I used to be the person who avoided sunscreen like it owed me money. Not because I did not know it was important. I knew. Every dermatologist on every skincare podcast drilled it into me. My problem was simpler than that. Every sunscreen I tried left my face looking like a glazed donut or made my eyes sting so bad I looked like I had been crying at a funeral.
So for years I just skipped it on cloudy days and told myself the sun probably was not that strong anyway. Terrible logic looking back on it.
Then a coworker who has genuinely great skin mentioned this Korean sunscreen she found through a Reddit thread on r/AsianBeauty. She said it did not leave a white cast and did not feel greasy. I was skeptical because I had heard that promise before and been let down. But I ordered it anyway out of curiosity more than hope.
That bottle was the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+ PA++++ and it has completely changed how I feel about wearing sunscreen every single day.
My First Impression Was Honestly Confusing
When it arrived I remember opening the box and thinking it smelled a little like rice. Not a bad smell just an unexpected one for a sunscreen. Turns out the brand leans into traditional Korean ingredients like rice extract so that tracked once I looked into it.
The texture surprised me too. It is thin almost watery compared to the thick pasty sunscreens I grew up using. My first thought was there is no way this thin liquid is actually protecting my skin properly. I was wrong about that but I understand why it feels that way at first.
The White Cast Problem I Was So Tired Of
If you have ever put on sunscreen and looked in the mirror only to see a ghostly grey tint over your whole face you already know the frustration I am talking about. It is especially rough for people with medium to deeper skin tones since a lot of sunscreens are formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide heavy filters that sit on top of the skin.
This one uses a chemical filter blend instead which is part of why it blends in without that cast. I tested it on my forearm first because I did not trust it enough to slap it straight onto my face without proof.
Within about thirty seconds of rubbing it in it just disappeared into my skin. No grey tint no white streaks nothing. I actually went back and reapplied a second layer just to double check I was not imagining things.
How I Actually Apply It Now
I want to walk you through my actual routine because sunscreen only works if you use enough of it and most people do not.
Step one finish your skincare routine completely including moisturizer. Sunscreen should always go last before makeup.
Step two shake the bottle since separation is normal for a lot of Korean sunscreens with lighter textures.
Step three squeeze out about a nickel sized amount for your whole face. I know that sounds like a lot but the standard guideline for proper SPF protection really is that much.
Step four dot it across your forehead cheeks nose and chin before blending. Dotting first helps you get even coverage instead of dragging one small blob around and missing spots.
Step five wait about one to two minutes before applying makeup or heading outside so it has time to set properly.
Step six reapply every two hours if you are outside for extended periods especially at the beach or during a long walk. I keep a small stick sunscreen in my bag for reapplication over makeup since carrying the full bottle everywhere is not always practical.
A Mistake That Taught Me a Real Lesson
For the first few weeks I was only applying a thin layer because I was scared of that heavy sunscreen feeling coming back. I ended up with a slight sunburn on my nose after a long weekend hike even though I thought I was protected the whole day.
That was a wake up call. Using less product than recommended basically lowers your actual SPF protection even if the label says fifty. A thin layer might only be giving you a fraction of the protection printed on the bottle. Ever since then I actually measure it out properly instead of eyeballing a tiny drop.
What Makes This One Different From Other Sunscreens I Tried
I have gone through more sunscreens than I would like to admit including a couple of well known drugstore brands and a very expensive one my dermatologist recommended.
The biggest difference with this one is how it feels almost like nothing is on my skin at all after it sets. There is a slight dewy finish which I actually like since it gives a bit of glow without looking oily.
It also layers well under makeup. I use a lightweight foundation from a brand called Rare Beauty afterward and it has never pilled or gotten patchy the way some sunscreens do when mixed with makeup.
For anyone who wears glasses like I do the lack of heavy oiliness matters more than people realize. Greasy sunscreen plus glasses sliding down your nose all day is its own special kind of annoying.
Who Should Be a Little Careful With This
If you have very oily or acne prone skin you might find the dewy finish a bit much depending on your personal preference. Some people with oilier skin types pair it with a mattifying primer afterward to balance it out.
If you have known sensitivities to chemical sunscreen filters you should check the ingredient list carefully or ask a dermatologist before switching since this is not a mineral only formula.
Also if you are someone who wears heavy full coverage makeup daily you might want to set expectations that a lightweight sunscreen like this works best with lighter makeup routines rather than extremely thick full glam looks.
Real Talk About Price and Where to Buy It
I usually order mine through the official Beauty of Joseon storefront on Amazon or through Yesstyle since counterfeit skincare products are unfortunately common with viral items like this one. It is priced fairly reasonably compared to a lot of Western sunscreens which was honestly a pleasant surprise given how well it performs.
If you see it listed for an unusually low price from a random unfamiliar seller online I would be cautious. Checking reviews and seller ratings before buying is always a smart move with skincare especially something you are applying to your face daily.
Final Thoughts
Sunscreen only works if you actually want to wear it every day and for the first time in years I genuinely do not dread this step in my routine. That alone tells me something about how well formulated this product is compared to what I used before.
It will not fix sun damage that has already happened and it is not going to replace things like wearing a hat or seeking shade during peak sun hours. But as a daily wearable sunscreen that does not leave a cast or feel heavy it has earned a permanent spot in my bathroom cabinet.
If you have been putting off wearing sunscreen daily because of the texture or the white cast issue this one might finally be the bottle that breaks that habit for you. Just remember to actually use enough product because that lesson from my sunburned nose is one I do not plan on repeating.