Every skincare girlie on TikTok owns this sunscreen. Your “For You” page has shown it to you at least 47 times. The pale mint tube, the “rice + probiotics” label, the under-$16 price tag that makes your Supergoop-loving friends do a double take. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ has been the korean sunscreen recommendation for what feels like forever now.
So I did what any reasonable person would do: I committed to wearing it every single day for 30 days. Through Texas humidity, office AC, a weekend trip to Galveston, three different foundations, and one very sweaty hot yoga session I probably should’ve worn a sport SPF to (lesson learned).
Not all my thoughts are glowing. Some of them are downright annoyed. Let’s get into it.
Quick Facts: What You’re Working With
Before I get into my month-long saga, here’s the basics on Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun:
- Type: Chemical sunscreen (no mineral filters)
- SPF: 50+ / PA++++ (that’s the highest PA rating, btw)
- Key filters: Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S — modern, photostable, not available in most US sunscreens
- Star ingredients: Rice extract, grain ferment filtrate, probiotics
- Texture: Creamy but lightweight, almost serum-like
- White cast: Zero. None. Nada. Tested on multiple skin tones — nothing.
- Size: 50ml (we’ll talk about why this is a problem later)
- Price: $10–16 depending on where you buy
The reason this blew up? It’s a solid formula at a price point that doesn’t make you cry. Also it photographs really well, which, let’s be real, matters on TikTok.
My 30-Day Test: Week by Week
Here’s the thing — most sunscreen reviews are “I put it on, it felt nice, 10/10.” Cool. But sunscreen is something you wear EVERY day. How does it hold up when you’re not filming a first-impressions video? That’s what I wanted to find out.
Week 1: The Honeymoon Phase
Days 1–3: First impressions were chef’s kiss. The texture is this perfect middle ground — not watery, not thick, just… right. It sinks in within maybe 20 seconds and leaves this slightly dewy finish that honestly looks like you have good skin. No fragrance (huge for me — scented sunscreens give me a headache). Applied it after my CeraVe moisturizer and it layered like a dream.
Days 4–7: Tried it under three different foundations — Maybelline Fit Me, Rare Beauty liquid, and my L’Oreal Infallible. It played nice with all of them. Zero pilling, no weird separation. My Rare Beauty combo was the best — it basically acted like a primer. I was feeling very smug about my $14 sunscreen at this point.
Week 2: Reality Check
Days 8–10: Took it to the office (read: sat in fluorescent lighting and AC for 9 hours). Fine. Great, even. My skin looked hydrated all day instead of that weird matte-dead thing some SPFs do.
Days 11–14: Here’s where things shifted. We had a string of 85°F days (Texas in almost-spring, y’all know how it is) and I was walking to lunch, running errands after work. By 2 PM? My T-zone was SHINY. Not dewy. Not glowy. Shiny. Like, I-can-see-my-reflection-in-my-forehead shiny.
I blotted with a tissue and it helped, but the shine came back within an hour. If you have oily skin and live somewhere humid, file this under “things to know.”
Week 3: The Layering Experiments
Days 15–18: I started testing it over different serums. Over my hyaluronic acid serum — perfect. Over niacinamide — also fine. Over the VT Reedle Shot — also smooth, no issues there either. Over my vitamin C serum (a thicker one from Drunk Elephant)?
Pilling. So much pilling. Little white balls rolling off my face like I was an eraser. I tried patting instead of rubbing. I tried waiting 5 minutes between layers. The pilling happened every. single. time. with that specific serum.
Days 19–21: Tested reapplication over makeup. And… it’s messy. You can’t just slap more sunscreen over foundation and expect it to look cute. My under-eyes looked patchy and my blush migrated to my chin somehow.
Week 4: The Final Verdict Forms
Days 22–25: I’d settled into a groove. Morning routine: cleanser, moisturizer, Beauty of Joseon, wait 2 minutes, makeup. It was… easy. Comfortable. I stopped thinking about my sunscreen, which is honestly the best compliment I can give a daily SPF.
Days 26–28: I ran out. THIRTY DAYS and I went through the entire 50ml tube. Actually, I ran out around day 26 if I’m being exact. 50ml is tiny when you’re using the proper amount (two finger-lengths) every day. That “affordable” price tag starts looking different when you’re buying a new tube every month.
