Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics Review: Does the Viral Sunscreen Live Up to the Hype?

Quick Verdict: 4.2/5

Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun delivers on most of its promises — it’s lightweight, wears well under makeup, and costs a fraction of Western competitors. The white cast on darker skin tones keeps it from being a universal recommendation.

What It Is

Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun is a chemical-physical hybrid sunscreen that combines 2% zinc oxide with chemical filters (octinoxate and uvinul A plus). The formula includes 30% rice bran water and probiotics — ingredients that sound more interesting than they probably are for sun protection, but don’t hurt.

The SPF 50+ PA++++ rating translates to solid broad-spectrum protection. PA++++ means it blocks 16 times more UVA than unprotected skin would absorb. That’s the highest rating in the Japanese system and roughly equivalent to PPD 16 in European testing.

This isn’t Beauty of Joseon’s first sunscreen, but it’s the one that went viral on social media. Sometimes that’s a red flag. Not here — the hype has some basis in reality.

Texture and Application

Relief Sun has the consistency of a lightweight moisturizer. It spreads easily and doesn’t feel heavy or sticky during application. The texture strikes a good balance — substantial enough that you know you’re applying something, but not so thick that it feels like you’re slathering on zinc oxide.

The finish takes about two minutes to fully set. During that window, it has a slightly shiny, not-quite-absorbed look that might make you wonder if you applied too much. You didn’t. Give it time and it settles into a natural, barely-there finish that works under makeup.

One strength worth noting: it doesn’t pill. We tested it under three different primers and two foundations, and it stayed put. That’s not universal among Korean sunscreens — some interact poorly with makeup.

The scent is subtle and pleasant — a light, clean smell with hints of the rice water base. It fades quickly after application.

Filter System and Protection

The hybrid filter system is where Relief Sun gets interesting. Most Korean sunscreens rely heavily on chemical filters, which can be irritating for sensitive skin. The 2% zinc oxide here provides a physical barrier while the chemical filters (octinoxate at 7.5% and uvinul A plus at 3%) handle the rest.

Octinoxate has fallen out of favor in some markets due to coral reef concerns, but it’s still approved by the FDA and remains one of the most effective UVB filters available. Uvinul A plus is a newer-generation chemical filter that’s photostable and provides solid UVA protection.

The combination works well in practice. We wore this daily for three weeks during a particularly sunny stretch in late summer and saw no signs of burning or tanning on properly covered areas. The PA++++ rating appears accurate based on real-world use.

Water resistance isn’t heavily marketed, and for good reason. This formula is designed for daily wear, not beach days. If you’re swimming or sweating heavily, reapply frequently or choose something more tenacious.

Performance on Different Skin Tones

Here’s where things get complicated. Relief Sun works beautifully on light to medium skin tones — it blends invisibly and leaves a natural finish. On deeper skin tones, there’s a noticeable white cast that takes significant rubbing to minimize.

We tested this on five different skin tones, from very fair to deep. The white cast became apparent around medium-deep and was quite obvious on the deepest tone we tested. It’s not the worst we’ve seen, but it’s enough to make this a poor choice for many potential users.

This is disappointing because the formula is otherwise well-suited to daily use. The zinc oxide percentage (2%) isn’t high enough to justify this level of white cast. Some mineral sunscreens with higher zinc content perform better on dark skin. It seems to be a formulation issue rather than an inherent limitation of the ingredients.

For comparison, sunscreens specifically formulated for darker skin tones typically use different particle sizes or additional ingredients to minimize this issue. Relief Sun doesn’t appear to incorporate those approaches.

Value and Packaging

At $18 for 50ml, Relief Sun offers solid value in the crowded sunscreen market. That’s roughly $0.36 per ml — significantly cheaper than prestige Western brands that often hit $1+ per ml.

The tube packaging is practical and travel-friendly. The pump dispenser makes it easy to control portions, which matters when you’re trying to apply the proper amount (about 1/4 teaspoon for face and neck, as detailed in our guide to sunscreen application).

The 50ml size will last about 6-8 weeks with daily use, assuming you’re applying the recommended amount. That makes the true cost about $12-16 per month, which is reasonable for daily sun protection.

How It Fits Into Your Routine

Relief Sun works well as the final step in a morning skincare routine. Apply it after moisturizer and before makeup. If you’re using active ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide in the morning, this sunscreen plays nicely with them — no interaction issues observed.

The formula is gentle enough for daily use, even on slightly sensitized skin. We didn’t see any irritation during three weeks of testing, including on skin that had been using tretinoin the night before.

If you prefer to combine steps, this isn’t moisturizing enough to replace a dedicated moisturizer on dry skin. Normal to oily skin types might be able to skip moisturizer underneath, particularly in humid weather.

Comparison to Competitors

Product	Price/ml	White Cast	Finish	Water Resistance
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun	$0.36	Moderate	Natural	Limited
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In	$0.60	Minimal	Matte	80 minutes
EltaMD UV Clear	$0.67	None	Natural	None claimed
Supergoop! Unseen	$1.33	None	Invisible	40 minutes

The comparison highlights Relief Sun’s main strengths (price, natural finish) and weaknesses (white cast, limited water resistance). La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Melt-In costs more but performs better across skin tones and offers verified water resistance.

For those prioritizing budget and daily wearability over universal compatibility, Relief Sun makes sense. If you have deeper skin or need reliable water resistance, the extra cost of alternatives is justified.

Who Should Use This

Relief Sun works best for:

• Light to medium skin tones
• Daily office wear rather than outdoor activities
• People seeking affordable, effective sun protection
• Those who prefer lightweight textures over heavy, occlusive formulas
• Users who want a sunscreen that works well under makeup

Skip it if:

• You have medium-deep to deep skin (white cast will be noticeable)
• You need water-resistant protection for sports or swimming
• You’re looking for a moisturizer-sunscreen combination product
• You have very oily skin that needs mattifying properties

Final Rating and Recommendation

Overall Rating: 4.2/5

Category	Rating	Notes
Protection	4.5/5	Solid broad-spectrum coverage with reliable filters
Texture	4.5/5	Lightweight, non-greasy, doesn’t pill
Compatibility	3.0/5	White cast limits universality
Value	4.5/5	Excellent price-to-performance ratio
Packaging	4.0/5	Functional tube with pump dispenser

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is a competent daily sunscreen that delivers on most of its promises. The lightweight texture, reliable protection, and budget-friendly price make it appealing for many users. The white cast issue prevents it from being a universal recommendation, but for those with compatible skin tones, it’s a solid choice that won’t break the bank.

The viral status is somewhat justified — this isn’t just social media hype. It’s a genuinely useful product with clear strengths and limitations. Understanding those limitations before purchase will determine whether you love it or find it disappointing.