BEST KOREAN SPF FOR YOUR SKIN

As you may know, Korean skincare is taking the Western cosmetics world by storm. While it dominates many categories, K-beauty really shines when it comes to sunscreen. But which is best? Whether you haven't found the right one yet or are a sunscreen stan and want to expand your horizons, we're confident that there's a K-beauty option that'll strike your fancy. From multitasking products with soothing and hydrating ingredients to gels, sticks, and creams, there's something for everyone.

Here are the best Korean sunscreens for every skin type and budget.

BEST OVERALL: COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream at Amazon

For an all-around amazing sunscreen that works on most skin types, reach for COSRX's Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. The creamy and moisturizing yet lightweight texture absorbs quickly into your skin—no white cast or greasy feel. Christin is a fan of COSRX's sunscreens, and we can see why. The hydrating formula provides SPF 50 protection and can be used on its own or under makeup. And thanks to an ample dose of aloe vera, it soothes irritation and helps even out your complexion.

Personally this is the best product i have ever used.What I Like:

• Lightweight
• Absorbs fast
• Wears well under makeup
• No white cast

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Aloe arborescens leaf extract, titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.69 fluid ounces | Free of: Oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes |

These Are the Best Korean Skincare Products

Best Budget: Etude House Soon Jung Mild Defence Sun Cream

Korean sunscreens aren't usually exorbitantly expensive, though Etude House's Soon Jung is $10 to $20 cheaper than most other options. The SPF 49 formula is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores and is unlikely to cause breakouts. It has a low pH, too, which helps your skin combat dryness and sensitivity.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Panthensoside+, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | SPF: 49 | Size: 1.69 fluid ounces | Free of: Animal materials, mineral oils, synthetic perfume, polyacrylamide, imidazolidinyl urea, triethanolamine, tar color, talc, and parabens | Water-Resistant:

Best Oil-Free: IPKN Big Apple Sun Cream SPF 50

IPKN Big Apple Sun Cream SPF 50

• Cooling effect
• Non-comedogenic
• Color corrects

It's oil-free, "IPKN Big Apple Sun Cream SPF 50" so won't clog your pores and relies on zinc oxide to protect your skin but also helps color-correct the skin like a primer. Plus, the apple water extract is a great antioxidant, and it feels cooling on the skin."

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Apple water extract, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.35 fluid ounces | Free of: Oil | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: No |

Best for Oily Skin: Suntique I'm Pure Cica Suncream

Suntique I'm Pure Cica Suncream

• Lightweight
• Absorbs fast
• Matte finish

Finding a non-greasy sunscreenSuntique I'm Pure Cica Suncream can be tough for folks with oily skin. With this in mind, Suntique's I'm Pure is non-sticky, fast-absorbing, and delivers a matte finish. It also contains cica (short for centella asiatica), a natural ingredient with antibacterial, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Type: Mineral | Active Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, centella asiatica, galactomyces ferment filtrate | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.69 fluid ounces | Free of: PABA, avobenzone, oxybenzone, fragrance, phthalates, parabens, and chemical UV filters | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: No |

Best for Dry Skin: Bombee Honey Moist Sun Essence SPF 50+ PA+++

• Lightweight
• Very hydrating
• No white cast

Bombee Honey is a godsend for dry skin, full stop. With ingredients like honey and royal jelly extract, it's lightweight but also super hydrating. Plus, it glides onto your skin without leaving a greasy film or white residue in its wake. And it's broad-spectrum SPF 50, meaning it better protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays.

Type: Chemical and mineral hybrid | Active Ingredients: Homosalate, ethylhexyl salicylate, titanium dioxide, honey extract, propolis extract, royal jelly extract, camellia japonica flower extract | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.69 fluid ounces | Free of: Oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Oracle 21;STAY A-Thera Sunblock SPF 50

Dr. Oracle 21;STAY A-Thera Sunblock SPF 50,This lightweight gel-cream is silky smooth, absorbing quickly with a matte finish.

• Lightweight
• Absorbs fast
• Matte finish

Type: Chemical and mineral hybrid | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, celtic water, bamboo water, maca root extract | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.35 fluid ounces | Free of: Oxybenzone, parabens, sulfates, mineral oil | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Sensitive Skin: Acwell UV Cut SPF 50+ PA++++ Mild Sun Fluid

Acwell UV Cut SPF 50+ PA++++ Mild Sun Fluid:

Great for sensitive skin, lightweight

Lightweightrotective sunscreen is made with sensitive skin types in mind. The broad-spectrum SPF 50 formula calms inflammation, repairs damage, and hydrates as it protects. And without any sulfates, parabens, dyes, artificial fragrances, or mineral oil, it's unlikely to irritate.

