Beauty of Joseon
Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+
Key ingredient: Rice Extract + Probiotics
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For everyday UK sun protection without the white cast, sting, or pilling that breaks most sunscreens, the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun delivers broad-spectrum SPF50+ PA++++ on a 30% rice extract base — the K-beauty sunscreen that became the global default in 2023–24 for good reason.
The ingredient story
Hero ingredient
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract + Chemical UV filter complex
Concentration
30% rice extract (Oryza Sativa) by weight. SPF50+ PA++++ from a 4-filter chemical UV blend (Octinoxate, Octisalate, Avobenzone, Uvinul A Plus).
Deep-dive
Read the full guide →How it works
The chemical UV filter complex absorbs UVA and UVB radiation before it can damage DNA in skin cells — broad-spectrum protection equivalent to clinical-grade Western sunscreens. The 30% rice extract base contributes hydration, antioxidant ferulic acid, and the niacinamide naturally present in rice bran, which together address what most chemical sunscreens lack: skin-feel and complementary skincare benefit. Bifida ferment lysate and saccharomyces ferment in the formula provide additional postbiotic support.
What the evidence shows
SPF50+ PA++++ rating is the highest scale used in Asia (UVA protection 16x+ baseline). Independent UK testing has confirmed the formulation meets EU SPF and PA claims. Rice extract benefits are well-evidenced in cosmetic dermatology — see the /ingredients/fermented-rice deep-dive for the underlying science.
Chemical filter sunscreens may irritate users sensitive to oxybenzone-class actives. Those with sensitive eyes can find application close to the eye contour mildly stinging — apply with care around the orbital area.
The brand
Philosophy
“Reimagine traditional Korean (Joseon-era) beauty ingredients with modern formulation science, at honest prices.”
Beauty of Joseon was founded with an explicit cultural premise: take ingredients documented in Joseon-era (1392–1897) Korean records — rice water, ginseng, propolis, mugwort — and reformulate them with modern dermatology in mind. The brand spent its first decade in relative obscurity in Korea before Relief Sun broke through Western markets via TikTok in 2022–24, eventually becoming the most-frequently-recommended K-beauty sunscreen by Western dermatologist content creators. The combination of clinical-grade UV protection, generous rice-extract skincare content, and a sub-£15 price point hits a triple that almost no other sunscreen in any market reaches.
Where this fits in your routine
Routine step
Sunscreen — the final morning step, applied over moisturiser
Morning: cleanse → toner → essence → active serum → moisturiser → Relief Sun → makeup (optional) Evening: not applicable — sunscreen is morning-only.
Layers cleanly over: any toner, essence, serum, or moisturiser. Does not pill under makeup, which is the most common K-beauty sunscreen complaint solved.
Reapplication note: Western dermatology recommends 2-hour reapplication. For office-bound days, once-a-day application is the realistic minimum. Top up at lunch with a stick or powder sunscreen if you are outside through the afternoon.
Pregnancy-safe.
Pairs especially well with
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence — snail essence as a hydration step under sunscreen — slips on cleanly without affecting SPF performance
Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream — same-brand moisturiser designed to layer cleanly under Relief Sun without pilling
Any vitamin C serum — vitamin C + SPF is the single most evidence-backed morning combo for photoaging prevention
Full ingredients
Free from
Full INCI ingredient list (manufacturer)
Water, Octinoxate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octisalate, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Avobenzone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Tromethamine, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Carbomer, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract (30%), Adenosine, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol
What real users say
“Genuinely no white cast on my NW45 skin tone. I have tried two dozen sunscreens and this is one of three that ever passed that test. And it is £14.”
— Reddit r/AsianBeauty, 2024
“I used to skip sunscreen because nothing felt good. Six months on Relief Sun and I now actually reapply at lunch because the texture is pleasant. The compounding benefit is huge.”
— TikTok review with 1.8M views, @skinwithben
“My dermatologist switched me to this from a £50 European mineral SPF that made me break out. Same UV protection, no breakouts, third of the price.”
— r/SkincareAddictionUK, 2024
Texture / feel
Lightweight cream-fluid that absorbs into a satin (slightly dewy) finish with no white cast on any skin tone tested. Faint sweet floral scent from the rice base — no added fragrance. Layers under foundation, powder, and concealer without pilling, which is the most common K-beauty sunscreen complaint that this product specifically solved.
Buying authentic
Verified UK retailers
Counterfeit warning
Genuine BoJ packaging has a holographic batch code on the box bottom and clean white-cream tube with crisp printing. Avoid third-party sellers on Amazon UK marketplace — counterfeit Relief Sun is one of the most-reported fake Korean sunscreens in 2024–25. Buy from listed authorised retailers only.
This page was last reviewed on 2026-05-17. We update product storytelling when formulation, retailer availability, or evidence changes meaningfully.
About this product
Cult-favourite Korean sunscreen with a zero white-cast formula. Rice extract and probiotics nourish the skin while delivering broad-spectrum SPF50+ protection.
Why Rice Extract + Probiotics works
Rice Extract + Probiotics provides ferulic acid and kojic acid precursors that gently brighten while delivering antioxidant defence.
