I've Finally Found It: A Non-Greasy SPF That Actually Works Underneath Makeup—and It's Only £16

As an editor with combination skin, dealing with oiliness is the bane of my beauty life. My complexion often leans on the shiny side (no matter how much powder and setting spray I use) and especially so now that we're entering the warmer months of the year. So I know exactly why some people might be reluctant to wear an SPF underneath their makeup. The idea of layering on another product seems counterintuitive when you're trying to combat oiliness underneath your foundation or skin tint, right? However, ask any dermatologist or skincare expert, and they'll tell you that wearing SPF daily is one of the best things you can do for your skin, and for that reason, I'm not willing to omit it from my skincare routine.

And after testing hundreds and hundreds of SPFs throughout my decade working as a beauty journalist, I've finally found one that looks and feels virtually weightless underneath my makeup and doesn't contribute to my midday shine either. And the best part? It comes in at under £20. Needless to say, I'm so glad I found the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPFs after seeing the K-beauty skincare brand all over my feeds. Scroll on for my full review of the two best SPFs I discovered in the past year.

Beauty of Joseon SPFs

The Formula

Whilst I'm a fan of Beauty of Joseon's Tinted SPF, there are two non-tinted, chemical-based sunscreens that I'm totally obsessed with: the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ and Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+. Truthfully, I love both formulas, but below are the key differences between them.

Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+

This TikTok-viral SPF is truly deserving of its hype. The SPF50+ formula is delivered in a soft, creamy lotion texture that melts weightlessly onto the skin on contact. Ingredients-wise, you'll find 30% rice extract, which includes vitamins B, C and E and amino acids alongside grain-fermented extracts that work as a probiotic for the skin.

I find this consistency hydrating enough to use in place of my moisturiser to help prevent any shiny situations throughout the day, but it's a great all-rounder for all skin types that crave hydration without the heaviness of most SPFs. It's best suited to dry or balanced skin types and is soothing and calming on sensitive skin, too. There's zero white cast, and it sinks in quickly, so you can go straight in with makeup if you want. I tend to go for this version in the colder seasons when my skin requires a bit more moisture in my routine.

Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+

This formula might be my favourite of the two, especially for the warmer months. It has an even lighter lotion consistency that sinks in immediately with a refreshing and water-like texture, making it a great SPF for oily skin. It quenches the skin with hydration but with no greasy residue, no white cast and not a hint of stickiness. I'd recommend this formula for those with more oily or combination skin types who want a virtually weightless SPF that sits well underneath makeup and won't exacerbate any shininess. It sinks in within seconds and doesn't pill underneath my makeup either.

The ingredients differ in this formula too,, which includes rice seed water and vitamin B5 to hydrate and moisturise without being too rich on the skin. It dries down to a totally non-sticky matte finish, and it sits well underneath makeup throughout the day. I usually switch to this formula when the weather warms up, and my makeup requires a lighter base.

The Application

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two formulas. They both sink in pretty fast, but I'd say that the Aqua-Fresh formula sinks in a little faster and the Rice + Probiotics formula feels more moisturising. However. both blend into a second-skin, non-greasy finish and don't leave any white cast behind.

My Verdict

Honestly? These might be two of the best SPFs I've tried. Not only are they a delight to wear underneath makeup, but they don't leave a hint of oiliness behind either. They're SPFs that I actually want to use. Above, I'm wearing foundation over the top of the SPFs on both sides of my face, and it applied seamlessly and without any excess shine. In fact, I didn't actually need to add powder either. A big thumbs up.

If you're weighing up which one to get, I'd advise going for the Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ formula if you have dry or a balanced skin type, want a bit more hydration or want an SPF that doubles as your moisturiser too. If you're on the oily or combination side, then you will love the Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+. It sits so well underneath makeup and doesn't exacerbate my skin's oily tendencies or cause breakouts. The best part is that they both come in at just £16, making them friendly to your bank account too.

Shop Now:

How We Tested

I've now worn both of these SPFs for over six months, so I've put them through their paces to test each formula. I tested on my oily-prone complexion to see how well they sat on my skin type and wore them both alone and underneath makeup to see how each formula performed. I've now gone through multiple tubes of both formulas, so I've tested each one rigorously.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.