Spring, summer, fall, winter – no matter what season it is, you want to do everything you can for your skin. Even the smallest amounts of unprotected sun exposure can harm your skin causing issues such as disease and early aging.
A lot of the SPF products you know and love, such as BB cream, have come from Korea. It’s no surprise then that you may want to try other Korean skincare products too, then.
Korean sunscreens offer a wide variety of benefits that you may not find in the rest of the world, such as unique ingredients. However, navigating the market can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what makes a good Korean sunscreen.
Not only have we created a list of the top 11 best Korean sunscreens, but we’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked sunscreen questions. Keep reading to learn what to look for when picking your next favorite sunscreen.
The 11 Best Korean Sunscreens:
1. DERMALOGY Day-Light Protection Sunscreen
One of the biggest downsides to wearing sunscreen is that oily feeling after you apply it. In fact, that’s one of the main reasons that so many people consider skipping out on sunscreen every day.
However, it a light-weight formula designed to absorb quickly into your skin, the Dermalogy sunscreen covers without that oily finish. It provides daily protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays while moisturizing and hydrating your skin.
It also improves your skin while you are wearing it! Thanks to its antioxidant ingredients, you’ll notice improved dry skin, fine wrinkles, blemishes, and discoloration.
Related: Best Eye Creams for Wrinkles
If you plan on hitting the gym or the beach, however, this may not be the sunscreen for you. It’s not water or sweat-resistant, making it better for daily use.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA +++
2. MAKEP:REM UV Defense Me Sunscreen
This sunscreen is designed with both safety and cosmetics in mind. It’s light-weight, tacky-free, and gives you a dewy, glowing complexion.
There are two main ingredients of interest in the MAKEP:REM sunscreen: mineral filter and Rubus Arcticus.
The mineral filter is what helps this sunscreen improve your complexion. It absorbs easily into your skin and works to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
The stem cells from the Rubus Arcticus, which is a berry from Finland, improve your complexion while you wear it. It acts as an antioxidant and will help improve any skin conditions you have while keeping you safe from harmful rays.
It’s has been certified as the lowest hazard by the Environmental Working Group, which means you can wear it without fear. It’s also safe to wear with makeup without a white cast or tackiness.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA ++++
3. MISSHA Sun Milk
Since it’s water and sweat resistant, Missha Sun Milk is the perfect sunscreen for every occasion. Whether you’re going for a jog, hitting the pool, or just going to work, it hydrates your skin while keeping it safe.
It uses a double layer UV block system that provides long-lasting and impenetrable protection. Since it has a double layer, even rising humidity won’t harm the UV protection.
This long-lasting protection is designed to work even in the hotter, more humid months of summer. And, if you’re worried about your sensitive skin, it hydrates, cools, and uses skin-friendly ingredients.
Make sure to shake lightly before application, and coat your body well before you leave. It takes around 30 minutes for this sunscreen to set in, so you won’t want to wait until the last minute to apply it.
It spreads easily for full coverage with little product (you’ll only need one fingerful). It’s light and comfortable and only needs to be reapplied every 2 to 3 hours.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA +++
4. COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
Good things come in small packages, and this sunscreen combines three amazing benefits in one product. With 5,500ppm of Aloe Leaf Extract, the Cosrx sunscreen hydrates and smoothes your skin while protecting against UVA and UVB rays.
This sunscreen is designed with a light-weight and creamy texture. As a result, it absorbs quickly into your skin without making it feel greasy.
This is great if you plan to wear makeup and want to cover it. It’s also good if you want to go bare-faced without worrying about shine or a white cast.
It’s safe for all skin types, even sensitive skin, making it a good choice if you’re new to Korean sunscreens. You can experiment and see how you like it without worrying as much about breakouts or rashes.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA +++
5. PURITO Centella Green Level Unscented Sunscreen
Some people are funny about products with smells – maybe it gives you a headache, or maybe you’re just particular about what you like. No matter what the reason, if you don’t like the smell of sunscreen you won’t use it.
That’s why the Purito sunscreen is a great choice. Using proprietary technology, Purito has masked all of the odors of the raw ingredients.
As a result, their sunscreen is completely unscented. It doesn’t contain any essential oils and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
It’s easy to spread and goes on thin, making it lightweight and breathable. You can also pair it with makeup, making it great for daily use.
If you’re looking for added protection, it provides a barrier against external stimuli as well as ultraviolet rays. This is because of an upgraded, highly-concentrated super Centella component.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA ++++
6. IOPE UV Shield Sunscreen
When it comes to protecting your skin, ultraviolet rays aren’t the only danger you face when you step outside. Ultra-fine debris such as dust can also harm your skin by causing micro-abrasions and clogging your pores.
No worries, though, because the Iope shield sunscreen is designed to protect you from both. It’s a light, fresh sunscreen that utilizes a micro-filter system for healthier skin.
Its light texture allows your skin to absorb it quickly without any stickiness or oiliness. It also helps strengthen your skin using a V.D. Booster.
It’s important to note that this sunscreen does have a slight perfume smell. If you’re sensitive to that, you may want to look at other scentless options instead.
