Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen: Honest Review and Skin Type Guide

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+ PA++++ sunscreen is often cited as the K-Beauty benchmark for daily sun protection: a lightweight, fragrance-free texture with modern UV filters and a finish that works under makeup. In short, it is well suited to normal, combination, and dry skin, with a few adjustments to keep in mind if your skin is oily or prone to blemishes.

It is part of the Beauty of Joseon range, available at Holy Skin and shipped from France.

It is understandable why you are hesitating. Between enthusiastic Reddit reviews and mixed feedback about pores, it is difficult to know if this SPF is right for you. In this article, we will get straight to the point: what this sunscreen really does, who it works for, the mistakes that lead to poor results, and how to incorporate it into your routine without the hassle.

Are you looking for Relief Sun? It is available at Holy Skin with fast delivery from Bordeaux. (see the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun)

Who is this sunscreen really made for? 🎯

Relief Sun is designed as a versatile everyday SPF. It sits between a day cream and pure sun protection: a cream texture, a natural slightly pearlescent finish, and a comfortable feel all day long. It shines on normal, combination, and dry skin, where it provides comfort and protection without feeling heavy.

If you are not sure about your skin type, the quickest way is to take the free Holy Skin skin quiz before building your routine.

Texture, finish and wear under makeup: what you can expect ✨

Application is smooth, with no white cast, and the product spreads in a thin layer. The finish is natural, with a slight "healthy glow" effect, which some love and others find too luminous depending on their skin's condition in the morning.

Under makeup, it holds up well provided you allow 2 to 3 minutes of settling time between your moisturizer and sunscreen. If you skip this wait time or apply too much at once, your foundation may slide or pill around the wings of your nose.

• Finish achieved: natural to slightly luminous depending on the amount applied
• Makeup wear: good, provided you do not layer too many wet layers
• Daytime feel: lightweight, non-suffocating on most tested skin types

The specialist's tip: Common mistake: applying sunscreen directly after a still-damp serum. Why it's a trap: the mixture of textures creates an unstable base that pills under makeup. What to do instead: let each layer absorb for 1 to 2 minutes before moving on.

Composition: UV filters, skincare actives and tolerance 🧴

The formula is based on 4 modern organic filters: Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB), Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone and Methylene Bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M). These filters cover the UVA and UVB spectrums with high photostability, a concrete advantage over formulas using older filters like Octinoxate, which degrade faster under light.

The PA++++ mention (Korean rating system) corresponds to the highest UVA protection level on the Japanese and Korean scales. In practice, this means substantial UVA protection suited for daily exposure.

The brand highlights 30% fermented rice extract and probiotics in the formula, with a goal of comfort, hydration, and soothing. The INCI list also includes niacinamide, an active that regulates sebum and evens out the complexion at effective concentrations generally starting from 2%. The formula is fragrance-free and alcohol-free, two common irritants in classic SPFs.

Note: even a gentle formula can cause tingling if the skin barrier is weakened (after exfoliation, or with too many actives in the morning). If you feel a slight burning sensation upon application, simplify your routine first before concluding that the product is incompatible.

How to apply it so that SPF50+ really works ☀️

An SPF50+ sunscreen only protects at this level if the quantity is sufficient. For the face and neck, the two-finger rule (index and middle fingers, inner side, from base to tip) is the simplest and most reliable practical benchmark to reach the quantity recommended by SPF testing standards (2 mg/cm²).

1. Gentle cleanser in the morning
2. Hydrating serum if needed (let absorb)
3. Light moisturizer if needed (let absorb)
4. Beauty of Joseon sunscreen in a sufficient quantity (two-finger rule)
5. Makeup after 2 to 3 minutes of settling time

Outdoors, reapplication is essential: every 2 hours, and after sweating, swimming, or rubbing. Indoors with little direct exposure (office, short commutes), applying in the morning remains a useful minimum, but reapplication may be less systematic.

The specialist's tip: Common mistake: reducing the amount of SPF to limit shine. Why it's a trap: below the sufficient quantity, the actual SPF drops well below the displayed index, potentially to SPF15 or less. What to do instead: keep the correct quantity, then mattify afterwards with a translucent powder or blotting paper.

Compatibility with your routine: vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol 🔬

Relief Sun is the final step in your morning routine, after skincare. Compatibility questions actually concern less the sunscreen itself than the actives applied underneath.

You can explore the full collection of Korean serums and ampoules to build a morning routine compatible with a daily SPF.

Blemishes, pilling, tingling: the most common mistakes 🚦

The majority of problems reported with this sunscreen have a common cause: too many layers or insufficient removal in the evening. Here are the most common scenarios and their direct solution.

• Pilling under makeup: too many wet layers layered too quickly. Solution: reduce to cleanser + SPF in the morning, without moisturizing if your skin does not need it.
• Small blemishes or microcomedones after 2 to 3 weeks: accumulation and insufficient cleansing in the evening. Solution: cleansing oil then gentle cleanser, every evening, especially if you reapply during the day.
• Excessive shine on the T-zone: the SPF is not to blame, it is the sebum accumulating on the surface. Solution: light powder or blotting paper on the affected areas.
• Tingling upon application: the skin barrier is weakened (after exfoliation, or too many actives in the morning). Solution: pause actives for 3 to 5 days, simple barrier routine, gradual reintroduction.

Signs that require a pause: persistent redness, burning sensation, dry patches, swelling or hives. In these cases, consult a dermatologist, these reactions are not normal and do not disappear by waiting.

What this review does not say: the real limits of the product 🔍

Relief Sun is a very good everyday sunscreen, but it is not universal. Three concrete limits to know before buying:

1. Not mattifying. If your main criterion is a long-lasting matte finish, an SPF formula with silicones or mattifying pigments will be more suitable.
2. Not waterproof. Like almost all everyday sunscreens, it requires reapplication after swimming or heavy sweating, water resistance is not claimed.
3. Not treatment. Rice extracts and probiotics provide comfort and hydration, but this sunscreen does not treat acne, dark spots or complexion. It protects them, that is different.

For skin with specific needs (active acne, hyperpigmentation), sunscreen remains essential, but it must be combined with a targeted routine. You can consult the Korean sunscreens available at Holy Skin to compare formulas according to your skin profile.

The essentials to remember ✅

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+ PA++++ sunscreen is an excellent everyday SPF for normal, combination, and dry skin: modern UV filters, fragrance-free, alcohol-free, comfortable under makeup. On oily or blemish-prone skin, it remains usable with a light morning routine and double cleansing in the evening.

Three points not to forget: apply the correct quantity (two-finger rule), reapply every 2 hours outdoors, and cleanse thoroughly in the evening to avoid accumulation.

One single logical action if you are still hesitating: take the free Holy Skin skin quiz to know exactly what morning routine to build around this sunscreen, according to your real profile.