Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ – Review

This post will be reviewing the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF 50+.

I’m typically not one to jump on new trends or explore rising brands as soon as they blow up. I like to pace myself and just wait for the first batch of consumers or influencers to try before purchasing. This gives me enough time to consult Reddit and weigh the different opinions before making an informed decision.

Round Lab is a Korean Skincare brand launched in early 2017 but became popularly here in the West between 2020 and 2021. Their no-frills approach targets those with tired skin due to stress. So, you’ll find that they use many calming ingredients such as Mugwort, Birch Juice and Soybean in their products. I’m not quite sure how skincare products can help alleviate stress, but it’s an interesting brand philosophy regardless. So when they released their verified SPF 50+ sunscreen, and I heard good things about it, I wanted to try it immediately.

I eventually tried it, and I’m here to share my experience.

First Impressions of The Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF 50+

According to Round Lab;

A hydrating sunscreen that does double duty as moisturizer sunscreen, for all skin types.

It does not only provide a protective barrier from harmful UV rays but the super lightweight formula contains ingredients like Birch Sap and Hyaluronic Acid to keep skin hydrated.

Ingredient List, Sunscreen Filters & Fragrance

This best-selling sunscreen is touted as a hydrating product that can double as a moisturizer. I’m just wondering what skin type was used as the basis for this. Definitely not people like me with dry, dehydrated skin. Anyway, let’s take a look at the ingredient list and see what it has to offer;

• Niacinamide
• Ascorbic Acid
• Vitamin E
• Adenosine
• Glycerin
• Sodium Hyaluronate
• Allantoin
• Birch Sap
• sprinkled with a couple of plant extracts.

As a Korean Skincare product, the ingredient list did not disappoint. As for the sunscreen filters, it has four including;

• Uvinul A Plus – for UVA protection
• Uvinul T 150 – for UVB protection
• Tinosorb M – which provides both UVA & UVB protection
• Uvasorb HEB – also provides both UVA & UVB protection.

As expected, the filters are balanced, providing broad-spectrum protection. But as usual, this sunscreen is probably more suited for daily wear than beach/outdoor/sports wear, so you need to manage your expectations. Except you’re religious with reapplication, make sure you have another heavy-duty sunscreen as a backup.

As always, it is alcohol, essential oil and fragrance-free.

Texture, Consistency & Packaging

Those with normal to combination skin will absolutely love this sunscreen. Its super lightweight texture is a dream to apply as it glides on so smoothly and disappears immediately into the skin. So, if you wear makeup and you’re wary about piling that occurs with some sunscreens, you’ll love this one. It is non-sticky, easy to apply and quite refreshing, if I might add. Again, if you have oily to combination skin, you might also find it hydrating, which I personally don’t.

It is packaged in a 50ml tube which feels like more air than the product. This is why you ensure that you always get it on sale as much as possible. While Kbeauty sunscreens are primarily affordable, the 50ml sizes are honestly just downright ridiculous.

Pricing & Avaliability

As an increasingly popular best-selling product, you’ll find this sunscreen in most Asian retailers. Again, if you can get it on sale, good for you. Otherwise, for about $15 for 50ml, the price isn’t too bad.

Review of the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF 50+

As I mentioned earlier, I have used this sunscreen a few times, so I’m just going to go straight to the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Non-greasy
• Non-sticky
• Leaves no white cast
• Cooling, soothing and refreshing
• Alcohol and fragrance – free
• Doesn’t sting the eyes.
• Layers well under makeup and other skincare products.
• Doesn’t sit on the skin; absorbs instantly.
• Has a matte finish
• Works across most skin tyoes

Cons

Technically, this sunscreen doesn’t really have any cons, but for dry skin, it’s the worst product you can possibly use for your skin. So, the cons will simply be based on its’ inadequacies for dry skin;

• Not hydrating enough
• Not emollient enough
• Too lightweight
• Not dewy enough

For dry skin sunscreens, my standard is the Bondi Sands Face SPF 50+. Any other product that doesn’t match up to it falls flat in my books.

It goes without saying that I don’t like this sunscreen, and I won’t be repurchasing it. Neither will I be recommending it to anyone with dry, dehydrated skin.

Finally,

On paper, the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream is a great product but it is simply not inclusive enough as it leaves out people like me with dry, dehydrated skin.