This guide compares the current official listings for Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Niacinamide, Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh : Rice + B5, and Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 50 Broad Spectrum. The better choice depends on the exact regional formula, your climate, makeup habits and tolerance for a dewy finish. Product details were rechecked against the brands’ official pages on October 16, 2026.
Important before you compare
Both brands now sell market-specific versions in some countries. Names, SPF labeling, UV filters and ingredient lists may differ between the Korean and international versions. Match the product name and ingredient panel on the box you are actually buying; do not rely only on an old review or marketplace photo.
Quick answer
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Niacinamide: creamy, moisturizer-like and best for normal-to-dry skin that enjoys a dewy finish.
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: lighter and more refreshing, with rice seed water and panthenol.
- Round Lab Birch Juice: a smooth, hydrating sunscreen that layers well under makeup and suits users who want a polished daily finish.
Comparison at a glance
| Feature | BOJ Rice + Niacinamide | BOJ Aqua-Fresh | Round Lab Birch Juice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texture | Creamy lotion | Lighter lotion | Silky moisturizing lotion/serum feel |
| Finish | Dewy | Fresh, less rich | Luminous and smooth |
| Best match | Normal, dry, dehydrated | Combination, humid weather, users who found the original rich | Normal, combination, makeup wearers |
| Hero story | Rice and fermented grain extracts | Rice seed water and panthenol | Birch juice plus hydrating and soothing ingredients |
| Main caution | Can feel rich on very oily skin | Still not a sport or waterproof sunscreen by default | Check the exact regional formula and personal sensitivity |
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: how the two versions differ
The product previously widely known as Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics is now named Relief Sun : Rice + Niacinamide on the current main brand listing. Beauty of Joseon still describes a creamy, lightweight moisturizer-like sunscreen with 30% rice extract and fermented-grain extracts. The brand positions it for normal-to-dry skin and a dewy finish; people with oily skin or those layering a rich cream underneath may prefer the lighter Aqua-Fresh version.
Aqua-Fresh is positioned as the lighter sibling. Beauty of Joseon lists rice seed water and panthenol among its key ingredients and describes it as more refreshing than the original. It is the more logical BOJ choice for warm weather or a layered morning routine.
Round Lab Birch Juice: where it stands out
Round Lab’s Birch Juice line emphasizes hydration and a smooth, easy-to-layer finish. The brand highlights birch juice and a formula intended to work comfortably under makeup. For many users, the real advantage is not a dramatic skincare claim but predictable daily wear: it spreads easily and avoids the heavy paste-like feel associated with some sunscreens.
Which is better under makeup?
Based on brand positioning, Round Lab is worth comparing when you want a smooth base, while BOJ Aqua-Fresh is an option if the original feels too rich. This is not evidence that either will pill less on your skin. Pilling is also affected by what sits underneath. Let skincare settle, use modest amounts of silicone-rich primer, and press foundation on instead of repeatedly rubbing.
Which is best for oily or acne-prone skin?
Start with Aqua-Fresh or a lighter Round Lab version, but remember that “non-comedogenic” is not a guarantee for every individual. Test the sunscreen for one to two weeks while keeping the rest of your routine stable. If you are using acne treatments, a bland moisturizer beneath sunscreen can reduce dryness and improve wear.
Which is best for dry skin?
The original Relief Sun is the most moisturizer-like option here. Round Lab is also hydrating and may feel more refined under makeup. In winter, either can sit over a barrier cream; in humid weather, the sunscreen itself may be enough as the final moisturizing step.
Verified formula snapshot: October 2026
- BOJ Rice + Niacinamide: the current official listing identifies a 50 mL sunscreen rated SPF50+ PA++++ and describes 30% rice extract with fermented-grain extracts. The rename does not make every regional package interchangeable, so match the name and ingredient list on your tube.
- BOJ Aqua-Fresh : Rice + B5: the official listing identifies a 50 mL SPF50+ PA++++ fluid with rice seed water and panthenol. Beauty of Joseon positions it as the lighter option for oily or combination skin and advises reapplication at least every two hours.
- Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock: the current US listing identifies a 50 mL SPF 50 Broad Spectrum sunscreen. Its listed US sunscreen actives are avobenzone, homosalate and octisalate. This is a region-specific US formula and should not be treated as identical to every Korean-market Birch sunscreen.
Protection and application matter more than the winner
- Apply sunscreen generously to face, ears and neck.
- Use it as the final skincare step before makeup.
- Reapply after sweating, wiping or prolonged outdoor exposure.
- For swimming or intense sport, choose a product specifically labeled water-resistant.
- Add shade, hats and protective clothing; sunscreen is one part of sun protection.
Build a repeatable wear test
Test each sunscreen on separate days with the same moisturizer, makeup and approximate outdoor schedule. Apply the amount recommended on the current label, allow it to set, and record four things after thirty minutes and again at midday: eye comfort, shine, pilling and visible settling around dry areas. A fair comparison cannot use a generous layer of one product and a thin cosmetic layer of the other.
Weather changes the result. A finish that feels elegant indoors may become heavy in heat, while a dewy cream can feel protective in a dry season. Repeat the test in the conditions where you will actually wear the product. If either formula causes persistent stinging or rash, stop using it rather than trying to force a winner.
Compare cost per protected day
Package price alone is misleading when tube size, shipping and required application amount differ. Divide the final delivered price by the volume, then consider how often you can apply the labelled amount and reapply when needed. A slightly more expensive sunscreen can be the better value if you use it consistently; a cheaper formula that you under-apply because you dislike the finish provides poor practical value. Browse our Sun Care guides for additional format and finish comparisons.
Final recommendation
Choose BOJ Rice + Niacinamide for a creamy, dewy daily sunscreen and normal-to-dry skin. Choose BOJ Aqua-Fresh when you want the lightest BOJ option for combination or oily skin. Choose Round Lab Birch UVLock when you are buying the current US SPF 50 formula and prioritize a smooth, hydrating finish under makeup. Buy from an authorized seller and verify the market-specific label, because the version matters as much as the brand name.
Related analysis: Compare another market-specific UV formula in our innisfree Daily UV Sunscreen Serum Korea vs US review.
Editorial note: This is a product-selection guide, not medical advice. Product formulas and availability can change. Check the current package and patch-test if your skin is reactive.
Official sources and version check
This guide compares published formula information and brand descriptions, not results from a controlled wear test. Beauty of Joseon now names its original formula Rice + Niacinamide on the current main listing. Round Lab’s current US UVLock listing is SPF 50 Broad Spectrum and uses a US-specific active-filter panel. Read the exact package for protection claims, directions and water-resistance status.