Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Aqua Fresh Sunscreen Review - A Deep Dive for Dark Skin

The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Aqua Fresh Sunscreen has been making waves in the skincare world, and I'm here to give you the lowdown, especially for my fellow dark-skinned beauties. We'll dissect the brand's promises, delve into the texture and application, and ultimately determine if this sunscreen deserves a spot in your routine.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's examine what Beauty of Joseon claims this sunscreen offers. Transparency is key, so I'm pulling directly from the product information:

• Lightweight: A heavy, greasy sunscreen is a no-go for most, and the brand promises a featherlight feel.
• Hydrating: Dry and combination skin types, rejoice! This sunscreen claims to boost moisture levels.
• Non-greasy: Oily skin? No problem. This formula is designed to keep shine at bay.
• Leaves no cast: This is a crucial factor, particularly for darker skin tones, and we'll be putting this claim to the ultimate test.
• Ideal for all skin types: While marketed for everyone, the brand seems to be targeting combination to oily skin, which aligns with my skin type, so I'm particularly intrigued to see how it performs.

I received this sunscreen as a PR sample from Beauty of Joseon, so a big thank you to them for the opportunity to share my honest review.

The packaging is pretty standard – a sleek, minimalist tube. However, the included leaflet is a valuable addition. It provides a comprehensive breakdown of the sunscreen's specifications, key features, and even includes some user reviews. The section that caught my eye is the description of the finish: "sheer semi-matte and darker skin friendly." Okay, Beauty of Joseon, you've set the bar high! The leaflet also helpfully compares this sunscreen to other sunscreens in their line, which is useful for those familiar with the brand.

Let's get to the heart of the matter – the sunscreen itself. Upon opening the tube, the first thing I noticed is the texture. This sunscreen is runny. Compared to other Beauty of Joseon sunscreens I've tried, this one is definitely the most liquidy.

Applying a small amount to the back of my hand, I used my fingers to blend it in. It absorbed quickly, and we'll let it air dry to see the true finish.

After a few minutes, comparing the sunscreened hand to my bare hand, there's a subtle difference. The bare hand appears slightly flatter and drier, while the hand with sunscreen looks more moisturized. Impressively, it's not greasy or shiny. It barely looks like I'm wearing anything, but there's a faint, almost imperceptible stickiness. It's not a gluey or unpleasant stickiness, but more akin to the feeling after applying a hydrating serum or moisturizer. So far, so good!

With a clean face and my usual skincare routine completed, it's time for the real test. While the leaflet recommends a specific measurement, I tend to eyeball it and use the amount that feels right for my face.

Applying the sunscreen, I noticed it spreads easily and blends seamlessly into the skin. Giving it a few minutes to dry down, my skin feels comfortable and not at all shiny. Checking the finish in natural light, it appears somewhere between skin-like and semi-matte. Some areas have a slightly powdery feel, while others feel completely bare, mimicking my natural skin texture.

The brand states this sunscreen is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and essential oil-free. Upon sniffing the product directly from the tube, I detected a very faint, almost plastic-y, plant-like scent. It's not overpowering and dissipates completely after application and drying down. This is a positive for those with sensitivities to fragrance.

As mentioned earlier, the brand emphasizes this sunscreen's suitability for darker skin tones. And I'm happy to report, it lives up to the hype! There's absolutely no white cast whatsoever.

This is a chemical sunscreen, and the UV filters include T150, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB), Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (BEMT), and Tinosorb S. The formula also boasts beneficial ingredients like rice water, panthenol, and glycerin, known for their hydrating and soothing properties.

Does it sting the eyes? Thankfully, no. I experienced no irritation around my eye area during application.

Does it pill? I initially noticed a tiny bit of pilling, but it disappeared with further rubbing. I'll continue to monitor this with continued use and update this review if anything changes.

I compiled some frequently asked questions about this sunscreen from my Instagram followers:

• Is it fragrance-free? While the brand claims it's fragrance-free, I did detect a faint plastic-y, plant-like scent. However, it's very subtle and dissipates quickly.
• Is it niacinamide-free? Yes, niacinamide is not listed in the ingredients.
• Is it Tinosorb M-free? Yes, which is excellent news for avoiding white cast.
• Is it a good base for makeup? I believe all sunscreens generally work well under makeup, but I'll test this specifically and share my findings in a separate post.
• Is it water-resistant or waterproof? The brand doesn't explicitly state this, and based on my initial impressions, I don't believe it is. I'll conduct a water-resistance test in a future post.

If you have any other burning questions, drop them in the comments below!

After wearing the sunscreen for a little over two hours, it's time for a check-in. Unfortunately, due to windy conditions, I couldn't assess the finish in natural light. Instead, I blotted one side of my face with a paper towel to compare the shine level.

The difference between the blotted and unblotted sides is noticeable. My T-zone, particularly my forehead, cheeks, and chin, are visibly shinier on the unblotted side. My nose also appears slightly more glowy. The blotted side, in contrast, is significantly less shiny.

After thoroughly testing this sunscreen, I believe it lives up to most of its claims. It's genuinely lightweight and comfortable to wear. While the brand promotes it for all skin types, some might find the slightly powdery finish less desirable. Personally, compared to other Beauty of Joseon sunscreens I've tried, I prefer the finish of this one. The lack of white cast makes it a winner for darker skin tones, and the minimal fragrance is a plus for sensitive skin.

I hope this in-depth review has been helpful! Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and if you'd like to see a comparison with other sunscreens, be sure to let me know which ones you're curious about.