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.
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Beauty of Joseon vs Anua vs SKIN1004 — The Sunscreen 3-Way Comparison (2026)
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.
Short answer: For most readers in hot, humid weather — especially on deeper skin tones — Anua Heartleaf wins overall on no white cast, clean reapplication, and sweat resistance. Pick Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun for the lowest price and a dewy makeup base, or SKIN1004 Air-Fit for a matte finish under makeup on oily skin.
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of the three is best for dark skin tones?
Anua Heartleaf. It was reformulated in 2024 specifically for deeper tones, and long-term users consistently report zero visible white cast.
Which one is the cheapest?
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun, at roughly $11–15 — the lowest of the three and part of why it holds a top-5 Olive Young spot.
Which works best under matte makeup?
SKIN1004 Centella Air-Fit. Its powder finish smooths foundation, though some users find it faintly chalky on the deepest tones.
Are these real sunscreens or just skincare with SPF?
All three carry an SPF50+ PA++++ rating and use modern chemical UV filters. They are full-protection sunscreens formulated to feel like lightweight skincare.
Where to Buy
Korean Picks 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: Rice + Probiotics |
| Stylevana | → Anua Heartleaf Soothing Sunscreen |
| Stylevana | → SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream |
Also on Amazon
| Store | Link |
|---|---|
| Amazon (US + OneLink global) | → Beauty Of Joseon Relief Sun on Amazon |
The Honest Trade-Off
Both options legitimate. Choose by wallet and skin needs, not brand prestige alone.
Related on SeoulGlowClub
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics — full review
- Beauty of Joseon vs Round Lab vs SKIN1004 — Korean sunscreens compared
- Best Korean sunscreens for sweaty, active days
- Best Korean sunscreens for oily and acne-prone skin in hot, humid climates
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun vs Matte Sun Stick — the showdown
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.