Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun vs Round Lab Birch Juice Sunscreen: Which Korean Sunscreen Should You Choose?
Same SPF, the same four modern UV filters, both with niacinamide. So the real decision is the skincare wrapped around the protection — and one clear difference in fragrance.
On protection, it’s a genuine tie. Decide by ingredients and fragrance.
Both are SPF50+ PA++++ and — confirmed on their current ingredient lists — use the exact same four modern organic UV filters, both with niacinamide. So “which one protects better” isn’t the useful question. The real differences are the supporting skincare theme, the finish, and one thing that matters for reactive skin: Round Lab’s formula contains botanical fragrance oils, while Beauty of Joseon’s does not.
Why “which one protects better” is the wrong question
Both sunscreens are rated SPF50+ PA++++, and both are built on the identical four modern organic filters: Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, and Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol. These are the newer-generation UV filters you won’t find in most US-market sunscreens, and both formulas also carry niacinamide. On the protection side, these are essentially the same class of formula.
Those filters are photostable and cosmetically light, which is why most reviewers report little to no white cast from either one. That’s exactly why a “protection contest” between them is a dead end: the daily experience is decided by the supporting formula — the skincare ingredients, the finish, and whether the formula is likely to bother sensitive skin.
One naming note for accuracy: Beauty of Joseon is currently relabeling this product from “Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics” to “Relief Sun: Rice + Niacinamide.” The brand states the formula, ingredients, and size are unchanged — only the name is being updated in a global labeling refresh, so you may see either name on shelves.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
The antioxidant-leaning, fragrance-free-friendly option with a dewy glow.
Best if: you want an antioxidant-rich, unscented-leaning formula and a luminous finish.
Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
The birch-sap and hyaluronic-acid hydrator with a comfortable, low-white-cast finish.
Best if: you want a birch-and-HA hydrating finish and fragrance isn’t a concern for your skin.
At a glance
How they feel and wear (as widely reported)
Neither claim below is a personal wear test — they summarize what shows up repeatedly across public user reviews. Beauty of Joseon is most often described as silky and moisturizer-like, sinking in to a dewy glow with minimal white cast on light-to-medium tones, and it layers well under makeup. The recurring caveat: some oily-skin users notice visible shine after a few hours, and a minority report breakouts — worth a patch test if you’re acne-prone.
Round Lab is reported as lightweight but hydrating, comfortable, and low on white cast, behaving like a hydrating moisturizer with SPF. Its recurring caveat is the botanical fragrance: because it contains pine and chamomile oils, fragrance-reactive skin may not get along with it. Both finishes are dewy rather than matte, so very oily skin may find either one shiny by midday — Beauty of Joseon’s separate Aqua-Fresh (Rice + B5) version uses a different, oilier-skin-oriented formula and may suit better there.
What real reviewers report
Commonly praised: dewy glow, silky texture, no eye-sting, affordable, layers under makeup, little to no white cast on lighter tones.
Commonly flagged: oily skin can look shiny after a few hours; a minority report breakouts; buy from authorized sellers, as counterfeits have been reported on some marketplaces.
Commonly praised: hydrating and comfortable, no white cast, feels like a moisturizer, well-liked on dry skin.
Commonly flagged: contains botanical fragrance (pine, chamomile), so it’s not ideal for fragrance-reactive skin; the dewy finish can read shiny on oily skin.
Which one for you?
Pick Beauty of Joseon if…
- you’re sensitive to fragrance
- you want rice, ferments, and antioxidants
- you want a dewy, radiant finish
- you want the unscented-leaning cult classic
Pick Round Lab if…
- you want birch sap + hyaluronic-acid hydration
- botanical fragrance isn’t a concern for you
- your skin is dry and wants a hydrating finish
- you like allantoin and licorice soothing
FAQ
Do they leave a white cast?
Both use modern organic filters, so most reviewers report little to no white cast. Very fair skin may notice a slight tone shift with any chemical sunscreen, so it’s worth swatching first.
Which is better for oily skin?
Both finish dewy rather than matte, so oily skin may see midday shine from either. Beauty of Joseon’s Aqua-Fresh (Rice + B5) version is formulated more for oily/combination skin and is worth considering.
Is either one fragrance-free?
Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun lists no added fragrance or essential oils. Round Lab’s Birch Juice contains pine and chamomile essential oils, so it is not fragrance-free.
Is SPF50+ PA++++ enough for daily use?
Yes — that’s high broad-spectrum protection. What matters most is applying enough (about two finger-lengths for the face) and reapplying every 2–3 hours during sun exposure.
Bottom line
Choose Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun for an antioxidant-rich, fragrance-free-leaning dewy sunscreen — the safer pick for sensitive or fragrance-reactive skin.
Choose Round Lab Birch Juice for a birch-sap and hyaluronic-acid hydrating finish, if botanical fragrance isn’t a concern.
Either way, they share the same high-end filter system — so applying enough and reapplying on time matters far more than the choice between these two.
Sources & verification
- Beauty of Joseon — official site. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used for SPF/PA, 30% rice extract, filter list, and finish positioning.
- INCIDecoder — Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun full ingredient list. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used to confirm the four filters, niacinamide, ferments, and the absence of added fragrance/essential oils.
- Round Lab — official sun care collection. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used for the Birch Juice sunscreen’s positioning and range.
- INCIDecoder — Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen full ingredient list. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used to confirm the identical filters, birch sap 1,425 ppm, hyaluronic acid, and the pine/chamomile essential oils.
- Live That Glow — Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun review. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used only to summarize common user sentiment (paraphrased), not for quoted text.