Days 29–30: Cracked open tube #2 and finished my test. My skin overall? Honestly, it looked good. No breakouts from the sunscreen — zero, which is rare for me. My skin tone looked a bit more even, which I’m attributing to the rice extract doing its brightening thing over time.
Ingredients: What’s Actually in This Tube
The UV filters: Uvinul A Plus (great UVA protection) and Tinosorb S (broad-spectrum, photostable). These are newer-generation chemical filters that the FDA still hasn’t approved for US sunscreens because… bureaucracy. It’s why a lot of skincare people swear by Asian and European SPFs — the filter technology is just better.
The skin-care stuff: Rice extract has been a Korean skincare staple forever — it’s brightening, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory. The grain ferment filtrate and probiotics are there for barrier support.
What’s NOT in it: No fragrance, no alcohol, no essential oils, no mineral filters. If you specifically need a mineral sunscreen (some people with rosacea or super reactive skin prefer them), this isn’t it.
Relief Sun vs. Aqua Fresh: Which One Do You Actually Want?
Beauty of Joseon makes two sunscreens, and the internet is weirdly bad at explaining the difference. Let me make it simple:
| Feature | Relief Sun (Rice + Probiotics) | Aqua Fresh (Rice + B5) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Normal, dry, combo skin | Oily, combo, humid climates |
| Texture | Creamy, slightly dewy | Watery gel, matte-ish |
| Finish | Glowy, moisturized | Fresh, “bare skin” feel |
| Under makeup | Excellent — acts like primer | Good, but less grip |
| Hydration | More hydrating | Lighter, less moisture |
| Oil control | Average | Better |
| SPF/PA | 50+ / PA++++ | 50+ / PA++++ |
| Price | ~$14 | ~$14 |
My take: If you have oily skin, skip Relief Sun and go straight for Aqua Fresh. I learned this the hard way during week 2’s shine situation. Relief Sun is beautiful on my normal-to-sometimes-dry skin, but if you’re oily? Aqua Fresh is your girl.
Beauty of Joseon vs. Supergoop vs. Canmake: The Comparison
| Feature | Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun | Supergoop Unseen | Canmake Mermaid Skin |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPF/PA | 50+ / PA++++ | SPF 40 | 50+ / PA++++ |
| Texture | Creamy, dewy | Clear gel, velvety | Watery, light |
| White cast | None | None | None |
| Under makeup | Great | Excellent (primer-like) | Good |
| Oil control | Average | Good | Average |
| Finish | Dewy/glowy | Matte, invisible | Slightly dewy |
| Size | 50ml | 50ml / 75ml | 40g |
| Price | ~$14 | ~$38 (50ml) | ~$10 |
| Fragrance | None | None | Slight |
| Water resistant | No | No | No |
Supergoop Unseen is still my favorite feeling sunscreen. That velvety finish is unmatched. But it’s SPF 40 vs. 50+, and it costs literally 2.5x more. For daily office life? I can’t justify the price difference.
Canmake Mermaid Skin is the budget queen — even cheaper than BoJ. But the texture is almost too watery for me. Solid pick if you want the absolute lightest feel.
Beauty of Joseon hits the sweet spot of price, protection level, and skin-feel. The Toyota Camry of sunscreens. Reliable, no complaints, gets the job done.
What I Didn’t Love (The Stuff Nobody on TikTok Mentions)
Here’s where I keep it real, because y’all deserve better than another “OMG perfect sunscreen!!” post.
- It is NOT water resistant. I wore it to a pool day and it was basically gone after one dip. This is an everyday commuter SPF, not a beach sunscreen.
- The 2 PM shine is real. On humid days, my forehead and nose were noticeably oily by mid-afternoon. Setting powder helps, but it doesn’t fully solve it.
- It pills over certain serums. Anything silicone-heavy underneath = tiny white balls on your face. Not cute.
- 50ml goes FAST. If you’re using the correct amount daily, one tube lasts about 25–30 days. That’s $14/month on sunscreen alone.
- Chemical filters aren’t for everyone. Some people are sensitive to chemical UV filters. Patch test first if you’ve had issues before.
- Reapplication over makeup is a disaster. But honestly, name a sunscreen where it isn’t.
