THE COMPARISON

Beauty of Joseon vs. Round Lab Sunscreen: Which Korean Sunscreen Is Right for You?

Few products have done more to introduce international shoppers to Korean sunscreen than Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun and Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream.

Both have achieved cult status. Both are known for elegant, skincare-like textures. Both have become the kind of products people buy in multiples once they find them.

And on paper, they can sound remarkably similar.

In reality, they don't feel exactly the same on the skin.

So if you've been trying to decide between two of K-beauty's most famous sunscreens, here's how we'd choose.

The Short Answer

Choose Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun if: you want a lightweight, comfortable everyday sunscreen with a creamy texture and a natural-looking finish.

Choose Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream if: hydration and a more moisturized, dewy finish are priorities.

Neither is universally “better.”

The difference comes down largely to texture, finish and what your skin wants underneath sunscreen.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun

The Cult Classic

Beauty of Joseon's Relief Sun helped change what many people expected sunscreen to feel like.

Instead of the heavy, sticky experience traditionally associated with some facial sunscreens, Relief Sun feels remarkably similar to a lightweight moisturizer.

The formula is built around rice extract and grain-derived ingredients, fitting naturally into Beauty of Joseon's broader philosophy of combining traditional Korean-inspired ingredients with contemporary cosmetic formulations.

The Texture

Creamy, smooth and relatively lightweight.

It spreads easily without feeling like you're applying a conventional beach sunscreen.

That's a large part of its appeal.

For someone who dislikes having an obvious layer of sunscreen sitting on the skin, Beauty of Joseon offers an exceptionally approachable texture.

The Finish

Natural to softly dewy.

It's not completely matte, but it generally doesn't produce the intensely glossy finish associated with some hydrating Korean sunscreens.

That makes it particularly easy to wear on its own or underneath makeup.

Who We'd Recommend It For

Normal skin, combination skin, people who dislike heavy sunscreen and anyone looking for an easy everyday formula.

Our Take

The crowd-pleaser.

If someone asked us to recommend a Korean sunscreen without telling us much about their preferences, Beauty of Joseon would be one of the easiest places to start.

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream

The Hydration Lover's Pick

Round Lab approaches sunscreen with a slightly different personality.

Its famous Birch Juice line is built around birch sap, and the Moisturizing Sun Cream feels very much like an extension of a hydration-focused skincare routine.

Where Beauty of Joseon aims for effortless everyday wear, Round Lab feels especially appealing when your skin wants moisture.

The Texture

Smooth, creamy and moisturizing.

Despite the richer skincare feel, it remains elegant compared with many traditional sunscreen formulas.

It feels less like applying a separate sunscreen step and more like finishing your morning routine with a moisturizing cream that happens to provide sun protection.

The Finish

Dewy and hydrated.

If your idea of beautiful skin is fresh, juicy and luminous, this is likely to be the more appealing of the two.

If you're already very oily or prefer a matte complexion, however, that extra glow may not be what you're looking for.

Who We'd Recommend It For

Normal-to-dry skin, dehydrated skin and anyone who prioritizes a comfortable, moisturized finish.

Our Take

The one we'd reach for when skin feels dry.

Particularly during colder months, Round Lab's moisturizing character becomes a genuine advantage.

Beauty of Joseon vs. Round Lab: Category by Category

Best Texture: Beauty of Joseon

Our pick: Beauty of Joseon

This is subjective, but Relief Sun's almost moisturizer-like texture makes it exceptionally easy to incorporate into a morning routine.

It feels uncomplicated.

And when it comes to sunscreen, that's important: the formula you're comfortable applying consistently is usually the better choice.

Best for Dry Skin: Round Lab

Our pick: Round Lab

This is Round Lab's territory.

The Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream makes the most sense for someone who frequently finds sunscreen isn't moisturizing enough.

For very dry skin, we'd still use moisturizer underneath when needed—but Round Lab gives you considerably more of that skincare-like comfort.

Best for Combination Skin: Beauty of Joseon

Our pick: Beauty of Joseon

The slightly more balanced finish gives Beauty of Joseon an advantage here.

Combination skin can be difficult: enough hydration for dry areas can mean too much shine through the T-zone.

Relief Sun tends to occupy a comfortable middle ground.

Best Under Makeup: Beauty of Joseon

Our pick: Beauty of Joseon

Both can work beautifully under makeup, but Beauty of Joseon's relatively balanced finish gives it a slight edge.

It creates a comfortable base without adding quite as much dewiness.

If your foundation tends to become shiny during the day, that difference can matter.

Best for a Dewy Finish: Round Lab

Our pick: Round Lab

Easy.

Round Lab gives skin the kind of moisturized luminosity many people specifically seek from Korean skincare.

If “glass skin” is part of your morning objective, this is the more natural fit.

Best for Winter: Round Lab

Our pick: Round Lab

Cold weather, indoor heating and low humidity can completely change how sunscreen feels.

A formula that seems too moisturizing in July can suddenly feel perfect in January.

That's when we'd be especially tempted by Round Lab.

Best for Summer: Beauty of Joseon

Our pick: Beauty of Joseon

The lighter-feeling finish gives Relief Sun our vote for warm weather.

That doesn't make it a mattifying sunscreen—but between these two, it's the one we'd be more inclined to reach for on a hot morning.

What About White Cast?

One reason Korean chemical sunscreens became internationally popular is their ability to deliver high protection without the obvious chalky appearance traditionally associated with some sunscreen formulas.

Both of these products became popular partly because of their elegant application.

That said, every complexion is different, and finish can vary depending on the amount applied, skincare underneath and makeup layered over the top.

Which One Feels More Like Skincare?

Round Lab.

But Beauty of Joseon isn't far behind.

That's really the defining feature of this entire comparison.

These aren't sunscreens that happen to contain a few skincare ingredients so they can say so on the packaging.

They belong to a generation of Korean sun-care products designed to make SPF feel like a natural continuation of skincare.

And that has changed consumer expectations considerably.

Can Oily Skin Use Either?

Potentially—but we'd be more inclined toward Beauty of Joseon between these two.

Neither would be our first recommendation for someone specifically seeking an ultra-matte sunscreen.

If your skin produces significant oil throughout the day, your moisturizer, makeup and climate will also influence how either sunscreen ultimately looks.

One useful trick: if your sunscreen already provides enough hydration, you may not need a heavy moisturizer underneath it.

What We'd Choose by Skin Type

There's One Important Catch

If you're shopping for Korean sunscreen internationally, check which version you're buying.

Sun-care products can differ by market because sunscreen regulations aren't identical around the world. A product sold officially in one country may not necessarily have the same formula, filters, claims or even product name as the Korean domestic version you've seen online.

This matters particularly when a product has gone viral.

Don't assume two packages that look similar are necessarily identical.

Always check the exact product information for the version available in your market.

The Verdict

There isn't a dramatic winner here.

And that's actually what makes this comparison useful.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is our pick for versatility. Its comfortable texture and balanced finish make it an exceptionally easy everyday sunscreen.

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream is our pick for hydration. If your skin frequently feels dry or you love a dewy Korean-skincare finish, we'd choose it instead.

So our decision would be surprisingly simple:

Dry and dewy? Round Lab.

Lightweight and versatile? Beauty of Joseon.

Sometimes the difference between two cult products isn't which one is better.

It's which one feels better on your skin.