Unless you are living under a rock and are unaware of the benefits of sunscreen, allow us to humbly remind you and introduce you to the best Korean mineral sunscreenss. Applying sun protection daily cuts your risk of contracting skin cancer in half. And when we say daily, we mean daily - even on cloudy days. 

Our contributor Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “Mineral sunscreens are often suitable for oily skin as they sit on the skin's surface, creating a barrier without clogging pores. They can even be used for dry and combination skin types.”

Sunscreen is the one product that has been time and again reinforced into our skincare routine. Its benefits are innumerable and go far beyond just sun protection. It helps reduce signs of aging, limits the appearance of sunspots, protects skin against sunburns, aids broken blood vessels, evens skin tone, boosts collagen production, and of course, significantly lowers the threat of skin cancer.In spite of sun protection being at the forefront of mainstream beauty standards, people continue to not take it seriously. According to research, “The majority of Americans are not regularly using sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun's harmful UV rays (1).” It’s high time this narrative changes. Protecting your skin is an extension of protecting your health, and sun protection is an important part of taking care of yourself (2)

While given the necessity, there are a wide array of products available in the market, K-beauty sunscreens by far take the cake. K-beauty is hailed as the latest wave in beauty innovation, and its cutting-edge reputation spills onto the realm of sunscreens. With an impressively large repertoire, its ground-breaking use of all-natural ingredients is constantly evolving with time providing the best possible sun solutions for your skin. We bring to you the 11 best Korean beauty sunscreens for optimal sun protection.

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  Best Korean body sunscreen

  ETUDE HOUSE Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk

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From the family of the renowned K-beauty brand ETUDE HOUSE, this sun milk does not disappoint. Being sebum-free and non-sticky, it softly blocks the harsh UV rays without leaving a white cast. The sun milk includes all-natural ingredients like aloe vera, acai berry, cactus and sunflower seeds to protect the skin from the sun and pollution as well as hydrate it. 100% mineral based, its mild formula is gentle on the skin and nurtures fragile skin to make it healthy. Make sure to shake well before applying.

Key ingredients: Sunflower seeds, Dwarf ground sedge extract, Acai berry, Mistletoe leaves, Aloe vera, Cactus, Hyaluronic acid

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Best Lightweight Korean Body Sunscreen

Innisfree Daily Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

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Everyone under the sun has heard about Innisfree. Ironically, its Daily Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is one of the best Korean mineral sunscreens in the market to protect you from sun damage. The formula is water-based hence super lightweight and delivers invisible protection with broad spectrum SPF 36. It is infused with green tea and sunflower seed oil which blends seamlessly, leaving behind a non-white cast finish and a dewy glow. Not only does it protect, but it also hydrates and soothes skin. Dab a dime-size pump onto your palm and spread it evenly. For optimal results reapply every two hours when the skin is exposed to sunlight. (Bonus fact: This is one of the best mineral sunscreen without white cast and is ideal for brown skin.)

Key ingredients: Jeju green tea, Sunflower seed oil, Cica, Orchid extract

3

Best K-Beauty Sunscreen Set

Beauty By Earth Mineral Sunscreen Set

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Ideal for those looking out for anti-aging benefits coupled with sun protection, this K-beauty sunscreen plays a dual role not just in perks but also as a set catering to the face as well as the body. The Beauty by Earth face and body sunscreen is loaded with vegan, organic ingredients - free of toxins, fragrances, and colorants. The K-beauty sunscreen moisturizes both the face and the body while also providing hydration. A lot of times while we protect the face, we tend to forget that our body needs to be shielded from thesun too. Given it is non-toxic, the Korean body sunscreen is great to use on all skin types. A little goes a long way with this one - simply rub the sunscreen onto your face and body for an all-day cover from the sun.

Key ingredients: Organic aloe vera leaf juice, Coconut oil, Shea butter, Pomegranate extract, Cucumber extract

4

Best Waterproof Korean Sunscreen

MISSHA All Around Safe Block Waterproof Sun Milk

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A radiant, velvety base, the MISSHA Sun Milk screams luxury. Other than protection from the sun, it also helps in correcting skin tone and texture with its tone-correcting properties.For all the girl bosses out there - its impenetrable double layer UV protection makes it waterproof and sweat resistant, so a long day of work is a piece of cake. The waterproof Korean sunscreen revitalizes skin by nourishing and restoring the skin’s balance, alongside providing enhanced protection against the sun for a fresh and vibrant look.