Active Ingredients: Natural Protector, centaurea cyanus flower water (cornflower water), centella asiatica extract | SPF: 50 | Size: 4.7 ounces | Free of: Parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrance, color, alcohol, mineral oil

Best for Combination Skin: Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream

• Lightweight
• No white cast
• Great for sensitive skin

This SPF 50 sunscreen pulls out all the stops for skin that's oily, dry, sensitive, and all of the above. Sun Project hydrates with African walnut oil and bamboo extracts and calms the skin with aloe vera and hollyhock root. Plus, it goes on super smooth without a sticky feel, won't leave a white cast, and is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin.

Type: Chemical and mineral hybrid | Active Ingredients: Homosalate, ethylhexyl salicylate, titanium dioxide, phyto-oligo, inca omega oil, bamboo extracts, aloe leaf extract, hollyhock root | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.75 ounces | Free of: Oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Stick: AHC Natural Perfection Double Shield Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++

AHC Natural Perfection Double Shield Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++

• Wears well under makeup
• Travel-friendly
• What We Don't Like
• Smaller size than other options

SPF sticks are great for tattoos, touch-ups, and on-the-go applications, and this little guy from ACH won't disappoint. You can use it both over or underneath your makeup, and a little goes a long way. Just turn the dial to release a few millimeters of product, and gently work it around your face, neck, chest, and anywhere else as needed.

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Patented UV IR Block, phyto protect complex, homosalate | SPF: 50 | Size: 22 grams | Free of: Oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Chemical Formula: IsNtree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel

• Lightweight
• No white cast
• Absorbs quickly
• May not work for oily skin

Korean beauty expert recommends IsNtree Watery Sun Gel for those who prefer chemical formulas. Without zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, it absorbs quickly and won't leave a white, chalky residue. "This has a texture that's easy to spread and dries down quickly so you can apply your makeup over it easily in the morning, and it doesn't leave any white cast on the skin,"

Type: Chemical | Active Ingredients: Ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, hyaluronic acid | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.69 fluid ounces | Free of: Oxybenzone | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Face: NEOGEN Dermalogy Day-Light Protection Sunscreen SPF 50/PA+++

• Lightweight
• Wears well under makeup

• Pricier than other options

When it comes to facial sunscreens, NEOGEN's Day-Light Protection is hard to beat. The notably light, silicone-free formula moisturizes dry skin without clogging pores or causing breakouts. While zinc oxide provides SPF 50 protection, you can count on a sheer finish on all skin tones. Wear it solo, layer it over your favorite daily moisturizer, or apply it underneath your makeup.

Type: Chemical and mineral hybrid | Active Ingredients: Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, zinc oxide, rose extract, raspberry extract | SPF: 50 | Size: 1.65 fluid ounces | Free of: Silicones | Water-Resistant: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Conclusion:

If you're new to the world of Korean sunscreens, COSRX's Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++ is a great place to start, Its formula is soothing, lightweight, non-greasy, and suitable for all skin types. However, if you're open to spending a little more on an A+ formula—or should we say A+++?—you can't go wrong with NEOGEN Dermalogy's Day-Light Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA+++.

What to Look For in a Korean Sunscreen

SPF/PA rating

Perhaps the most important thing to look for in a Korean sunscreen (or any sunscreen) is SPF. This tells you how well the formula will protect your skin from the sun's rays. Scott says to look for products with a minimum of SPF 30, and Christin agrees. "It has to have an SPF of at least 30 and broad-spectrum protection," she says. "Broad-spectrum protection covers protection from both UVA and UVB rays."

Luckily, most K-beauty options offer SPF 50 or higher, but what do all the pluses mean? "One of the nice things about Asian sunscreens is that in addition to the SPF rating, they include a PA rating," explains Driscoll. "This helps indicate how much protection you are getting from UVA rays, the rays most responsible for aging of the skin. I like to look for a PA rating of ++++, the highest you can find."

Do Korean sunscreens work?

Korean sunscreens work as well as any other brand. K-beauty sunscreens come in a range of SPF ratings, and many are broad-spectrum, which means they protect against UVA and UVB rays.8

Is Korean sunscreen better?

Korean sunscreen is not necessarily better, although Korean brands often provide additional skin care benefits. For instance, you can find a wide range of varieties for specific skin types or concerns, such as sensitive, dry, or oily skin. Many products contain extracts and ingredients that can help nourish, calm, and protect skin.

Is CosRX sunscreen effective?

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Which Korean sunscreen is best?

COSRX's Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is our overall top pick because it is an all-around great sunscreen that works on most skin types. Other excellent choices include Etude House's Soon Jung Mild Defense Sun Cream and IPKN Big Apple Sun Cream SPF 50.