The Dewy Edit

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Review: The Sunscreen That Changed People's Minds About SPF

· 2 min read

In the Korean sunscreen roundup we covered why the category applies thinner and disappears faster than most Western formulas. This is the specific product that gets credited most often for converting sunscreen-avoiders into daily wearers — and it's worth a standalone look because of how much of its reputation is actually earned by the formula, not just the packaging.

SPF50+ PA++++, and what that combination means

SPF50+ covers UVB protection at the highest commonly available rating, and PA++++ is the top tier of the Asian PA rating system for UVA protection. Together, that's the strongest broad-spectrum coverage you'll typically find without needing a specialty or medical-grade formula.

The "rice + probiotics" angle

Rice extract and probiotic ferment are included as supporting skincare ingredients — not sunscreen actives, but additions meant to give the formula a hydrating, slightly brightening finish rather than the dry, matte cast some sunscreens leave behind. This is a genuine formulation difference, not just label copy: it's part of why the finish feels more like a light moisturizer than a typical SPF layer.

Texture and finish

Lightweight, slightly dewy, no white cast on most skin tones — consistent with the chemical-filter Korean sunscreen category covered in the roundup. It sits well under makeup and doesn't pill when layered over a full routine, which is the exact complaint that stops a lot of people from reapplying sunscreen through the day.

Who it's good for

  • Anyone who has skipped sunscreen because previous formulas felt heavy, greasy, or left a cast
  • Combination to oily skin types, given the lightweight, non-greasy finish
  • Daily wear under makeup — this is the sunscreen a lot of people specifically buy because they'll actually reapply it

Who might want something else

  • Very dry skin in cold climates may want a richer, more emollient sunscreen as a moisturizer replacement
  • Sensitive or reactive skin should patch test — it's a chemical filter formula, not mineral

Where it fits

Sunscreen is the final step of a morning routine — step 10 in the full routine breakdown, applied after moisturizer and before makeup.

Bottom line: the reputation is earned. If a bad sunscreen experience is the reason you don't wear one, this is one of the most commonly recommended fixes for exactly that problem.