Product Review
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: honest formula review
Relief Sun is a light, dewy Korean sunscreen built on four modern UV filters, 30% rice extract and niacinamide. The formula is elegant and the brand reports lab SPF results above 50. The catch for US buyers: none of its four filters is on the FDA list of permitted sunscreen actives, so it is not sold as an FDA-compliant sunscreen.
How we reviewed this: this is a formula and evidence review based on the published ingredient list, the brand’s stated claims and independent research. We have not run a hands-on test, we were not paid, and this page has no affiliate links. See our product review methodology and affiliate disclosure.
- Product
- Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
- Brand
- Beauty of Joseon (Korea)
- Type
- Chemical (organic-filter) facial sunscreen cream
- Key actives
- UV filters: ethylhexyl triazone, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (no % disclosed); rice extract 30%; niacinamide
- Fragrance
- No added fragrance in the published ingredient list
- Best for
- Normal, dry and combination skin wanting a light, no-white-cast daily sunscreen
- Skip if
- You want an FDA-regulated US sunscreen, need visible-light protection for melasma, or have very oily skin
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics is a well-designed, lightweight chemical sunscreen with four modern UV filters, no added fragrance and no white cast, and the brand publishes lab results of SPF 52.5 (Korea) and 63.1 (Spain) with PA++++ UVA ratings. Its rice extract, niacinamide and glycerin make it feel moisturizing. The honest caveat for US readers is regulatory: its four filters are not among the active ingredients the FDA permits in US sunscreens, so it is an import that has not gone through US sunscreen rules. If you use it, apply generously and reapply; if you want an FDA-regulated product, choose a US-labeled sunscreen instead.
- The filter set and texture are strong points, and the brand publishes lab SPF and UVA test results.
- None of its UV filters is FDA-permitted, so it is not a US-regulated sunscreen; buy from authorized sellers if you choose it.
- It has no iron oxides, so it does not add visible-light protection for melasma; pair with a tinted product if that matters.
The formula
What is in Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun?
| Ingredient | What it does | Evidence strength |
|---|---|---|
| Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate | UVA filter | Established filter outside the US; not FDA-permitted |
| Ethylhexyl triazone | UVB filter | Established outside the US; not FDA-permitted |
| Diethylhexyl butamido triazone | UVB filter | Established outside the US; not FDA-permitted |
| Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol | Broad UVA and UVB filter | Established outside the US; not FDA-permitted |
| Rice extract (30%), rice germ and ferments | Moisturizing, skin-feel | Limited; mostly brand claims |
| Niacinamide | Barrier and tone support | Good as an ingredient; amount not disclosed |
| Glycerin, coco-caprylate/caprate | Humectant and light emollient | Standard and well understood |
The brand lists the four filters but not their percentages, so we cannot judge the exact UVA and UVB balance. It does publish lab results: SPF 52.5 ± 5.8 in Korea and 63.1 in Spain, with UVA protection factors of about 16 and 19, both rated PA++++. These are brand-reported tests; independent retesting of this specific product was not available to us.
Because all four filters are organic (chemical) filters, this is not a mineral sunscreen. For the difference, see mineral vs chemical sunscreen.
US regulatory note
Is Beauty of Joseon sunscreen FDA-approved?
No, not as formulated on the brand page. In the US, sunscreens are regulated as over-the-counter drugs, and only specific active ingredients are permitted. The FDA’s list includes avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, ensulizole, ecamsule, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and in June 2026 the FDA added bemotrizinol. None of Relief Sun’s four filters is on that list.
In practice, this means:
- US shoppers usually buy it as an import, and it has not been reviewed under US sunscreen rules.
- The filters are used in sunscreens sold in Korea and elsewhere; missing from the FDA list means they have not been through US review, not that they are proven unsafe.
- Counterfeits are a real risk with viral imports. Buy from the brand or authorized retailers.
- We could not find a separate US-specific formula on the brand page, so check the label of what you buy.
Comparing Korean sunscreens? See our Beauty of Joseon vs Round Lab comparison.
Who it suits
Who should use Relief Sun, and who should skip it?
Good fit
- Normal, dry or combination skin that likes a dewy finish.
- Medium and deep skin tones tired of mineral white cast.
- People sensitive to fragrance, since none is listed.
- Wearing under makeup; see sunscreen under makeup.
Think twice
- You want a US-regulated, FDA-compliant sunscreen.
