Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++ Dupes & Cheaper Alternatives
From 503 Reddit threads · Updated October 7, 2026
Lightweight SPF 50+ for oily, combo skin; pills under makeup. The catch: pills hard on plenty of faces. Here's what Redditors reach for instead.
The short answer
Best Overall AlternativeWatery serum texture, not sunscreen goop · $4.23 · 15 ml
Best for Redness / IrritationMexoryl 400 for long-UVA defense · $19.79 · 50 ml
#1
Best Overall Alternative
- Size: 15 ml
- Price per ml: $0.28/ml (original $0.25/ml)
The why
One minus
Dewy finish can cross into shiny fast
Good forSensitive Skin, Dry Skin
Both recommended for Sun Protection; discussed alongside Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++ in 144 threads.
“It’s the only sunscreen that doesn’t break me out”
— Reddit, r/AsianBeauty
The original, at a glance
- Why people love it
- Lighter, more matte than the original
- Price
- $2.47 · 10 ml · $0.25/ml
#2
Best for Sun Protection
The why
A watery gel sunscreen that dries down fast and layers cleanly under makeup. Best for oily or combo skin that wants no white cast and hates heavy formulas. Dry, reactive, or eye-sensitive skin often hates the alcohol and fragrance.
One minus
Alcohol sting is a real thing
Good forOily Skin, Combination Skin
Both recommended for Sun Protection; discussed alongside Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++ in 77 threads.
“Literally the only fave sunscreen that doesn’t break me out”
— Reddit, r/30PlusSkinCare
#3
Best for Redness / Irritation
Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+
La Roche-Posay·Sunscreen
See alternativesMexoryl 400 for long-UVA defense
- Size: 50 ml
- Price per ml: $0.40/ml (original $0.25/ml)
The why
A fluid SPF 50+ built for brutal UVA days, especially if you care about tanning, hyperpigmentation, or tretinoin-era protection. It wears light and disappears fast, but the alcohol, fragrance, and eye sting are real for reactive skin.
One minus
Alcohol and fragrance sting reactive skin
Good forOily Skin, Dry Skin, Combination Skin
Both recommended for Sun Protection; discussed alongside Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++ in 25 threads.
“LRP Uvmune, because of Mexoryl 400 filter, which is the only filter that covers long UVA (380-400 nm).”
— Reddit, r/tretinoin
#4
Best for Acne
No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++
numbuzin·Sunscreen
See alternativesThin, serum-like SPF with no white cast
- Size: 50 ml
- Price per ml: $0.30/ml (original $0.25/ml)
The why
A lightweight chemical sunscreen with centella, licorice root water, houttuynia, niacinamide, and a pile of hyaluronic acid forms. It suits oily, combo, and sensitive skin chasing a natural finish, but some faces pill, sting, or turn shiny.
One minus
Pills hard on some skin, especially with reapplication or makeup
Good forSensitive Skin, Combination Skin, Dry Skin
Both recommended for Sun Protection; discussed alongside Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++ in 40 threads.
“SPF - Numbuzin #1 Clear Filter Sun Essence”
— Reddit, r/SkincareAddiction
Other alternatives worth a look
Matte-to-velvet finish under makeup · 345 mentions
Eye-FriendlyHeavy/Rich
Feels like a light moisturizer · 78 mentions
Alcohol-FreeNo White Cast
Sunscreen-primer hybrid that sits beautifully under makeup · 176 mentions
Gel TextureGentle
Ceramides plus centella for barrier support · 98 mentions
Alcohol-FreeNo White Cast
True matte, weightless finish · 167 mentions
Gel TextureNo White Cast
5% niacinamide for oil control · 277 mentions
GentleHyperpigmentation
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