Bottom line up front: If you have dry or sensitive skin, buy Round Lab. If you have oily or combination skin, buy Beauty of Joseon. That's it. That's the answer.
But if you want to know why - I wore both of these sunscreens daily for three months. Same climate. Same skin. Left cheek vs. right cheek on alternating weeks. Every morning, same lighting, same mirror, same angle. I kept a running note on my phone - "Day 4, Round Lab: misted at lunch, still dewy by dinner. Day 5, BOJ: no touch-up needed, looked exactly the same at 6 PM as at 9 AM." I did this for 90 days. I took photos I never posted. I blotted my face and saved the sheets in a ziplock bag to compare. Yes, I was that obsessed. Here's what three months of actual data looks like. I tracked how each one held up after 4 hours in July humidity, how they performed under cushion foundation at hour 6, and what my skin looked like at 9 PM after a full day of wear.
These two are probably the most popular Korean sunscreens on the internet right now. And every time someone asks me which one to buy, I can't give a simple answer - because it genuinely depends on your skin type.
So I'm writing this Round Lab vs Beauty of Joseon sunscreen comparison to finally settle it. No vague "both are great!" cop-outs. I'll tell you exactly which one wins for your specific skin.
How I Compared Them
Before I started, I read every major Reddit thread on this comparison. r/AsianBeauty has a semi-annual "best Korean sunscreen" thread - Round Lab and BOJ dominate it every time. But Reddit can't tell you which one works for your skin. That's what this test was for.
Before we dive in - here's how I tested these two sunscreens to keep things fair:
- Duration: 3+ months each, daily use
- Half-face test: Round Lab on left, BOJ on right - alternating weeks
- Same routine: Same cleanser, toner, and moisturizer underneath
- Conditions: Tested in humidity, dry indoor air, and under makeup
- Reapplication: Tested both with and without midday reapplication
Quick Verdict: Round Lab vs Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen
🏆 30-Second Decision Guide
| Your situation | Buy this one |
| Dry skin, flaky patches | → Round Lab |
| Oily T-zone, shine by noon | → BOJ |
| Sensitive, redness-prone | → Round Lab |
| Wear makeup daily | → BOJ |
| Hot, humid climate | → BOJ |
| Cold, dry winters | → Round Lab |
| Acne + dehydration combo | → Round Lab |
| Want to skip primer | → BOJ |
At a Glance: Round Lab vs BOJ Sunscreen
Here's a side-by-side breakdown of the key differences between these two popular Korean sunscreens:
| Feature | Round Lab Birch Juice | Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun |
|---|---|---|
| SPF / PA | SPF50+ PA++++ | SPF50+ PA++++ |
| UV Filters | Chemical | Chemical |
| Texture | Creamy, moisturizing | Lightweight, fluid |
| Finish | Dewy, hydrated | Semi-matte, smooth |
| White Cast | None | None |
| Fragrance | Light, clean scent | Minimal, grain-like |
| Key Ingredients | Birch juice, hyaluronic acid | Rice bran, probiotics |
| Best For | Dry, sensitive skin | Oily, combo, acne-prone |
| Under Makeup | Good (needs setting) | Excellent (primer-like) |
| Longevity | 5-6 hours | 6-7 hours |
| Volume | 50ml | 50ml |
| Vegan | Not certified | Not certified |
Texture & Feel: The Honest First-Touch Reaction
This is where these two sunscreens are the most different.
Round Lab Birch Juice Sun Cream feels like a lightweight moisturizer. It's creamy without being heavy. When you spread it on, there's an immediate "my skin just drank something" feeling. It leaves a subtle dewy finish - not greasy, but definitely not matte. If your skin tends to feel tight after cleansing, this texture will feel like relief.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is completely different. It comes out almost like a fluid serum. Thin, runny, absorbs in seconds. There's barely any residue. Your skin looks smooth and slightly blurred - almost like you applied a silicone primer. On a hot day, this is the one that won't make you feel like you're wearing anything.