You can enhance its absorption by gently tapping your face after applying the sunscreen. This will also boost your circulation for glowy, healthy skin.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA ++++
7. Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Sunscreen
Have you ever tried to hold two magnets together and they repel each other? This is due to them having the same electrical charge, which prevents them from attaching.
The Dr. Jart+ sunscreen utilizes this same technology to protect your skin from fine dust that can clog your pores. They’ve worked to design the sunscreen to have the same electrical charge as fine dust, forming a protective skin barrier.
And it still provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays! As a result, you’ll have healthy, safe skin every time you walk outside.
Cypress water and seaweed extract purify the skin while soothing and moisturizing. The liquid gel formulation is moist without being sticky to impart immediate moisture for a refreshing burst of hydration.
It’s dermatologist tested and designed to be hypoallergenic and safe for skin types, including sensitive. It’s also made without harmful ingredients such as tar dyes, talc, artificial fragrances, parabens, and sulfates.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA +++
8. Nature Republic Sun Stick
Thanks to the Nature Republic stick design, applying your sunscreen becomes a mess-firee, hassle-free experience. It’s waterproof and designed to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
You’ll need to pay close attention to how it dries, however. This sun stick has a powdery finish that offers the same effect as a primer.
If that’s not the look you’re going for, you may want to try a different product.
It has aloe vera extract which moisturizes and protects your skin while you wear it.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA ++++
9. Dr. G Brightening Sunscreen
Protection meets spa day with this brightening sunscreen. It has an antioxidant effect which improves your skin tone and controls sebum for protection without greasiness.
It has a light and fresh finish while also protecting you from redness as a result of UV ray exposure.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA +++
10. Julep No Excuses Invisible Sunscreen
If you’re tired of creams, you may want to experiment with this lightweight gel sunscreen. It’s transparent and nonsticky, making it perfect to wear under makeup.
It has age-defying ingredients from Jeju Island, Korea, helping improve any minor imperfections.
Make sure to apply at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours.
Protection
- SPF 40
11. LabNo Sun Milk
This milky sunblock will give you a dewy finish without overdoing the shine, resulting in healthier-looking skin. It has a UV barrier to stops UVA and UVB rays, and it only uses skin safe ingredients.
However, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to skip on this one. While the citrus oil smells good and can be safe on the skin, it’s not recommended for sensitive skin.
If you’re unsure about your skin type, make sure to test a small amount of the product on a patch of skin.
Protection
- SPF 50+
- PA ++++
Is Korean sunscreen better?
In a lot of ways, Korean and American made sunscreens are very similar. They’re both regulated by each country’s FDA, and they’re designed to protect you.
However, Korean sunscreens do have three differences that make them more preferable.
First, Korean sunscreens are made with less or different chemicals than American made sunscreens. As a result, they’re less harsh on your skin while still providing full coverage.
Korean sunscreens are also designed to be more cosmetic. They’re made to protect without leaving a white cast, and they work underneath makeup.
Finally, Korean sunscreens use a PA+ rating that allows you to better understand the protection you’re getting.
What is PA +++ in sunscreen?
First, you’ll need to know the difference between SPF and PA. Then we can discuss the different levels of PA.
So, sunlight has two main types of rays: UVB and UVA. Both of these affect your skin in different ways, and both can be harmful if you’re exposed to too much.
SPF indicates the level of protection a sunscreen offers from UVB rays. On the other hand, PA is the level of protection from UVA rays
PA stands from Protection Grade of UVA.
It’s a Japanese measurement ranking used widely throughout the world. However, unlike SPF, it’s not required to be explicitly stated in the United States.
More pluses mean better protection. PA+++ is accepted as a high grade of UVA protection and is designed to protect normal skin exposed to strong UV radiation.
What is the best Korean sunscreen?
The best Korean sunscreen is the one that works best for your skin type while also keeping you safe. If you plan to wear makeup, you’ll also want one that doesn’t have a white cast and is light and breathable.
Each person may find a different sunscreen more effective for them, which is why it’s important to do personalized research before buying a product.
Conclusion
It’s no surprise you want the best for your skin. It is your largest organ, after all.
However, picking the best sunscreen for your skin can be tough. Especially when you’re branching out to explore international products you may not be familiar with.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to introduce you to Korean sunscreens. While the rating system may seem a little strange at first, you’ll learn that it’s actually extremely helpful!
Whichever sunscreen you decide to purchase, make sure it works best for your needs. Not every sunscreen is created equal.
Always know whether or not you plan to wear makeup with your sunscreen, as well as if you’ll be around water or sweat. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to do a patch test before applying any product to your face.
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Joan S. Wilson is a lifelong makeup and skincare enthusiast. She used to work as a makeup artist for 5 years. Joan is always curious and wants to learn more when it comes to makeup and skincare. She tries her best to make other people’s skin health better. This is why Joan is so passionate about writing articles on beauty topics. She always looks for products that are high-quality, dermatologist-tested, and does that it says on the label. In every article, she shares her knowledge to make your life healthier and happier!