The Verdict
This is a textbook case of hype hijacking. The RELIEF SUN sunscreen leverages packaging nearly identical to the cult-favorite Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun to capitalize on a massive TikTok trend. However, user reviews confirm it fails to deliver on the single most important promise of the viral original: a lightweight, invisible finish. While it may function as a basic SPF, its primary flaw is deception. It promises the performance of a beloved Korean formula but delivers the exact opposite—a noticeable white cast—making it a frustrating and misleading purchase for anyone chasing the TikTok hype.
The core issue isn't just performance; it's intent. This product's packaging is designed to be confused with the real Beauty of Joseon sunscreen, leading to widespread disappointment among buyers.
What Went Viral
With over 20 million views, the real Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics became a holy grail product on TikTok. Creators and users celebrated its revolutionary texture—a lightweight, serum-like cream that absorbs instantly without a greasy residue or the dreaded white cast common in mineral sunscreens. It was lauded as the sunscreen for people who hate sunscreen, feeling more like a hydrating moisturizer that sits perfectly under makeup. This viral wave created a massive demand for a cosmetically elegant, comfortable daily SPF, a demand that imitators like RELIEF SUN are now exploiting.
What the Comments Actually Say
The evidence for this product is split between the dupe and the original it copies. For the RELIEF SUN product itself, the Amazon reviews are revealing. The top critical review cuts straight to the point: "I bought this thinking it was Beauty of Joseon - the packaging looks exactly the same. It is NOT. It left a white cast over my entire face and I had to wash it off." Even the top positive review confirms the core issue, stating, "The down side of this product is that it is veryyy white if your skin tone is more on the darker side I wouldn’t recommend it!"
This stands in stark contrast to the online discourse about the authentic Beauty of Joseon product. Reddit users in r/AsianBeauty and r/AustralianMakeup praise the original for its seamless blend and confirmed SPF ratings from independent labs. However, even the real product isn't without flaws. Some Reddit commenters in r/SkincareAddiction have reported issues, describing a "glue-like" texture, an "awful reaction" causing redness and breakouts, and even getting sunburnt after short exposure. Others with oily skin find its dewy finish can become greasy throughout the day. This mixed sentiment for the original makes the dupe's failure even more pronounced; it doesn't even clear the bar set by the product it's imitating.
Technical Comparison
The promise of modern Korean sunscreens, led by products like Beauty of Joseon, is the use of advanced chemical filters that provide high SPF and PA++++ protection without the cosmetic drawbacks of older formulas. They aim for a lightweight, hydrating vehicle that feels like skincare. Traditional Western sunscreens, particularly mineral-based ones, often rely on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are effective but notoriously difficult to formulate without leaving a thick, chalky film on the skin.
The RELIEF SUN product, despite its Korean-inspired branding, appears to suffer from the classic white cast issue. This suggests its formulation is a significant step down from the advanced, cosmetically elegant formula that made the original Beauty of Joseon go viral.
The Catch
The entire premise of this product is a bait-and-switch. You are buying a product that looks like the TikTok-famous Beauty of Joseon sunscreen, but you are receiving a different formula that does not share its most celebrated characteristic: the lack of a white cast. The viral hype is for a completely different product, and this one is simply riding its coattails.