- Very oily skin; the brand itself suggests a different product for oily types.
- Melasma or stubborn dark spots, where tinted iron-oxide sunscreens add visible-light protection; see melasma.
- Long outdoor days in water; the brand does not claim water resistance.
How to use it
How to use Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun
- Last step of your morning routine
Apply after moisturizer (or instead of it, if your skin is oily).
- Use enough
The brand suggests about two full fingers’ length for face and neck. It is easy to under-apply; see how much sunscreen to use.
- Let it set
Give it a few minutes before makeup to reduce pilling.
- Reapply
The brand says every 2 to 3 hours; the FDA advises at least every two hours and more often when sweating or swimming. See how often to reapply sunscreen.
- Add other protection
Shade, hats and clothing still matter, especially at midday.
What to expect
What can you realistically expect?
Expect a comfortable, lightweight cream that disappears without a white cast and leaves a slightly dewy finish. Expect sun protection in line with its rating only if you apply a full amount and reapply. Do not expect the rice extract, ferments or niacinamide to act as treatments; in a sunscreen they mainly improve feel and comfort.
SPF 50+ versus SPF 30 matters less than using enough product; our SPF 30 vs SPF 50 guide explains why.
Alternatives
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun alternatives
US-labeled facial sunscreens
Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ with avobenzone-based filters; our guide to choosing a face sunscreen walks through it.
Zinc oxide formulas
Good for sensitive skin and pregnancy (see our pregnancy guide), though some leave a cast.
Lighter, matte options
See our picks of sunscreens for acne-prone skin.
Similar K-beauty creams
Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream is another popular Korean option; check the filters and US status of any import.
Safety and professional-help boundaries
When sun protection needs medical input.
- See a dermatologist about any new, changing, itching or bleeding spot; sunscreen does not replace skin checks.
- Stop using it if you develop a rash, hives or swelling; any UV filter can cause a reaction in some people.
- For melasma, photosensitive conditions or a history of skin cancer, ask a dermatologist which sunscreen suits you best.
- Babies under 6 months should be protected from the sun by shade and clothing rather than sunscreen, per the AAD.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions
Is Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun good?
As a formula, yes: it uses four modern UV filters, has no added fragrance and leaves no white cast. The main caveat is that its filters are not FDA-permitted, so it is not a US-regulated sunscreen.
Is Beauty of Joseon sunscreen FDA-approved?
No. None of its four UV filters is on the FDA list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients, so it is sold in the US as an import rather than as an FDA-compliant sunscreen.
Is Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun chemical or mineral?
Chemical. All four of its UV filters are organic (chemical) filters; it contains no zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Does Relief Sun leave a white cast?
The brand says it does not, and its filter set, without zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, is consistent with that claim.
Is Beauty of Joseon sunscreen good for oily skin?
It can feel dewy on oily skin. The brand suggests that oily skin skip an extra moisturizer underneath or use a different product it makes for oily and combination skin.
Is Relief Sun safe for sensitive skin?
It has no added fragrance in its ingredient list, which helps. Any UV filter can still cause a reaction, so patch test first if you are sensitive.
Can I use Beauty of Joseon sunscreen during pregnancy?
Our pregnancy guide suggests mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide during pregnancy. Relief Sun is a chemical sunscreen, so ask your clinician or choose a mineral option.
How often should I reapply Relief Sun?
The brand suggests every 2 to 3 hours; the FDA advises at least every two hours, and more often if you are sweating or swimming.
Does Relief Sun help with dark spots?
It helps prevent sun darkening, but it has no iron oxides for visible-light protection. For melasma, a tinted sunscreen with iron oxides is often a better fit.
Is the niacinamide in Relief Sun enough to treat skin?
The amount is not disclosed, and in a sunscreen it mainly adds comfort. Use a separate niacinamide serum if you want a treatment effect.
Editorial Record
- Editorial status
- awaiting expert review
Related pages
Continue from here
Sources reviewed
Evidence behind this review
- Beauty of Joseon: Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ product page (filters, ingredient list, lab results, directions).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Sunscreen, how to help protect your skin from the sun (permitted active ingredients, reapplication).
- American Academy of Dermatology: Skin care tips dermatologists use (SPF 30+, infants under 6 months).
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to fade dark spots in skin of color (iron oxide sunscreens and visible light).
Sources support the general editorial guidance shown here. They do not replace personal medical advice from a qualified clinician.