Sunscreen | Price (50ml) | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun | $14-$21 | Lightweight, low-dew |
| Purito Comfy Water Sun Block | $16-$18 | Watery, matte |
| COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream | $15-$17 | Gel, soothing |
| Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Sun Gel | $17-$19 | Dewy, hydrating |
Purito rebuilt its reputation after a 2020 SPF controversy that shook trust across the entire K-beauty sunscreen category. Beauty of Joseon responded by publishing independent lab verification, a move that set it apart from many competitors.
What Are the Side Effects of Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun carries a low risk of side effects because its formula excludes common irritants like alcohol and fragrance. Most reviewers report zero breakouts or stinging.
Chemical filters absorb into the skin and convert UV rays into heat. This process can trigger warmth or redness in users with reactive skin, though documented reports of this remain rare in reviews.
Who Should Avoid Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun?
Users allergic to any of the four chemical filters, Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, or Iscotrizinol, should avoid this formula. Mineral-only sunscreens fit that group better.
Very dry skin types may also want a separate moisturizer underneath. The formula hydrates lightly, but it does not replace a dedicated moisturizing step for dehydrated skin.
Is Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Legit and SPF-Verified?
Yes. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun holds SPF verification from two independent labs, one in South Korea and one in Spain, with results of 52.5 and 63.1 respectively.
This step matters because the 2020 Purito scandal raised doubts about SPF claims across Korean sunscreens generally. Beauty of Joseon published lab data directly on its site to rebuild consumer confidence in the category.
The brand reformulated Relief Sun in 2021, moving from two chemical filters to four. This update followed the same scrutiny that reshaped the entire Korean sunscreen market after 2020.
How Much Does Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Cost?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun costs between $10 and $21 for a 50ml tube, depending on the retailer and any active promotions.
That price range positions it well below premium Japanese sunscreens like Shiseido Anessa, which often costs two to three times as much for a similar volume.
Is Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Worth the Price?
Yes. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun delivers verified SPF50+ protection, a sensitive-skin-friendly formula, and a lightweight texture, all for less than $20. Reviewers across multiple sites call it excellent value.
The main trade-off is finish preference. Users chasing a dewy glow may prefer a pricier alternative, but the core protection and formula quality match sunscreens costing far more.
Where Can You Buy Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is sold through YesStyle, Stylevana, Jolse, iHerb, and the brand's own official site. Availability varies by region.
Where to Shop:
- Official Beauty of Joseon website for guaranteed authenticity
- YesStyle and Stylevana for wide international shipping
- iHerb for fast US-based delivery
- Jolse and Stylekorean for K-beauty specific bundles
Counterfeit listings show up occasionally on third-party marketplaces. Buying through the official brand site or an authorized retailer avoids that risk entirely.
Why Should You Trust Optimal Weight Plan's Skincare Picks?
Look, sunscreen matters just as much as diet and exercise when it comes to real, lasting skin health. That is why our team at Optimal Weight Plan tests and researches every product we recommend before it ever reaches this page.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun earns its spot because it is affordable, dermatologist-reasonable, and backed by real independent lab verification. Not every viral product holds up under scrutiny. This one does.
So what does that mean for you? If you want a lightweight, well-verified sunscreen that will not break the bank, this is a smart place to start. Our experts at Optimal Weight Plan stand behind it as one of the better budget picks in Korean sun care today.