Under Makeup: The Hour-by-Hour Breakdown
Since “beauty of joseon sunscreen under makeup” is something a lot of y’all are searching for — here’s exactly what happened with my go-to combo (BoJ + Rare Beauty foundation + Elf Power Grip primer):
- Hour 1: Flawless. Skin looks healthy, makeup sits perfectly, slight glow.
- Hour 4: Still looking good. Tiny bit of shine on my nose but nothing dramatic. Foundation hasn’t budged.
- Hour 8: T-zone is definitely shiny. Foundation has faded slightly around my nose and chin (normal wear). Overall? Totally acceptable for a workday.
Skip the primer if you want — BoJ works as a light primer on its own. But if you want extra longevity, a gripping primer like Elf Power Grip on top of it is the combo.
Who Should Buy This (And Who Should Skip It)
Buy it if you:
- Want a daily sunscreen that feels like skincare
- Have normal, dry, or combo skin
- Hate white cast (it literally doesn’t exist here)
- Want high protection without the high price
- Love the K-beauty approach to sun care
- Need something that works well under makeup
Skip it if you:
- Have very oily skin (try Aqua Fresh instead, or Canmake)
- Need water resistance for outdoor activities
- Are sensitive to chemical UV filters
- Want a matte finish (Supergoop Unseen is better for that)
- Hate ordering skincare online (it’s hard to find in US stores)
Where to Buy + Prices in 2026
| Retailer | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $10–16 | Fastest shipping, check seller ratings — counterfeits exist |
| Olive Young Global | ~$13 | Official retailer, ships from Korea |
| Stylevana | ~$12 | Great sales, slower shipping (2–3 weeks) |
| YesStyle | ~$14 | Reliable, occasional coupons |
| Soko Glam | ~$16 | US-based, picks authentic K-beauty |
⚠️ Counterfeit warning: This sunscreen is so popular that fakes exist on Amazon. Buy from sellers with high ratings, check the packaging for the holographic seal, and if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. I stick to Amazon sellers with 1,000+ reviews or order directly from Olive Young.
So… Is It Worth the Hype?
After 30 days, two tubes, one pilling incident that made me late to brunch, and a very shiny forehead in week 2 — yeah. It mostly is.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun isn’t perfect. It’s not water resistant, it won’t control oil on a humid day, and you’ll burn through a tube faster than you’d expect. But for what most of us actually need — a sunscreen we’ll want to put on every morning, that feels good, looks good, plays nice with makeup, and doesn’t cost $38? It delivers.
It’s the best korean sunscreen in the under-$15 range for normal to dry skin, full stop. If you’re oily, grab the Aqua Fresh version. If you need sports-level protection, look elsewhere. But for your 7 AM moisturizer-sunscreen-makeup routine? This is it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Relief Sun version runs a bit dewy for oily skin — you’ll probably get shiny by afternoon. The Aqua Fresh version is way better for oily and combo skin types. That one has a lighter, more matte finish.
Nope, zero white cast. I’ve tested it on multiple skin tones and it disappears completely. It’s a chemical sunscreen, so there’s no zinc or titanium dioxide to leave that chalky look.
No, and this is important — it’s an everyday SPF, not a beach or sports sunscreen. If you’re swimming or doing heavy outdoor activity, you need something water resistant.
Supergoop has a more matte, velvety finish and feels invisible. But it’s SPF 40 vs. 50+, costs almost 3x more, and the protection level is lower. For daily wear, BoJ gives you more bang for your buck. Supergoop wins on texture and oil control.
Every 2 hours if you’re outdoors. If you’re inside most of the day (office life), your morning application is generally fine, but reapply before any extended sun exposure.
It’s non-comedogenic, and I wore it 30 days straight with zero breakouts — and my skin is picky. But everyone’s different, so patch test if you’re worried.
If your skin is on the reactive side, you might also want gentler actives in your routine — PDRN for sensitive skin is one of the least irritating anti-aging ingredients out there.
Yes, but check the texture of your vitamin C. Thicker, silicone-based serums underneath can cause pilling. Watery vitamin C serums work fine. Let your serum fully absorb before applying.
About 25–30 days if you’re using the proper amount (two finger-lengths) daily. 50ml goes quick. Budget for a new tube monthly.
