If you've spent any time in the Korean skincare world, you've met Beauty of Joseon's sunscreens. The original Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics became a genuine phenomenon — over 25 million units sold and a permanent spot in countless routines. So when the brand released Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5, the obvious question followed: do you actually need both, and which one belongs in your bag?
Having looked closely at the formulas, finishes, and who each one is built for, here's the honest breakdown.
What they have in common
Before the differences, it's worth saying these two are siblings, not strangers. Both are:
- Chemical (organic) sunscreens rated SPF 50+ PA++++ — the highest UVA/UVB protection rating you'll find.
- Built on a base of rice extract (around 30%), prized for brightening, amino acids, and antioxidants.
- No white cast. Both disappear into the skin and play nicely under makeup for most people.
- Lightweight and fast-absorbing compared to the heavy, greasy sunscreens of the past.
One important caveat for both: these are cosmetic sunscreens, not water-resistant sport formulas. They're not designed to hold up through swimming or heavy sweating, so reapply after water or a serious workout.
The original: Relief Sun — Rice + Probiotics
This is the cult favourite, and for good reason. The hero additions here are probiotics, which help support and balance the skin barrier and microbiome, alongside niacinamide, vitamin E, and glycerin.
Texture and finish: Light but distinctly creamy. It melts in and leaves a soft, dewy, almost glowy finish — the kind of look that can subtly even out and "tone up" the complexion.
Skin feel: Comfortable, nourishing, hydrating. It's the one that feels like skincare as much as sun protection.
Best for: Dry, normal, or sensitive skin, and anyone who loves a luminous, hydrated finish. It shines in cooler weather and on skin that drinks up moisture.
One thing to watch: Because it's richer and dewier, some people with oily skin find it can pill or "roll" under heavy makeup. If that's been your experience, the next one was practically made for you.
The newcomer: Aqua-Fresh — Rice + B5
The Aqua-Fresh swaps probiotics for Vitamin B5 (panthenol), which soothes redness and calms irritation, and reportedly leans on rice seed water rather than the creamier rice base of the original.
Texture and finish: Much more fluid and watery. It absorbs almost instantly, delivers a noticeable cooling sensation, and dries down to a refreshingly semi-matte finish that still feels hydrated — not tight or stripped.
Skin feel: Ultra-light and breathable. It genuinely feels like it vanishes. The more liquid texture even comes with a more precise applicator tip.
Best for: Oily and combination skin, and anyone reaching for sunscreen in hot, humid weather. If "lightweight and fresh" is your non-negotiable, this is the pick.
Side-by-side, at a glance
| Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics | Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | SPF 50+ PA++++ | SPF 50+ PA++++ |
| Hero ingredient | Probiotics + rice extract | Panthenol (B5) + rice |
| Texture | Light, creamy | Watery, fluid |
| Finish | Dewy, glowy | Fresh, semi-matte |
| Feel | Nourishing, hydrating | Cooling, weightless |
| Best skin type | Dry / normal / sensitive | Oily / combination |
| Best season | Cooler months | Warm, humid weather |
"But it's always cloudy in Vancouver" — why you still need SPF
Let's settle the most Canadian objection of all. Living in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, or anywhere on the rainy West Coast does not get you off the hook for sunscreen. UVA rays — the ones responsible for aging, pigmentation, and long-term skin damage — penetrate cloud cover and even glass, which means your skin is exposed on the greyest, drizzliest February morning just as it is on a rare blue-sky July afternoon.
That's exactly why a sunscreen you genuinely enjoy wearing matters so much in a climate like ours: the goal is daily, year-round protection, not a once-a-summer ritual. Both of these formulas are light and comfortable enough to make that realistic. Rain or shine, SPF is the step you don't skip.
A quick local bonus: Vancouver winters are brutally drying thanks to indoor heating, so the dewier original Relief Sun tends to shine here from October through spring, while the Aqua-Fresh comes into its own during humid Okanagan road trips and those few precious weeks of real Canadian summer.
So which should you buy?
Honestly, you can't go wrong — both deliver excellent protection with skin-loving ingredients. It really comes down to texture preference and skin type:
- Reach for Relief Sun if you want a nourishing, glowy finish and your skin runs dry, normal, or sensitive.
- Reach for Aqua-Fresh if you want something weightless and cooling, especially for oily or combination skin or sticky summer days.
A lot of people end up keeping both — the original for winter and no-makeup glow days, the Aqua-Fresh for summer and under a full face. If you're unsure, grabbing a miniature or sample of each is the smartest way to find your match.
Whichever you choose, the real win is the same one dermatologists have been begging us to embrace for years: a sunscreen you'll actually want to wear every single day.
A quick note: this post is for general information. Patch-test new products and check the full ingredient list if you have known sensitivities.
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