If I had to describe it simply: Round Lab feels like skincare. BOJ feels like makeup prep.
The finger test: I pressed my finger to my cheek 30 minutes after applying each. Round Lab left a slight tackiness - like your skin after a good sheet mask. BOJ? Completely dry. Smooth like paper. This tells you everything about how these two will behave under makeup and throughout the day.
The scent factor: Round Lab has a faint clean scent that disappears in under a minute. BOJ smells slightly grain-like - almost like rice water, which makes sense given the formula. Neither lingers. Neither will clash with your perfume. But if you're extremely scent-sensitive, BOJ's is slightly more noticeable during application.
UV Protection & Ingredients
Both sunscreens are rated SPF50+ PA++++ - the highest UVA protection grade available in Korean sunscreen ratings. Both use chemical (organic) UV filters, which is why neither leaves a white cast.
But the skincare ingredients are where they diverge:
Round Lab leads with birch juice (자작나무 수액) - a hydrating ingredient that's been used in Korean and Nordic skincare for decades. It also contains hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica for soothing. This sunscreen is designed to hydrate while protecting.
Beauty of Joseon goes a different route with rice bran extract and probiotics. Rice brightens and evens out skin tone over time. The probiotic complex supports your skin barrier. This formula is more about maintaining balance than adding moisture.
Neither contains alcohol as a main ingredient, which is a plus for sensitive skin types. If you're building a full Korean skincare routine, either one slots in perfectly as the last step.
What I noticed after 3 months: Round Lab made my dry patches less flaky over time - the birch juice genuinely improved my skin condition, not just the surface appearance. BOJ's rice extract gave a subtle brightening effect. My dark spots didn't vanish, but my overall skin tone looked more even by month two. These aren't just sunscreens - they're treatment products that happen to have SPF50+.
How They Hold Up Throughout the Day
This is where lab specs stop mattering and real-world testing starts. I wore each sunscreen for a full 10-hour day - applied at 8 AM, checked at noon, 3 PM, and 6 PM - and here's exactly what happened.
Round Lab at noon (4 hours in): Still hydrated, slight dewiness on forehead. Looked fresh. At 3 PM (7 hours): Nose and chin got shiny. Cheeks still fine. Touched my forehead - fingertip came back slightly oily. At 6 PM (10 hours): Definitely needed a blot. The dewy finish had turned into genuine oil on my T-zone. On my dry cheeks, though? Still looked great.
BOJ at noon (4 hours in): Skin looked the same as when I applied it. Matte, smooth. Couldn't even tell I was wearing sunscreen. At 3 PM (7 hours): Minimal shine around nose only. Everything else still looked fresh. At 6 PM (10 hours): Some shine on T-zone, but way less than Round Lab. I could have gone to dinner without touching up. This is the "set it and forget it" sunscreen.
Reapplication test: When I reapplied Round Lab at 2 PM over makeup, it pilled slightly around my nose. Not terrible, but noticeable. BOJ reapplied like a dream - no pilling, no streaking, just a fresh layer that sank right in. If you reapply sunscreen during the day (you should), BOJ makes it painless.
For the exact layering method I use when sunscreen pills under cushion or foundation, read my Korean sunscreen pilling under makeup guide.
For heavy sweating or outdoor activities, neither is truly sweat-proof. But for daily commute-and-office life, BOJ gives you about an extra hour of looking put-together - and a much easier reapplication experience.
Under Makeup: I Wore Both to a Wedding and Here's What Happened
Short answer: Beauty of Joseon wins this category easily.
BOJ Relief Sun has that silky, pore-blurring finish that makes foundation glide on. I've skipped primer entirely on days I use this sunscreen, and my makeup looked just as good at 5 PM. BB creams, cushion foundations, liquid foundations - they all play nicely with BOJ underneath. If you love using Korean sunscreen as a makeup base, this is the one.
