You didn’t imagine it — your tube feels different. Beauty of Joseon quietly tweaked the Relief Sun formula, and nobody sent a press release.
The new version dries down faster but leaves a slightly dewier finish. That’s the whole ballgame right there.
Same SPF 50+ PA++++, same ~$18 price tag, but the texture is now a thinner, more watery gel-cream. The claim? “Improved skin barrier care” — which is marketing speak for “we changed the emulsifiers.”
Fast Absorption
Gone is the 10-minute wait — this sinks in under 60 seconds, no white cast.
New Finish
Satin-dewy, not flat matte. It looks like skincare, not sunscreen.
Pilling Resistance
Layers better under makeup than the old version. No weird balling on the nose.
Photo: Denis / Unsplash
Rice extract is still the star, but they boosted the probiotics and swapped in a lighter silicone. It feels less greasy on the T-zone, more hydrating on the cheeks.
- Rice Extract: Brightens and calms redness
- Probiotics: Supports skin barrier against pollution
- Niacinamide 2%: Fades dark spots, controls oil
- Squalane: Lightweight moisture that doesn’t clog
Photo: Oleksandr Brovko / Unsplash
First pump: it’s runnier — think melted lotion, not thick cream. It glides on like a primer, and there’s a faint citrus scent that fades in 5 seconds.
Two weeks in, my combo skin is less shiny by 3 PM. But my dry-eyed friend says it stings slightly — the new preservative system is no joke for sensitive eyes.
Photo: Herbert Goetsch / Unsplash
My pores look smaller by noon, and no new breakouts. But the old formula’s “glow from within” is now more “glossy highlight” — a subtle shift you’ll notice in photos.
Photo: Elsa Olofsson / Unsplash
The reformulation is a lateral move, not an upgrade. It’s better for oily skin, worse for dry — and that’s a fair trade for most.