Daily sunscreen application is essential, especially in climates with consistently high UV indexes. However, heavy or sticky sunscreens are often avoided, making lightweight formulas highly sought after.
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics Sunscreen has become incredibly popular online, receiving high praise from beauty influencers across platforms like TikTok and Reddit for its exceptionally lightweight texture and glowing finish.
Understanding Beauty of Joseon and Hanbang
Beauty of Joseon is a Korean beauty brand that utilizes the Hanbang approach—incorporating traditional Korean medicinal ingredients into skincare. Hanbang is rooted in the philosophy that external appearance is linked to overall internal health. This holistic approach uses ingredients like ginseng and white lotus, often found in traditional tonics, which are believed to reduce inflammation and promote skin rejuvenation.
Sunscreen Details and Notable Ingredients
This sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection with a rating of SPF 50+ and PA++++.
It uses chemical filters: Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, and Iscotrizinol.
Key Skincare Ingredients:
- Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract: Rice contains anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory compounds. In skincare, it is also noted for potentially lightening hyperpigmentation.
- Probiotics: A blend of ferments (including pumpkin, soybean, and rice) which may help improve the skin barrier and offer anti-acne benefits.
- Niacinamide: A versatile antioxidant known for improving skin barrier function and hydration.
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E): An antioxidant that helps strengthen the skin barrier.
- Camellia Sinensis Extract (Green Tea): Provides additional antioxidant benefits.
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract: Popular in Korean skincare since the 16th century, ginseng contains active compounds like ginsenosides, which may help lighten hyperpigmentation and reduce collagen breakdown.
User Experience: The Good and The Bad
👍 The Positives
- Verified Protection: Following past industry concerns, Beauty of Joseon commendably had this sunscreen independently verified by two different labs (in Korea and Spain) to confirm the high SPF ratings, enhancing reliability.
- Calming Formula: The ingredient list is rich in calming and active components like rice extracts, probiotics, niacinamide, and green tea. This makes the formula suitable for sensitive skin; it was found to be very calming and helped reduce redness even after a chemical peel.
- Excellent Texture and Finish: The sunscreen has a lightweight gel consistency that sinks in easily with minimal blending. The finish is satin smooth, feels almost weightless, dries quickly, and does not interfere with makeup or transfer onto face masks. It also washes off easily without needing a double cleanse.
- Fragrance-Free: Contains no added fragrances or essential oils, yet it lacks an unpleasant chemical scent.
👎 The Negatives
- Lacks Hydration: Despite containing several humectants, this sunscreen did not feel particularly hydrating. Users with normal to dry skin may find it does not suffice as a moisturizer replacement.
- Faint White Cast/Dull Finish: While using only chemical filters, the inclusion of Tinosorb M (which disperses UV rays) may result in a faint but visible white cast, potentially being more noticeable on darker skin tones. The final finish was often described as matte, which in certain lighting could make the skin look dull, contrary to the typical "glowy" hype.
Final Verdict
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is an extremely lightweight and well-formulated sunscreen. While its texture and high level of protection are commendable, its matte finish and lack of significant hydration make it a better fit for individuals with oily skin.