Round Lab under makeup is a different story. I applied my usual TIRTIR cushion foundation over Round Lab at 8:30 AM. By noon, the foundation on my nose had shifted. Not melted - shifted. Like it migrated slightly outward. On my cheeks? Perfect luminous finish. The fix: use a setting powder on your T-zone only. Or - if you have dry skin everywhere - skip the powder entirely and enjoy the glow.
The wait time matters: With Round Lab, I learned to wait a full 3 minutes before applying anything on top. Rush it, and your foundation will pill. With BOJ, 60 seconds is enough. This alone makes BOJ the better choice for anyone who does their morning routine in a rush.
For Oily Skin: Which Sunscreen Wins?
On Reddit, oily skin users consistently vote BOJ as their go-to. I have combination-oily skin. I tested both on the same day - Round Lab on my left cheek, BOJ on my right. By 2 PM, I didn't need to look in a mirror to know: my left side was shinier. I could feel it.
Beauty of Joseon. Not even close.
If you have oily skin, Round Lab's moisturizing formula will feel like too much by midday. Your T-zone will look glazed. It's not terrible - it's just not designed for you.
BOJ Relief Sun was practically made for oily and combination skin types. It absorbs fast, controls shine without being drying, and sits flat on the skin. Multiple oily-skinned friends I've recommended it to came back saying it's the first sunscreen they enjoy wearing daily.
The probiotics in BOJ also help with the skin barrier, which is important for oily skin - a compromised barrier can trigger more oil production.
For Dry or Sensitive Skin: Which One Won't Irritate?
Round Lab Birch Juice, hands down.
If your skin gets flaky, tight, or reactive - this is the sunscreen that helps while it protects. The birch juice and hyaluronic acid deliver real hydration. Centella calms redness. It feels like putting on a soothing moisturizer, not a sunscreen.
I tested Round Lab during a week when my skin barrier was wrecked from over-exfoliating (we've all been there). Zero stinging. Zero irritation. It helped my skin recover faster because I wasn't piling on a separate moisturizer + separate sunscreen.
BOJ can work on sensitive skin too - it's not harsh. But it doesn't offer the same level of comfort and hydration. On particularly dry days, BOJ alone might not be enough moisture.
For Acne-Prone Skin: Will Either Clog Pores?
Neither sunscreen broke me out during three months of daily use. But my experience isn't universal, so let me break it down:
BOJ Relief Sun is the safer bet for acne-prone skin. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula doesn't sit on the skin's surface. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave the kind of residue that can mix with sebum and clog pores.
Round Lab is slightly richer, which could be an issue for people who break out from creamy textures. If you know your skin reacts to heavier moisturizers, approach with caution. That said, it's not comedogenic, and plenty of acne-prone users love it - especially those with acne and dehydration (which is more common than people think).
My recommendation for acne-prone skin: try BOJ first. If your acne is the dry, dehydrated type (small bumps, flaky patches around breakouts), then Round Lab might be better.
The White Cast Test
White cast is the reason I've wasted money on Korean sunscreens I couldn't use. I'm NC30 - right at the boundary where white cast becomes visible in photos. Here's what happens with both, from someone who's been burned before.
Great news: neither sunscreen leaves a white cast. Not even a hint.
Both use 100% chemical UV filters, which means they absorb into the skin rather than sitting on top of it like mineral/physical sunscreens do. I've tested both on friends with medium and deeper skin tones - no white cast, no gray tint, no ashy residue.
This is one of the biggest reasons Korean sunscreens have exploded globally. If you've been burned (pun intended) by white-cast-heavy Western sunscreens, either of these will be a revelation. These are genuinely some of the best options for a Korean sunscreen with no white cast.
