Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun vs Round Lab Birch Sunscreen
These are the two Korean sunscreens everyone ends up choosing between — and here’s the twist: they use the same UV filters and both are fragrance-free SPF50+ PA++++. So this isn’t really “which protects better.” It’s about texture, finish and your skin type. Pick wrong and you’ll either feel greasy by noon or tight and flaky by lunch.
Last verified: June 2026. Sunscreen formulas can be reformulated — we re-check periodically.
Key takeaways
- Same protection, different feel. Both are fragrance-free SPF50+ PA++++ with the same filters — the choice is texture and finish, not strength.
- Beauty of Joseon = the versatile all-rounder. Lightweight, makeup-friendly, a finish between matte and dewy — best for normal-to-oily skin.
- Round Lab Birch = the dry/sensitive specialist. More emollient and deeply hydrating, with a “well-moisturized skin” finish — best for dry, dehydrated or reactive skin.
- Both are barrier-safe (fragrance-free), so neither will sting a compromised barrier — the deciding factor is how much moisture your skin wants.
- You can own both and rotate by season: Round Lab in winter, Beauty of Joseon in summer.
The short answer
Buy Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun if you have normal, combination or oily skin, wear makeup over it, or just want one crowd-pleasing daily SPF. Buy Round Lab Birch Juice if your skin is dry, dehydrated or reactive and you want a sunscreen that actively hydrates. Both are excellent and fragrance-free — there’s no wrong answer, only a better-for-you one.
At a glance
| Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun | Round Lab Birch Juice | |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | SPF50+ PA++++ (chemical) | SPF50+ PA++++ — same filters |
| Texture | Lightweight, slightly creamy | Watery but more emollient |
| Finish | Between matte and dewy | Natural, well-moisturized |
| Hydration | Comfortable, light | Deeply hydrating |
| White cast | Minimal (occasional on some) | None reported |
| Water resistance | Limited | Limited |
| Best for | Normal–oily, makeup wearers | Dry, dehydrated, reactive |
| Fragrance | Fragrance-free | Fragrance-free (faint natural birch) |
| Price | $ | $ |
What each one is
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun
Best All-Rounder Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
A lightweight, slightly creamy chemical sunscreen with rice extract and probiotics that leaves a natural finish sitting between matte and dewy. It’s the versatile, makeup-friendly crowd-pleaser — the safe recommendation for most skin types, and especially normal to oily.
Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
A watery-but-emollient sunscreen built on birch sap with niacinamide and allantoin, so it genuinely hydrates and soothes while it protects. The finish is “well-moisturized skin,” and it’s a standout for dry, dehydrated, reactive or rosacea-prone skin — with no white cast and no sting.
How they differ where it matters
Hydration and finish. This is the real split. Beauty of Joseon is light with a natural, makeup-friendly finish; Round Lab is noticeably more moisturizing, leaving skin looking nourished. Dry skin loves the Round Lab; oily skin tends to prefer the lighter Beauty of Joseon.
Oily vs dry skin. On oily skin Beauty of Joseon holds up reasonably but may need a midday blot in humidity; Round Lab’s richer feel can be too much. On dry skin Round Lab is “exactly right,” while Beauty of Joseon may not feel hydrating enough on its own.
White cast. Both are designed to absorb clear; Round Lab is consistently cast-free, while Beauty of Joseon shows a slight cast on some people. Neither is a problem for most skin tones.
Sensitive and barrier-compromised skin. Both are fragrance-free, so both are safe bets for a reactive barrier. Round Lab’s soothing birch-and-allantoin formula gives it a slight edge for actively irritated or rosacea-prone skin.
Water resistance. Neither is strongly water-resistant, so for swimming or heavy sweat you’ll want a dedicated sport SPF and frequent reapplication.
Which should you buy?
- Oily, combination or makeup-wearing → Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun.
- Dry or dehydrated skin → Round Lab Birch Juice.
- Reactive, rosacea-prone or barrier-compromised → Round Lab edges it (extra soothing), but both are fragrance-free and safe.
- You want one versatile bottle for most situations → Beauty of Joseon.
For the wider field — including mineral options for very reactive skin — see our best Korean sunscreens for sensitive skin, and where SPF fits in the routine in our fragrance-free Korean routine.
Can you use both?
Yes, and many people do. Because they share the same protection but differ on hydration, they make a natural seasonal pair: reach for Round Lab in winter or on dry, flaky days, and Beauty of Joseon in summer or when skin runs oilier. Rotating also means you always have a backup when one runs out mid-week.
FAQ
Beauty of Joseon or Round Lab — which sunscreen is better?
Neither is objectively better; they use the same filters and protection. Beauty of Joseon suits normal-to-oily skin and makeup wearers, while Round Lab suits dry, dehydrated or reactive skin that wants more hydration.
Do they use the same UV filters?
Yes — both are SPF50+ PA++++ chemical sunscreens using the same filter system. The difference is texture, finish and the supporting skincare ingredients, not the protection.
Which is better for oily skin?
Beauty of Joseon, thanks to its lighter texture and more makeup-friendly finish. Round Lab’s richer, more moisturizing feel can be too heavy for oily skin, especially in humidity.
Which is better for dry or dehydrated skin?
Round Lab Birch Juice — it’s genuinely hydrating and leaves a nourished finish, so it’s ideal when most sunscreens leave your skin feeling tight.
Do either leave a white cast?
Round Lab is consistently cast-free; Beauty of Joseon can leave a slight cast on some people but absorbs clear on most skin tones.
Are both fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. Both are fragrance-free, which is why they’re staples for sensitive, barrier-compromised skin. Round Lab’s soothing formula gives it a small edge for actively reactive or rosacea-prone skin.
The bottom line
You can’t really lose here: same protection, both fragrance-free, both bestsellers. Let your skin type decide — Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun for normal-to-oily, makeup-friendly everyday wear, and Round Lab Birch Juice for dry, dehydrated or reactive skin that wants hydration with its SPF. If in doubt, start with Beauty of Joseon; it’s the more universal of the two.