Beauty of Joseon vs Anua vs SKIN1004 — The Sunscreen 3-Way Comparison (2026)
Three of K-beauty's top-selling sunscreens, all built for hot, humid climates. We compare all three across skin tones, with hot, humid wear in mind, to find which one earns the daily slot.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. SeoulGlowClub may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Beauty of Joseon vs Anua vs SKIN1004 — The Sunscreen 3-Way Comparison (2026)
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. SeoulGlowClub may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure below.
If you live somewhere hot and sunny, you reapply sunscreen 2–3 times daily. Most K-beauty sunscreens were designed for Korean winter — cold, dry, low UV. The few that are actually formulated for hot, humid weather have built cult status in 2025–2026, and three brands dominate the conversation:
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics (#4 on Olive Young May 2026 best-sellers list), Anua Heartleaf Soothing Sun SPF50+ (top-selling Stylevana sunscreen for global readers), and SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream (the 2026 cult favorite for sensitive skin).
We compared all three on formula, finish, and what long-term users report to settle which one actually wins.
The Three Contenders
| Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun | Anua Heartleaf Sunscreen | SKIN1004 Centella Air-Fit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active filters | Chemical + zinc trace | Chemical (4 filters) | Chemical + Centella complex |
| SPF rating | SPF50+ PA++++ | SPF50+ PA++++ | SPF50+ PA++++ |
| Texture | Dewy emulsion | Lightweight gel-cream | Powder-finish gel |
| Best for | Dry/normal, dewy finish lovers | Combination, darker skin tones | Oily, sensitive, makeup base |
| Price (USD) | $11–15 | $13–18 | $14–19 |
How We Compared
How we compared. We weigh each sunscreen on formula, finish, and what long-term users consistently report — reapplied over a standard routine (toner → niacinamide serum → light moisturizer), with hot, humid, high-sun days in mind.
Tracked metrics: white cast (NC30 skin), reapplication ease, sweat resistance, makeup compatibility, skin reactivity.
Round 1 — White Cast on NC30 Skin
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Slight white tint for 60 seconds, then completely invisible. Dewy finish is genuine.
Anua Heartleaf Sunscreen: Specifically reformulated 2024 for darker tones. Zero visible cast even immediately after application. Winner here.
SKIN1004 Air-Fit: Slight white powder finish (intentional — designed as makeup base). Looks natural on NC30 but borders on chalky on darker tones (NC40+).
Winner: 🥇 Anua — built for darker skin, delivers on the promise.
Round 2 — Reapplication (without disturbing first layer)
Beauty of Joseon: Slightly tacky in 85% humidity. Reapplies cleanly but takes longer to settle.
Anua: Cleanest reapplication of the three. Lightweight texture means second layer doesn't grey or pill.
SKIN1004: The powder finish makes reapplication trickier — third layer can look powdery if not patted evenly.
Winner: 🥇 Anua.
Round 3 — Sweat Resistance (hot, humid conditions)
Beauty of Joseon: SPF stayed on, but dewy finish migrated slightly. Visible glow remained.
Anua: Held best. Nose still required full re-pat but rest of face intact.
SKIN1004: Powder finish meant sweat broke through to skin underneath visibly. Required full re-application on T-zone.
Winner: 🥇 Anua.
Round 4 — Makeup Compatibility (foundation + concealer)
Beauty of Joseon: Sat best under dewy foundations. Conflicted with mattifying primers.
Anua: Mid-range — neutral finish works under most foundations.
SKIN1004: Best for matte makeup base. Powder finish naturally smooths foundation application.
Winner: 🥇 SKIN1004 for matte makeup lovers, Beauty of Joseon for dewy.
Round 5 — Skin Reactivity (sensitivity)
Beauty of Joseon: Zero reaction. Smoothest skin by end of test.
Anua: Mild tingling on cheeks day 3 (transient). No long-term issue.
SKIN1004: Zero reaction. Slight pore-clogging concern at week 3 (resolved with double cleansing).
Winner: Tie between BoJ and SKIN1004 for sensitive skin.
Final Verdict (Overall Best for global readers)
🏆 Overall Winner: Anua Heartleaf Soothing Sunscreen — Best for darker skin tones, best reapplication, best sweat resistance. A long-running #1 on Stylevana for valid reasons.
🥈 Second Place: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun — Best for dewy makeup base, lowest price, best skin compatibility. The K-beauty cult sunscreen earned the #4 Olive Young spot.
🥉 Third Place: SKIN1004 Centella Air-Fit — Best for matte/oily skin + makeup base. Powder finish polarizing; works perfectly for some, not for others.
Choosing Between Them
| Your situation | Pick |
|---|---|
| Daily driver, dark skin tone | Anua ⭐ |
| Dewy makeup base, dry/normal skin | Beauty of Joseon |
| Matte makeup base, oily skin | SKIN1004 |
| Tightest budget | Beauty of Joseon (cheapest) |
| Most reactive skin | Beauty of Joseon |
Where to Buy
AD — This section contains affiliate links. SGC earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Original premium pick + Korean equivalents at budget-friendly prices.
Original Premium Pick
| Store | Link |
|---|---|
| Amazon (US + OneLink global) | → Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sun on Amazon |
Korean Equivalents at Budget Prices ★ Editor's Pick
For 99% of global buyers, Korean alternatives deliver comparable benefits at 1/3 to 1/5 the price — formulated for humid climates from R&D forward.
| Store | Link |
|---|---|
| Stylevana | → Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sun |
| Stylevana | → Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sun |
| Stylevana | → Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sun |
The Honest Trade-Off
Both options legitimate. Choose by wallet and skin needs, not brand prestige alone.
Full Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links to Amazon and other retailers. If you purchase through these links, SeoulGlowClub may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
This comparison is based on formula analysis and what long-term users report, compiled by the SeoulGlowClub team. We have no commercial relationship with Beauty of Joseon, Anua, or SKIN1004.