The best Korean sunscreens are among our absolute favorite sunscreens, and the reasons are beyond skin-deep. In addition to their transparent, cast-free finishes and hydrating, brightening, and even acne-fighting properties, Korean sunscreens are formulated with innovative UVA and UVB filters that haven’t been approved stateside. (Hey, FDA, get on it.) TL;DR They can’t be legitimately sold on Amazon or any other U.S. retailers. Lucky for us, there are Asia-based retailers such as Olive Young (the Sephora of Korea, essentially), Stylevana, and Yesstyle that you can buy from with confidence.
Learn more about what sets the best Korean sunscreens apart, thanks to wisdom from K-beauty experts, dermatologists, and both NYC and Seoul-based Allure editors.
Our Top Korean Sunscreens
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Thank You Farmer Sun Project Moisture Sun Cream SPF 40
Why it’s worth it: You’ll see a handful of familiar, editor-beloved ingredients in Thank You Farmer’s Sun Project Water Sun Cream, such as panthenol, niacinamide, vitamin E, and glycerin. This superbly hydrating formula applies like a dream, absorbs in seconds, and doesn’t leave a white cast, ever. While it seems best suited for normal or dry skin, everyone can benefit from this nourishing formula. Panthenol, niacinamide, vitamin E, and glycerin boost plumpness, radiance, and barrier function, all while protecting your skin with SPF 40. In other words, this chemical sunscreen checks all of our boxes. Wait, and it’s under $25? Dreams do come true.
P.S. If you have sensitive skin and don’t mind a tinted sunscreen, check out Thank You Farmer’s Sun Project Rice Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40, which packs ample hydration and UV defense powered by 100% zinc oxide.
P.P.S. Eunice Park, MD, a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in Long Island, New York, also recommends Thank You Farmer’s The Sun Essence, which she calls a favorite during steamy summer months. “It has a light, watery texture with a pearlescent finish that is ideal for normal to oily skin types,” she notes.
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
“Thank You Farmer Sun Project Moisture Sun Cream SPF 40 encapsulates everything I love about Korean sunscreens, which are 100% more elite than US sunscreens (I said what I said.),” says commerce editor Sarah Han. “It’s supremely hydrating—so much so that I actually skip my daytime moisturizer—without feeling heavy or greasy and gives my skin a delightful but not over-the-top glow. This lightweight cream truly melts right in without the slightest bit of cast.”
Sunscreen type/Key ingredients/Who it’s for
- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: homosalate (9%), octinoxate (6.8%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (4%), and vitamins B5, B3, E, and K (panthenol, niacinamide, tocopherol, and menadione)
- Who it’s for: all skin types (unless you don’t like a slightly dewy finish)
Best Glowy: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++
Why it’s worth it: If you’re on beauty TikTok, chances are you’ve seen Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++ all over your FYP. The viral sensation is one of the best sunscreens we’ve tried in recent years, partly due to its glowy and healthy-looking finish. Chock-full of nourishing ingredients such as niacinamide, rice extract, and grain-derived probiotics, this chemical-free, cast-free formula might just make you look forward to applying sunscreen every single day.
P.S. We’ve noticed a trend of K-beauty brands formulating FDA-approved sunscreens to sell on Amazon—presumably, to combat the high volume of counterfeits (of the original, non-FDA-approved formulas) being sold on the site. Beauty of Joseon has one called Daily Relief Sunscreen SPF 40, which Han says has a pleasant texture but is a smidge heavier than its predecessor.
Tester feedback from Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
“Quite frankly, I might never go for another sunscreen again after the torrid affair I’m currently having with Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun SPF 50,” senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen shared in our roundup for the best moisturizers with SPF. “On TikTok’s recommendation, I bought an entire four-pack of this K-beauty staple and have been tearing through it all summer, which is all too easy to do, given the way it melts into skin like butter and leaves a highlighter-level glow behind.”
Sunscreen type/Key ingredients/Who it’s for
- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: rice extract, niacinamide, pumpkin ferment extract, green tea, ginseng
- Who it’s for: normal, combination, and dry skin
Best Semi-Matte: Etude Sunprise Milk Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+
Why it’s worth it: Many Korean sunscreens leave dewy or radiant finishes, but if you have oily or combination skin, mineral formulas might be more comfortable to wear. True to its name, Etude Sunprise Milk Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+ is a lightweight, milky, and fluid-like formula that doesn’t leave a chalky finish or cause your makeup to pill, like other mineral sunscreens often do. It does take a few beats longer to fully absorb, so as long as you don’t mind that aspect, this subtly floral formula is a goodie. Don’t forget to shake well before application!
“As someone who mainly wears chemical sunscreens, it’s not hard to deduce that I’m very picky about mineral sunscreens. Despite the initial jumpscare-white formula, Etude’s Sunprise doesn’t leave a ghastly cast on me, though I definitely need to be patient blending two fingers’ worth of product—I take about 30 seconds altogether, and as you can see in my after photo, my skin returns to its natural state—just a smidge brighter and more evened out. You can see a subtle glow in my after photo, but if I were to skip my moisturizer (which I totally could, since I applied a hydrating essence and antioxidant serum prior), I think I’d achieve a truer matte finish.”
