Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen Review : Is This Viral K-Beauty SPF Worth Your Morning Routine?

Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen has been all over skincare TikTok in the past year, often landing in someone’s “holy grail” lineup. The Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ — that pale mint tube with a cult following big enough to make Western sunscreen brands sweat — has become a global K-beauty export. But is it just another internet-fueled hype product, or does it actually deliver the kind of daily sun protection your dermatologist dreams about?

What Exactly Is the Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen?

First, the basics: Beauty of Joseon sunscreen is a Korean skincare brand inspired by traditional Hanbang (herbal medicine) formulas, blended with modern cosmetic science. Their Relief Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ is a chemical sunscreen (no zinc oxide here) designed to feel weightless on the skin while offering broad-spectrum protection.

Key details at a glance:

• Type: Chemical sunscreen
• SPF rating: SPF 50+ / PA++++
• Star ingredients: Rice extract, grain ferment filtrate, probiotics
• Texture: Lightweight cream-to-serum consistency
• White cast: None — even on deeper skin tones
• Skin compatibility: Non-comedogenic — won’t clog pores or trigger breakouts

The Ingredient Story: Rice, Probiotics, and Skin Calm

The standout here is rice extract, a classic Korean skincare staple known for its brightening and hydrating properties. Combined with fermented grains and probiotics, it aims to support a healthy skin barrier — a nice touch for those who get irritated by harsher sunscreens.

The filters themselves (including Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S) are modern, photostable options you don’t always see in U.S. formulas, thanks to stricter FDA filter approval rules. Translation: you’re getting next-gen protection without the chalky finish.

If you’re interested in reading more about the importance of probiotics for skin health, here’s a peer-reviewed article on the topic.

How It Actually Feels on Skin

Here’s where it surprised me: most sunscreens either feel heavy and oily, leave a plasticky film, or pill the second you layer makeup over them. This one? None of that.

The texture of Beauty of Joseon sunscreen is Goldilocks perfect — creamy enough to hydrate, yet light enough to disappear into the skin within seconds. It leaves a soft, hydrated finish that makes your skin look naturally healthy, not masked. And since it’s non-comedogenic, it doesn’t trigger congestion, making it one of the rare SPFs you can wear daily without fearing the dreaded “sunscreen breakout.”

Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen: Relief Sun vs. Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5: Which One Should You Choose?

While both sunscreens deliver SPF 50+ PA++++ protection with a skin-friendly formula, their textures and target users are a little different:

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics

• Best for: Normal to dry skin, or anyone who likes a slightly more nourishing finish.
• Texture: Cream-to-serum — hydrating but weightless.
• Why choose it: Works beautifully under makeup, adds a subtle glow, feels like a light moisturizer.

Beauty of Joseon Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5

• Best for: Normal to oily skin, sensitive skin, or hot/humid climates.
• Texture: Water-based gel-cream — refreshing, fast-absorbing, zero heaviness.
• Why choose it: Ideal for people who hate the feel of traditional SPF and want a “bare skin” finish.

Bottom line:
Pick Relief Sun if your skin leans drier or you want extra moisture in your SPF. Go for Aqua-Fresh if you prefer something ultra-light and refreshing — especially in summer.

Social Media vs. Reality

Beauty of Joseon sunscreen went viral for good reason: it’s accessible, photogenic, and plays well with every skin type under the sun (pun intended). That said, if you’re looking for heavy-duty water resistance for a beach day, this isn’t your pick — it’s more of an everyday commuter SPF than a sports sunscreen.

How to Use It for Best Results

• Apply as the last step of your morning skincare routine.
• Use two full finger lengths of product for proper coverage.
• Reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors (yes, even if it feels like a moisturizer).
• Pair with a makeup setting spray that includes SPF for quick touch-ups over foundation.

Where to Buy Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen

You can find the Relief Sun SPF at:

• StyleKorean, YesStyle, or Jolse (international shipping)
• Amazon (check seller authenticity)
• Select U.S. K-beauty boutiques like Soko Glam

Expect to pay around $14–18 USD for 50ml — surprisingly affordable for the quality.

Sunscreen

BEAUTY OF JOSEON
Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics
+GIFT

Shop at

STYLEKOREAN

Sunscreen

BEAUTY OF JOSEON
Relief Sun Aqua-fresh : Rice + B5

Shop at

STYLEKOREAN

Final Verdict

Pros:

• Lightweight, hydrating, zero white cast
• Non-comedogenic — safe for breakout-prone skin
• Skin-friendly formula with rice extract and probiotics
• Great for daily wear under makeup
• Affordable for a high-performance SPF

Cons:

• Not water-resistant
• Harder to find in brick-and-mortar U.S. stores

If your dream sunscreen is the kind you actually want to wear every day, Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun lives up to the hype. It’s not a “beach and sweat” formula — but for city life, office days, and your morning coffee run, it’s one of the most pleasant SPF experiences you’ll find in a tube.

And if you want to explore another approach to achieving radiant skin, you can check this review of Babor Skincare — a luxurious take on glow-boosting treatments