Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+: the viral sunscreen my makeup actually loves
By Malvina · Tested for about 1 month, every single morning
Price: €18.90 (KIM Korean Iconic Makeup, Cyprus)
- ProtectionSPF50+ · PA++++
- TypeChemical (4 modern filters)
- Size50 ml tube
- FinishDewy, no white cast
- Best forDry & normal skin
- SPF50+ PA++++
- Fragrance-free
- Alcohol-free
- No oxybenzone or octinoxate
- Non-comedogenic
- Cruelty-free
- So lightweight — it sinks in fast and never feels greasy
- No white cast at all, even in strong sun
- My makeup goes on top beautifully — no pilling, no sliding
- Skin looks glowy, dewy and healthy after I put it on
- The price is really good for how nice it is
- Not for oily skin — the dewy finish is too much if your skin is already oily
- The tube is small (50 ml), so if you use it every day you have to restock often
Watch my review
Why I finally tried the viral one
I kept seeing this sunscreen everywhere on social media. It is a big hype right now, and I wanted to see for myself if it is really that good or just talk. I need SPF every single day, so for me it has to be lightweight, not greasy, and with no white cast. And I love wearing makeup, so it is very important that my makeup sits nicely on top — no pilling, no greasy feeling. So I bought it and used it every morning for about a month.
What I love
It is so lightweight. It goes on and sinks into the skin fast, and it does not feel heavy or sticky. There is no white cast at all — my skin just looks like skin, only better. After I put it on, my face looks glowy, dewy and healthy, like I slept well and drank all my water. And the price is really good for a sunscreen this nice.
My makeup has never sat so well
This is the part I care about the most. Some sunscreens ruin my makeup — everything pills or slides off. With this one my makeup goes on top perfectly. No pilling, no greasy feeling underneath. It is like a nice smooth base. This alone is why I keep reaching for it.
The honest bit — two things to know
I have to be real: this is not for oily skin. The finish is dewy and glowy, which I love because my skin is on the normal-to-dry side. But if your skin is already oily, it will probably feel like too much.
The other thing is the size. The tube is only 50 ml, and if you use it every morning like me, it goes down fast and you have to restock more often than you think. Not a dealbreaker, but keep it in mind.
The moment I knew it was good
A friend came to visit me. She looked at me and asked right away what SPF I was wearing — she wanted the brand name immediately. She said my face looked so healthy and young. She went online and bought one for herself the same day. When your friend orders it on the spot, you know it is good.
Who it is for
Perfect for dry and normal skin that wants an easy, glowy SPF that makeup loves. If your skin runs oily, I would honestly look for something more matte instead — this one is not for you.
My verdict
The hype is real. It is lightweight, no white cast, my makeup sits perfectly on top, and my skin looks healthy every time. For me it is a 5 — I will absolutely buy it again. Just remember the two things: it is best for dry-to-normal skin, and the small tube means you will restock often.
The specs
The researched details — the facts about materials, safety and performance, kept separate from my hands-on take above.
Protection & formula
| Protection | SPF 50+ · PA++++ (highest UVA rating) |
|---|---|
| Filter type | Chemical (organic) sunscreen — no mineral filters |
| UV filters | Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone |
| Finish | Dewy, natural glow — no white cast |
Key ingredients
| Rice extract | 30% — rich in vitamins B, C, E and amino acids |
|---|---|
| Probiotic / ferment complex | Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Saccharomyces & Aspergillus ferments |
| Niacinamide | Brightening and barrier support |
| Green tea | Antioxidant, soothing |
Free from & suitability
| Free from | Fragrance, essential oils, alcohol |
|---|---|
| Also free of | Oxybenzone and octinoxate |
| Non-comedogenic | Yes — won't clog pores |
| Cruelty-free | Yes |
| Pregnancy-safe | Yes (per Beauty of Joseon) |
| Best skin types | Dry to normal (dewy finish is a lot for oily skin) |
The basics
| Size | 50 ml tube |
|---|---|
| Made in | South Korea |
| Reapply | Every 2 hours in strong sun, and after swimming or sweating |
Quick questions
- Does the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen leave a white cast?
- No — none at all, even in strong sun. My skin just looks like skin, only more glowy.
- Can you wear makeup over it?
- Yes, and this is the best part for me. My makeup goes on top perfectly — no pilling, no sliding, no greasy feeling underneath. It works like a smooth base.
- Is it good for oily skin?
- Honestly, no. The finish is dewy and glowy, so if your skin is already oily it will feel like too much. It is best for dry to normal skin.
- How long does the 50 ml tube last?
- If you use it every morning like me, it goes down fast — be ready to restock more often than you think. Not a dealbreaker, but keep it in mind.
- What filters does Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun use — is it chemical or mineral?
- It's a chemical (organic-filter) sunscreen, not a mineral one. It uses four modern, photostable filters — Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol and Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone — and it contains no oxybenzone or octinoxate.
- Is it fragrance-free and cruelty-free?
- Yes — it's fragrance-free, essential-oil-free and alcohol-free, non-comedogenic and cruelty-free, and Beauty of Joseon lists it as pregnancy-safe. Any faint scent comes from the rice and grain extracts, not added fragrance.