As someone who spends most of her day inside an office, I used to think daily sunscreen was optional. My foundation had SPF, I wasn’t commuting on foot, and I rarely spent long hours outdoors. But recently, I started noticing subtle pigmentation around my cheeks and a general dullness that even my usual brightening serum couldn’t fix. That was the wake-up call.

Choosing the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun

This sunscreen came up over and over again—on beauty subreddits, Instagram reels, even a coworker casually mentioned it during lunch. So I decided to give it a try. I ordered mine from Amazon, but I have to admit I was a little nervous. There are way too many listings, and I saw a few warnings about counterfeit products. I made sure to buy directly from the brand’s official seller just to be safe.

First Impressions and Application

The texture is beautiful. It spreads easily like a gel cream and sinks in without that sticky film some sunscreens leave behind. I didn’t feel the need to reapply powder midday, and it sat nicely under both light and full coverage makeup. My combination skin didn’t get shiny throughout the day, which was a big plus.

Things I Didn’t Love

If I had to nitpick, the scent wasn’t quite for me. It’s not overwhelming, but there’s a distinct herbal or fermented note that lingers for a few minutes after application. I’m sensitive to fragrance in skincare, so I noticed it right away. Still, it didn’t cause any irritation or breakouts, so I kept using it.

Final Thoughts

After a few weeks of consistent use, I can see why this is a cult favorite. My skin tone is more even, and there’s a subtle glow that wasn’t there before. This product helped me finally commit to sunscreen as a daily essential—not just a vacation item. While I might still try other formulas in the future, this one set the bar high.