So, so hyped, but is this Korean sunscreen really worth your money?! Read on for my Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun review!
The brand
Beauty of Josean launched in 2017. It’s inspired by traditional Korean medicine and the ingredients it uses (hanbang).
“Beauty of Joseon is a skincare brand made with Hanbang (Traditional herbal medicine) ingredients handed down from the Joseon Dynasty. We believe healthy skincare habits relieve us and enrich our daily lives.”
Beauty of Joseon
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun review: Sunscreen description
Relief Sun is a lightweight and creamy type organic sunscreen that’s comfortable on skin. Even if you apply a large amount several times, it is not sticky and gives a moist finish like that of a light moisturizing cream. Containing 30% rice extract and grain fermented extracts, it provides moisture and nourishment to the skin.
Beauty of Joseon
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Rice and grain fermented extracts are rich in vitamins B, C, E, amino acids, and minerals which help to moisturize dry skin and comfortably calm the skin.
Ingredients
Rice is an awesome skincare ingredient. Rice extract is rich in protein, antioxidants, fatty acids, phyto nutrients, and even ceramides. All this means that it’s extremely soothing and moisturizing, conditioning and nourishing in skincare products.
- More: cosrx rice mask
Here, it plays a rather big role in the inci list and the formulation. There’s also green tea and ginseng, due to the Hanbang tradition Beauty of Joseon is committed to. (What is Hanbang? – Coveteur)
Also on the list is brightening Niacinamide and Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract that’s both hydrating and very gently exfoliating.
The formula is suitable for sensitive skin as it doesn’t include fragrance, essential oils or alcohol denat.
Inci list
Water, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract (30%), Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Aspergillus Ferment, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Hover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate / Uvinul A Plus | chemical / organic | high UVA protection (320-400 nm) with peak protection at 354nm | high photostability, can be used up to 10%, available elsewhere but the US & Canada |
| Ethylhexyl Triazone / Uvinul T 150 | chemical / organic | photostable UVB filter,(280-320nm) with a peak protection of 314nm | oil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available elsewhere except the US & Canada |
| Tinosorb M / Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol | chemical / organic | broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 305 nm & 360 nm) | highly photostable, not available in the US, can help stabilize other filters (eg Octinoxate) |
| Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone / Iscotrizinol | chemical / organic | UVB and UVA II (peak protection at 310 nm) | very oil soluble, suitable for water-repellent and water-resistant formulations, VERY photostable |
(The formula also uses a sunscreen booster very high on the ingredient list. Dibutyl Adipate is an emollient that can help solubilising UV filters.)
The SPF was independently tested in both a European and Korean lab and scored an UVB protection over 50 (Korean Lab: 52.5±5.8 / Spain Lab: 63.1±0.6). Sadly, they didn’t disclose the UVA protection. Still, the PPD++++ indicates a UVA protection that’s somewhere between 16 and 20.
Sustainability
I couldn’t find any info on that. The brand claims to be cruelty free and vegan. I don’t know where the claim “organic” comes from. Additionally, I don’t see any certified labels for that.
Application
I usually use a very minimal skincare routine underneath the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+. For me, that’s a toner and a very lightweight serum. (Sometimes I do even skip that.) In my opinion, only if you have really dry skin you need to apply an additional moisturizer.
I use two finger-lengths which is a tad more than the usual 1.4g or 1/4tsp.
The texture is a light, but creamy lotion. It’s thick enough to not drip down your fingers. It goes on relatively shiny, but this tones down over the next half hour.
I do like that you can manipulate the sunscreen without it ever pilling, no matter what.
Is it super lightweight? No.
Makeup Application
I’d advise to wait a little while until going in with foundation, no matter liquid, cream or powder.
Then, it makes a really nice base.
Finish
Yes, it leaves a faintly glowy finish, depending on your skintype. A very dry skin might wish for something a bit more substantial, while oilier types might think it heavy. My skin feels moisturised the whole day long when using it, but not particularly tacky.
The only complaint I have is that it pools into lines on my throat and neck and forms faint white lines there.
Comparison
I’ve tested so MANY Korean sunscreens that are all rather similar, at least in filters, finish and performance. Also, they all exclude alcohol and fragrance. And while I like them all to a certain degree, they’re not perfect for me. None of them. Why? Because I’m pining for that satin-like, skinlike finish that none of them have. Still perfectly nice sunscreens? Sure.
Isntree Watery Sun Gel is thinner in texture and shinier in finish. Scinic Sun Essence is thicker in texture, forms a very perceptible film and is glowier. Last year’s fave, Skin Aqua Moisture Milk, is thinner with a very glowy finish. The Anessa Whitening Gel that Astrid recently reviewed is very similar in texture, but BOJ’s finish is nicer and not so sticky. Garnier’s Super UV Fluid texture is much, much thinner, but the finish is rather similar. And finally, the new Anthelios UVMune Fluid is much, much shinier and stickier, but has the newest (and maybe best) filters available.
Checklist
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun review: Rating
Looking at the claims, it clocks in a great result. Yes, moist and non-sticky finish, no white cast. Makeup application is a dream, and on top of that, this doesn’t pill or migrate into the eyes turning them watery.
Still, while it’s perfectly fine, I’m not in love and will continue the search…
Availability & Price
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF is available at your usual K-Beauty retailers. 50ml are around 14-18€. (Stylevana, Jolse, YesStyle)
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
If you want a satin-y finish, i think you may like the sunprise suncreen in either mild watery light or airy formula. Both have a mattifying, satin-y finish for me (and i have combo/oily skin!)
Hi Yasmin, thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely check it out!