Sunscreen type/Key ingredients/Who it’s for
Sunscreen type: mineral
Key ingredients: zinc oxide (17%), aloe, acai berry, and acerola
Who it’s for: combination, oily, sensitive skin
Most Lightweight: Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++
Why it’s worth it: All aboard the TikTok hype train: Skin1004’s Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++ has taken over our feeds with its impossibly lightweight, serum-like formula that leaves skin looking dewy and fresh. According to the brand, this sunscreen uses next-generation, photostable chemical UV filters such as Tinosorb M, Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, and Iscotrizinol. How’s that for innovation?
Another Skin1004 sunscreen we love: Han says Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Glow Sun Ampoule was her favorite beauty launch of 2024. It’s also extremely lightweight, fluid, and leaves a very subtle dewy finish that Han says doesn’t emphasize her shiny areas.
Tester feedback from Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai
“My skin is naturally oily and prone to acne, so I always prefer lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas. Nothing in the US market really compares to this serum, which sinks in quickly and leaves my skin looking dewy, but not chalky or greasy. And it’s infused with cica, which I’ve found actually tends to reduce redness of any active breakouts.”
Sunscreen type/Key ingredients/Who it’s for
- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, cica, arugula leaf, green tea, and broccoli extracts
- Who it’s for: People looking for a super lightweight sunscreen; people with oily/acne-prone skin
Best for Dry Skin: Then I You Essence Light Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++
Why it’s worth it: Then I Met You’s Essence Light Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ is a dream for skin that craves hydration. While this airy lotion isn’t as viscous as a typical Korean essence, it provides similar, skin-boosting benefits—thanks to ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and provitamin B5—and leaves behind a dewy, radiant finish. Even if you don’t have dry skin, it’s worth a try, as our editors will attest.
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Tester feedback from Allure associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen
“Technically, I have combination skin, but catch me mid-day and you’ll see me shine from across the room. While the Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ doesn’t sop up oil or even prevent it, it does play into my daily gleam in the best, most helpful way by giving my skin dehydrated much-needed moisture (in the form of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol) as it protects it. I’ve gone through two, maybe three of these tubes already—it’s the best!”
Sunscreen type/Key ingredients/Who it’s for
Sunscreen type: chemical
Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (9%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (5%), ceramides, fermented sake, hyaluronic acid, provitamin B5
Who it’s for: people with dry skin (or anyone who doesn’t mind looking glowy!)
Other great Korean sunscreens
- Calling all those who are aging gracefully: James Y. Wang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in LA, gave Cosrx’s Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ a stamp of approval in our roundup of the best sunscreens for mature skin. “Free radicals can contribute to premature aging, so the presence of vitamin E may help maintain the health and vitality of maturing skin,” he explained. Silica and cotton extract help curb excess sebum, so it’s an excellent choice for oily skin as well.
- If you have sensitive, redness-prone skin, Dr.G’s Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF 50+ PA++++ is an Allure Korea Best of Beauty winner that’s 100% zinc oxide-based and rich in soothing cica and heartleaf. “It doesn’t smell or feel like a traditional facial sunscreen, which is great for my sensitive skin,” Kinonen, who helped select the winner, said. “The lotion blends into skin easily and doesn’t leave any sort of white cast.”
- Got acne? Some by Mi’s v10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen SPF 50 touts niacinamide, which “has been shown to reduce sebum production,” NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, explained. Some studies also point to its ability to curb the growth of bacteria-causing acne. Like many other fine formulas on this list, it goes on as a moist, white cream but leaves behind zero cast.
- Looking for a sunscreen that’s hydrating and doesn’t pill under makeup? Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Minneapolis, recommends Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Daily Sun Gel SPF 30 PA+++, which she says is “super lightweight, elegant, and great under makeup.” Within the formula lie 10 (!) types of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, cica, and heartleaf, and adenosine, which can help relax the appearance of wrinkles over time.
- Need something convenient for on-the-go reapplication, or have squirmy kids? Pick up the Abib Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar SPF 50+ PA++++, a chemical sunscreen stick with a curved applicator that glides onto every nook and cranny of skin with utter ease. It’s also packed with skin-soothing ingredients like ectoin, camellia japonica seed oil, and allantoin, and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Korean sunscreens different from Western sunscreens?
One of the key differences between Western sunscreens and Korean sunscreens is their role in our perception of skin care, as Zion Ko Lamm, MD, a board-certified internal medicine doctor based in Charlotte, North Carolina, points out. Korean sunscreens are part of a skin-care lifestyle, defending against a broader range of long-term effects of the sun and promoting general skin health. On the other hand, Western sunscreens are formulated with necessity in mind, beginning and ending with sun protection.
Source: Allure – www.allure.com