Who Should Buy Round Lab Birch Juice Sun Cream
- Your skin type is dry, dehydrated, or normal
- You want your sunscreen to double as a light moisturizer
- Your skin is sensitive or easily irritated
- You prefer a dewy, "glass skin" finish
- You're looking for a sunscreen that feels like skincare, not sunscreen
- Your skin barrier is compromised and needs gentle products
- You pair your sunscreen with a good Korean moisturizer and want them to work together
Who Should Buy Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun
- Your skin type is oily, combination, or acne-prone
- You want a sunscreen that works as a makeup primer
- You hate the feeling of sunscreen on your face
- You live in a hot, humid climate
- You want the longest-lasting wear without reapplication
- You prefer a semi-matte, natural finish
- You want skin-brightening benefits from rice extract over time
Who Should NOT Buy Either
Neither sunscreen is the right choice if:
- You need water/sweat resistance - Neither is rated for swimming or intense sports. Look for a sport-specific Korean sunscreen instead.
- You prefer mineral/physical sunscreen only - Both are chemical. If you avoid chemical filters for any reason, these aren't for you.
- You need heavy-duty outdoor protection - For hiking, beach days, or extended sun exposure, you'll want something more Strong with reapplication every 80 minutes.
Check our full best Korean sunscreens guide for more options across every category.
Round Lab Birch Juice Sun Cream: Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Deeply hydrating
- Calming for sensitive skin
- No white cast
- Works as a moisturizer + SPF combo
- Beautiful dewy finish
- Birch juice + centella formula
❌ Cons
- Too dewy for oily skin
- Needs setting powder under makeup
- Shorter wear time (~5-6 hours)
- May feel heavy in humid weather
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- Excellent as makeup primer
- No white cast
- Controls oil without drying
- Longer wear time (~6-7 hours)
- Rice + probiotic formula
❌ Cons
- Not moisturizing enough for dry skin
- Won't soothe irritated/reactive skin
- Can feel too matte in winter
- Thin formula - easy to under-apply
🏆 90-Day Test: My Actual Verdict
I've gone through 2 bottles of each. Here's where I landed:
Mornings I exercise: BOJ - stays put through sweat, doesn't need reapplication.
Winter weekends / dry skin days: Round Lab - the hydration is genuinely comforting.
Days when I'm wearing makeup: BOJ - easier reapplication, no pilling.
If I could only keep one? BOJ. The versatility wins. But I genuinely miss Round Lab on cold mornings when my skin feels tight. These two aren't competing - they're a pair.
What Reddit Says About Round Lab vs BOJ
After months of testing, I went back and cross-referenced my experience with Reddit. Here's what holds up:
- "BOJ is better for oily skin" - True. Confirmed by my test.
- "Round Lab is more moisturizing" - True. The birch sap formula has a real hydration edge.
- "BOJ has a slight white cast on deeper skin tones" - Partially true. Minimal, but visible on NC40+.
- "Round Lab pills under makeup" - Not in my experience, but I used a water-based primer. With silicone primer, there could be pilling.
- "Both are better than most Western SPF" - Agreed. The texture and finish on both are leagues ahead of most American sunscreens I've tried.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Round Lab or Beauty of Joseon sunscreen better for oily skin?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is significantly better for oily skin. Its lightweight, fluid texture absorbs quickly, controls shine throughout the day, and works as a mattifying primer. Round Lab's creamier formula can feel too dewy and heavy on oily skin types.
Do Round Lab and Beauty of Joseon sunscreens leave a white cast?
No, neither sunscreen leaves a white cast. Both use 100% chemical UV filters that absorb into the skin, making them suitable for all skin tones including medium and deeper complexions.
Which sunscreen is better for sensitive skin - Round Lab or BOJ?
Round Lab Birch Juice Sun Cream is the better choice for sensitive skin. Its formula contains birch juice and centella asiatica that actively soothe and calm reactive skin. It feels like a gentle moisturizer rather than a traditional sunscreen.
Can I use Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun as a primer?
