Versus

Sekkisei Skincare UV Defense Essence Gel SPF 50+ Versus Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF 50+

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Japanese Brand Japan
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on February 27, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances, oils and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Skincare UV Defense Essence Gel SPF 50+

Water

Skin Conditioning

Zinc Oxide

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconHelps fight Acne IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

Emollient
1 / 0

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial
Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF 50+

Water

Skin Conditioning

Oryza Sativa Seed Water

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant Icon

Dibutyl Adipate

Emollient

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Ethylhexyl Triazone

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.

This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.

On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.

Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.

Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.

This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Abrasive, Absorbent

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).

DHHB is well-liked for:

DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.

This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.

Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

When to use

3 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day
623 Routines
98% use in am
2% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sekkisei Skincare UV Defense Essence Gel SPF 50+ 43 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1)
mariahcid's avatar

Mariah Cid

5 months ago
Review

This sunscreen is very underrated, but I love love love this product!! It's so smooth and leaves no white overcast. It's feels great to wear under makeup without feeling like I put so much product on my face. I wish Sekkisei US sold this product in their catalogs, but this product in particular is found in Japan only.

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#oily

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF 50+ 45 ingredients

3.9 /5
from 19 ratings
Light (13) Absorbs Well (12) Works Well (11)
ylannguyen's avatar

Y-Lan

7 months ago
Review

It’s my first Korean sunscreen and I am an amazed. It feels so much better on my skin compared to European sunscreens. I have acne-prone skin and this sunscreen without niacinamide is so light and fluid. It smoothes my skin and gives the effect of second skin. It is not sticky nor gives a oily effect.

#light
#absorbs well
#works well
anemone's avatar

anemone

6 months ago
Review

ok, i knew i’d love this, but still… how did they make such a lightweight sunscreen without either alcohol or dimethicone? it’s even more lightweight than the SKIN1004 blue pump sunscreen. zero white cast at all (granted, i have fair skin), and absorbs just as quickly as any alcohol sunscreen. LOVE IT!
however, the only bad thing is that it’ll pill when i also use SKIN1004 Poremizing Ampoule. so Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well