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I’m a lifelong skincare obsessive; former Vogue magazine copy director; mom of two; and career writer with more than 15 years experience writing about beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle, so naturally, I’m stoked to be sharing my favorite finds here on The Quality Edit.
Unsurprisingly, I’m also a voracious beauty consumer, which means I love a casual five-to-eight step skin care routine: Cleanser, toner, essence, serum, Vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night (but not every night), moisturizer, under-eye cream, and, finally, sunscreen to start my day. That’s not including a hydrating face mask or my LED red light device. Phew.
Do you need that many steps? No. I just happen to be the kind of high-strung person who finds order and serenity in an elaborate skin care routine. Do you need sunscreen? Yes, you nine-billion percent need sunscreen if you have any interest in achieving and maintaining the kind of radiant, glass-skin visage your favorite influencers and celebrities are hawking all over social media. If you’ve been on the SPF train for a while, then I commend you. If you keep forgetting that final step, I can help you.
Like you, I don't want my sunscreen to leave a white cast. I rarely wear a full face of makeup, and when I do, it’s achieved through complicated calculus of blending and contouring. But thanks to ambitious chemists and product developers, sunscreen and makeup today have evolved, touting a host of skin care–focused ingredients. That’s why I started using Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++––and it’s not just the sun protection that keeps me coming back.
We like
- Gorgeous, dewy finish
- Absorbs easily with no greasiness
- Protects from both UVA and UVB
- Brightening and anti-aging benefits
- Improves skin texture & hydrates
We don't like
- Not sold at major U.S retailers like Sephora
- 50ml is the only size offering
- There are fakes; purchase from a qualified seller
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We don't like
We like
We don't like
We like
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What’s a PA Rating and Why Does It Matter?
I’m going to go ahead and say it: Sun care in the U.S. is not up to par with other countries in Asia and Europe. What most sets Korean sun care apart from products in the U.S is its skin care-like formulations (more on that later) as well as their UVA protection. That PA rating you won’t see on American sunscreens? That stands for Protection Grade Against UVA. BOJ’s four-plus rating (++++) means it's highly effective at protecting skin from UVA rays.
This is important because, while UVB rays lead to sunburns, UVA rays are the primary cause of sun-related aging, and can contribute to the development of cancer, as they penetrate skin at a cellular level. That’s a major reason we wear sunscreen in the first place. While the Sunscreen Innovation Act was passed in 2014 with intent to improve the quality and effectiveness of chemical sunscreens in America, unfortunately “broad spectrum” isn’t as broad as it should be, and U.S. SPFs are still lagging behind Europe and Asia due to different regulations and, frankly, more sophisticated formulations.
Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery has spoken at length about sunscreens outside of the U.S. “In comparison to many U.S. sunscreens, Korean sunscreens often incorporate newer UV filters that might not yet be approved in the U.S. due to different regulatory processes,” she explains. “These advanced filters can offer better performance in terms of UV protection and cosmetic elegance. Additionally, Korean sun care products frequently emphasize hydration and skin-soothing ingredients, making them particularly suitable for sensitive skin.”
For skin care consumers who are especially particular like me (read: picky), we don’t ever want to sacrifice aesthetic for quality, which is another reason to snatch up this multi-functional sun serum. It can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine, and not just an obligatory step at the end.
Sun Care Is Skin Care
If you’ve heard of Beauty of Joseon already, you may know about Relief Sun: Rice and Probiotics (SPF 50+ PA++++). This seems to be the darling of the brand (hi, viral TikTok trends), though Beauty of Joseon offers a robust line of skin care. What users love about Relief Sun is its creamy yet lightweight texture and moisturizing benefit. As one of their ads put it: It’s like if sunscreen and moisturizer had a baby. Like several other Korean skin care brands, Beauty of Joseon uses rice extract, which is a mainstay in Korean skin care because of its richness in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
“One of the standout features of Korean sunscreens, including the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum, is their formulation,” says Dr. Kopelman. “Korean sun care products often focus on providing additional skincare benefits. For instance, this sun serum includes ginseng extract, which is rich in antioxidants and helps in brightening and nourishing the skin. The texture is also light and non-greasy, which encourages consistent use as it feels comfortable on the skin.”
In addition to the 30% ginseng extract, which helps diminish wrinkles and soothe and hydrate skin, Ginseng Moist Sun Serum also uses 2% niacinamide to improve skin texture and brightness. I love that this lightweight serum imparts a gorgeous glow that’s never sticky or greasy––and I’m taking care of my sun protection ASAP. A foolproof way to ensure I never forget.
There Is Still Hope For Your Sun-Damaged Skin
If reading this feels depressing because you have no interest in a 10-step morning routine or your sun damage is already off the charts, don’t fret. Dr. Kopelman gives us reasons to be optimistic.
“Regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreen can reduce the appearance of sun spots and prevent new ones from forming. Studies, like one published in the ‘Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,’ have shown that daily sunscreen use helps maintain skin appearance and prevent photoaging (AAD). Additionally, using antioxidant serums in conjunction with sunscreen can enhance skin protection and repair mechanisms.”
This, of course, depends on the extent of the damage, but she goes on to say that “incorporating sun protection and targeted treatments can greatly improve your skin’s health and appearance. Consistency is crucial for seeing the best results.”
Listen, I wasn’t always this diligent. I grew up in the Deep South, land of tanning beds and swimming pools. A place where women and girls might slather their limbs in baby oil for the purpose of baking beneath a relentless sun. I was tanning as a hobby before I could drive a car––and I’ve paid for it. Hyperpigmentation is my greatest skin issue.
As I neared 40, my carelessness all those years ago had become glaring. My skin was dull, less firm, and dry. Sun spots had cropped up across my face, and even though I’d get IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy, they’d continue to resurface every summer, seemingly no matter how diligent I was with my sunscreen application. That’s why I recommitted.
You’ve Got Nothing To Lose (Except Skin Elasticity, Firmness, and Radiance)
I get it, elaborate skin care routines aren’t for everyone. But sun protection is. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum is one of those unicorn products that doesn’t have much of a downside. Even if all you do is cleanse, apply sun serum, and finish with a moisturizer, you’re giving your skin a much-needed dose of hydration, brightness, and sun protection. And at an affordable price point of $21, there’s not much of an excuse.
Get brighter, smoother, sun-protected skin now with Beauty of Joseon.
