Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Review: Is the Viral Sunscreen Worth the Hype?

Few products have gone as reliably viral as Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++. It sells out constantly, racks up thousands of glowing reviews, and somehow costs less than your lunch. So does it actually live up to the hype? Short answer: mostly, yes. Here’s the honest breakdown.

The basics

It’s a lightweight Korean chemical sunscreen with skincare benefits built in. Protection comes in at SPF 50+ and PA++++, the highest UVA rating on the Japanese PA scale. It costs around $18 and rarely goes on sale, which is remarkable for the quality. And it’s made without oxybenzone and octinoxate, so it’s reef-conscious too.

What’s actually in it

The formula leans on its namesake ingredients: roughly 30% rice extract plus grain ferment lysate, alongside niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. That mix is why it doubles as a hydrator. The rice and niacinamide brighten while the hyaluronic acid and squalane keep skin comfortable. It’s rated 91% top-allergen-free and skips common irritants like parabens, talc, and lanolin.

How it actually wears

This is where it earns the hype. The texture is genuinely lightweight. It glides on, sinks in fast, and leaves no white cast, which is the holy grail for daily SPF, especially on deeper skin tones. It finishes dewy without being greasy, sits under makeup without pilling for most people, and hydrates well enough that you can often skip a separate moisturiser.

The honest cons

No product is for everyone. In user feedback the complaints are minor but worth flagging. A small share of people found it can sting the eyes, pill under certain makeup, or feel too rich on very oily or acne-prone skin. The dewy finish that most people love is exactly what oilier skin types sometimes don’t. None of it is a dealbreaker for the majority, but if your skin runs very oily or your eyes are sensitive, go in knowing.

The verdict

For about $18, Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun gives you high UVA and UVB protection, a genuinely elegant no-white-cast finish, and real skincare ingredients. It earns its viral status. This is one of those rare cases where the internet is right. If you want a daily facial sunscreen that feels like skincare and doesn’t fight your makeup, it’s an easy recommendation.