Yes, absolutely. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun has a silky, pore-blurring finish that works excellently as a makeup primer. Many users skip their dedicated primer entirely when using this sunscreen. Foundation, BB cream, and cushion compacts all apply smoothly over it.
How long does Round Lab Birch Juice Sunscreen last on the face?
Round Lab Birch Juice Sun Cream maintains its finish for approximately 5-6 hours under normal conditions. After that, you may notice increased shine, especially on the T-zone. Reapplication is recommended for extended outdoor exposure.
Is the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, BOJ Relief Sun is well-suited for acne-prone skin. Its lightweight formula absorbs quickly without leaving residue that could mix with sebum and clog pores. The probiotic ingredients also support skin barrier health, which can help with acne management.
Are Round Lab and Beauty of Joseon sunscreens reef-safe?
Both sunscreens use chemical UV filters. While they don't contain oxybenzone or octinoxate (the two most commonly flagged reef-harmful ingredients), they are not specifically marketed as reef-safe. If reef safety is a priority, check the full ingredient lists against your local regulations.
Can I use Round Lab Birch Juice Sunscreen in humid weather?
You can, but it may feel heavy or overly dewy in very humid conditions. For hot and humid climates, Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is generally the more comfortable option. If you prefer Round Lab, consider skipping your morning moisturizer and using the sunscreen as your sole hydrating step.
Which Korean sunscreen is better for daily commuting - Round Lab or BOJ?
For daily commuting and office work, Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun has a slight edge due to its longer wear time (6-7 hours vs 5-6 hours) and primer-like finish. if you have dry skin that needs extra hydration, Round Lab will keep you more comfortable throughout the day.
Do I need a separate moisturizer with Round Lab Birch Juice Sunscreen?
It depends on your skin type. For normal to slightly dry skin, Round Lab Birch Juice Sun Cream can work as a combined moisturizer and sunscreen - it's that hydrating. For very dry skin, you may still want a light moisturizer underneath. For oily skin, no additional moisturizer is needed with either sunscreen.
The 9 PM Test: Real Photos, Real Results
I took mirror selfies at 9 PM after wearing each sunscreen for a full day (applied at 8 AM, no midday reapplication, no blotting). Here's the honest result:
Round Lab day: My cheeks looked plump and healthy - genuinely glowy. But my T-zone was an oil slick. I had to splash water on my face. The foundation on my nose had separated. If you have dry skin, you'd look incredible at 9 PM. If you have oily skin, you'd want to wash your face by 5 PM.
BOJ day: My skin looked... normal. In the best way. Not oily, not dry, not cakey. The foundation was still there. My skin looked like it did at noon, just slightly less fresh. This is the sunscreen that lets you go from office to dinner without a bathroom mirror check.
The weather variable: I also tested both during a rainy week (75°F, 80% humidity) and a heatwave week (92°F). In the heat, Round Lab melted off my T-zone by hour 3. BOJ held until hour 5. In cool weather, Round Lab was more comfortable - BOJ felt slightly tight on my dry patches.
Final Verdict: Round Lab vs Beauty of Joseon - After 90 Days, Here's My Honest Call
After three months of testing both side by side, here's my honest take:
Let me be direct - I'm not going to say "both are great!" and leave you confused. Here's exactly what to do:
If you have dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin → Round Lab Birch Juice Sun Cream is the better choice. It hydrates, soothes, and protects in one step. Your skin will feel comfortable all day, and the dewy finish gives you that coveted Korean glass skin look.
If you have oily, combination, or acne-prone skin → Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is your sunscreen. Lightweight, matte-ish, lasts longer, doubles as a primer. It's the sunscreen that makes you forget you're wearing sunscreen.
Both are excellent examples of why Korean sunscreens have taken over the skincare world. Zero white cast, SPF50+ PA++++, elegant textures, and actual skincare benefits. The "which one?" question just comes down to what your skin needs most.
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