Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun vs Skin1004: Sunscreen Showdown
Two Sunscreens, One Verdict
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun and the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Sun Cream are the two most-discussed K-beauty sunscreens of the past two years. Both are chemical sunscreens with elegant textures, both sit in the same price bracket, and both have devoted followings on skincare forums. But they are not interchangeable — and choosing the wrong one for your skin type is a common and frustrating mistake.
We’ve tested both extensively. Here’s exactly how they compare across every dimension that matters.
Formulation and Active Ingredients
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun uses a hybrid filter system combining Uvinul A Plus (diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate) and Uvinul T 150 (ethylhexyl triazone) for UVA and UVB protection respectively. This combination is common in European and Asian sunscreens and is considered gentler on sensitive skin than older chemical filters like avobenzone or oxybenzone.
The supporting cast is where this sunscreen earns its reputation. Rice extract provides antioxidant protection and a subtle brightening effect. Probiotic ferments strengthen the skin barrier over time. Niacinamide at a meaningful concentration addresses hyperpigmentation. This isn’t just a sunscreen — it’s a skincare product that happens to provide SPF 50+ PA++++.
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Sun Cream
Skin1004 uses a similar hybrid filter system but centers its formula around centella asiatica — specifically the Madagascar-sourced centella that the brand has built its entire identity around. Centella is one of the most researched calming ingredients in dermatology, with evidence supporting its role in reducing inflammation, accelerating wound healing, and strengthening the skin barrier.
The ampoule designation is meaningful here. The base is closer to an essence than a cream, which affects both texture and how it layers under other products. It also contains madecassoside and asiaticoside — the specific active compounds within centella that drive its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Texture and Application
This is where the two sunscreens diverge most clearly, and where your skin type becomes the deciding factor.
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun has a lightweight lotion texture that goes on slightly white and then blends down to a natural finish within 30 seconds of buffing. There is a very faint cast on deeper skin tones that disappears with skincare layered on top. The finish is somewhere between matte and dewy — it controls shine moderately without looking flat.
The Skin1004 is genuinely watery — almost serum-like — and applies more like an essence than a traditional sunscreen. It blends immediately with zero white cast on any skin tone. The finish is dewy, almost glassy, which reads as luminous on dry skin and can read as shiny on oily skin without a mattifying layer on top.
Skin Type Compatibility
Oily and Combination Skin
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun performs better for oily skin. The slightly thicker lotion texture sits more stably on skin that produces excess sebum, and its moderate mattifying effect extends the window before midday shine appears. The niacinamide content also provides ongoing benefit for sebum regulation with daily use.
The Skin1004 on oily skin requires a mattifying primer or setting powder on top to prevent a greasy finish by midday. Without that step, the dewy finish can become problematic in humid conditions or for high-sebum skin types.
Dry and Sensitive Skin
The Skin1004 wins decisively for dry and sensitive skin. The watery texture doesn’t tug or pill on dry skin the way richer sunscreens can, and the centella-heavy formula actively calms reactivity while protecting against UV damage. For rosacea-prone or eczema-prone skin, the anti-inflammatory profile of this sunscreen makes it genuinely therapeutic rather than just protective.
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is also appropriate for sensitive skin — the probiotic and rice formula is gentle — but it doesn’t match the Skin1004’s calming efficacy for actively inflamed or reactive skin.
Combination Skin
Combination skin can go either way depending on where the dominant concern lies. If your T-zone oiliness is the primary issue, the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is the safer choice. If your cheeks run dry or you have sensitivity, the Skin1004 is more comfortable to wear all day.
White Cast and Skin Tone Compatibility
Both sunscreens perform well on lighter and medium skin tones with no meaningful white cast once fully blended. The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun has a marginally more visible initial cast that disappears within 30 seconds of application. The Skin1004 blends invisibly on application with no cast at any stage.
On deeper skin tones, the Skin1004 is the clear winner. The watery formula leaves no trace of white regardless of skin tone, making it a genuinely universal option. The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun can leave a subtle brightening cast on very deep skin tones that reads as ashy in certain lighting conditions.
Layering and Compatibility
Both sunscreens layer well under makeup, but they behave differently with what comes before them in a routine.
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun layers smoothly over most moisturizers and doesn’t pill with most foundations. Its slightly richer texture creates a good base for makeup adhesion. However, it can ball up over silicone-heavy products — avoid layering it directly over primers containing dimethicone.
The Skin1004 layers over almost everything without issue, including silicone products. Its watery texture absorbs into the previous layer rather than sitting on top. The tradeoff is that it can break down faster under heavy makeup due to the lightweight base. Available on Amazon alongside the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun.
Reapplication
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours of UV exposure — a rule that most skincare enthusiasts acknowledge and most people don’t follow. Both of these sunscreens are among the most pleasant to reapply of any sunscreen at their price point, which matters practically.
The Skin1004’s watery texture makes it genuinely easy to pat over makeup without disrupting it. The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun requires slightly more blending on reapplication and can move makeup if applied too generously. For those who actually reapply, the Skin1004 has a practical advantage here.
Value and Availability
Both sunscreens sit in the $15–$20 range for a 50ml tube, which is exceptional value for hybrid filter sunscreens with active skincare ingredients. They are both widely available through Amazon, YesStyle, and Soko Glam, with consistent stock and no grey market concerns.
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun has been available longer and has wider distribution, making it easier to find in a hurry. The Skin1004 occasionally sells out during peak periods but restocks reliably.
The Verdict
These are both excellent sunscreens and either would be a strong choice. The decision should come down to your skin type and primary concerns rather than which one is objectively better — because neither is objectively better.
Choose the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun if you have oily or combination-oily skin, want a subtle mattifying effect, value the niacinamide and brightening benefits, or prefer a slightly more traditional sunscreen texture that wears stably under makeup throughout the day.
Choose the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Sun Cream if you have dry, sensitive, or reactive skin, want zero white cast on any skin tone, prefer a dewy finish, have rosacea or active inflammation, or prioritize easy reapplication over makeup.
If you’re genuinely undecided, buy the Skin1004 first. Its universal texture and zero cast make it the lower-risk starting point, and the centella formula provides active skincare benefit that goes beyond protection. Both are available on Amazon with Prime shipping.
*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon Associates. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.*