Key ingredients: Eucalyptus leaf extract, Rosea root extract

5

Best Mineral Sunscreen

Bare Republic Sport Mineral Sunscreen

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The Bare Republic Sport Mineral Sunscreen smells so delicious that you could easily mistake it for a cupcake. The vanilla and coconut scent in the sunscreen is completely natural and free of chemical actives. Perfect for everyday use, this k beauty sunscreen has a formula that is proudly free of synthetic fragrances, and parabens - providing healthy, clean protection to all skin types. Non-whitening and up to 80 minutes water resistant - it promises clean protection without any fancy gimmicks. Lightweight enough, you can reapply with ease. Pro tip: shake well before application!

Key ingredients: Algae extract, Aloe leaf juice, Kukui seed oil, Coconut oil, Vanilla extract

6

Best Sunscreen Without White Cast

SOME BY MI Truecica Mineral 100 Calming Suncream

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Slightly higher on the price scale, the SOME BY MI Truecica Mineral Suncream is lightweight like no other and doesn’t even leave a minute trace of white cast on your skin. Plus, for the amount, the quantity is excellent and will last you a good while. It has a faint tea-tree smell from its natural fragrance. The non-greasy formula is ideal for those with sensitive skin. Keep reapplying throughout the day by lightly dabbing it onto the skin for maximum sun protection. 

Key ingredients: Tea tree leaf oil, Lavender oil, Orange peel oil

Quick Tip

For dry skin, you can add a few drops of vitamin C serum or hyaluronic acid while blending to ensure it seeps into your skin beautifully. For oily skin, add salicylic acid.

7

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Pure Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen

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haruharu wonder is a known and trusted skincare brand because of its high-quality products. This mineral sunscreen sits on top of the skin and reflects the sun’s rays keeping you safe and protected. Its patented formula with non-nano zinc oxide makes it a stable and suitable option even for sensitive skin. While the ceramide helps strengthen the skin barrier, the niacinamide helps improve the skin tone with ample hydration. Formulated with nourishing ingredients like black rice bran oil, moringa seed oil, daisy flower extracts, and hyaluronic acid, this physical sunblock not only keeps your skin protected but also works on replenishing the natural moisture content and restoring your skin’s natural suppleness. Furthermore, its airless packaging helps keep it shielded from air contact thereby preventing any chances of oxidation. Sweat-proof, hypoallergenic, and free of paraben and harmful Ingredients, you can trust this mineral sunscreen for days of fun under the sun!

Key ingredients:

Rice bran oil, Heartleaf extract, Moringa seed oil, Daisy flower extracts, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramide NP, Non-nano Zinc oxide

Quick Tip

Add a few drops of your highlighter to your sunscreen and blend it thoroughly well. This gives your skin a natural dewy finish.

8

Banila Co It Radiant CC Cream Best Korean sunscreen

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Sign us up as fans of the Banila Co It Radiant CC Cream! It is a sunscreen that doubles up as CC cream. It gently protects the skin against the sun and also soothes and hydrates it. And as an added bonus it makes for a great makeup base so you can swiftly layer it to look flawless while also being safe from the sun’s rays. The formula is also infused with white flower water that helps to remedy the skin texure, leaving behind a gentle radiance. Keep reapplying under the eyes throughout the day to ensure a lasting glow.

Key Ingredients: Chamomile flower, Rosemary leaf, Lotus extract, Refined water

9

Best for Dry Skin

LabNo Cicaloe Relief Sun Milk

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The perfect sunblock for dry skin, this K-beauty sunscreen will make your skin moisturized to its peak. While it has a delicate lemon scent, rest assured that it is not an artificial fragrance. The luscous odour comes from organic oils like orange oil and Mandarin orange peel oil. Dry skin is infamously susceptible to irritation (3). Keeping that in mind this sunscreen uses gentle, natural ingredients to prevent harsh exposure to the skin. Plus, it blends seamlessly with foundation and is barely noticeable.

Key ingredients: Orange oil, Mandarin orange peel oil, Aloe vera extract

10

On the Go Mineral Powder Brush On Sunscreen by Au Natural Skinfood

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Looking for something completely out of the box? The On the Go Mineral Powder K-beauty sunscreen has a built in brush! It protects your skin from the sun on the go and it is completely oil free. The powder in the sunscreen is a mineral powder than can be gently brushed onto the skin. The K-beauty sunscreen powder is made with natural ingredients that are safe enough to be consumed including honey, avocado oil, kiwi fruit extract and grape seed oil. The prebiotic powers of honey help to strengthen the skin and keep it protected from the sun. Less is more with this one, just apply a tiny dab onto your skin and you are good to go!

Key ingredients: Honey, Avocado oil, Kiwi fruit extract, Grape seed oil

11

Benton Skin Fit Mineral Sun Cream

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A rosemary scented formula made with witch hazel extract, the Benton Skin Fit Mineral Sun Cream is tailored to sensitive skin, helping soothe it from irritation while also preventing sun damage. The lightweight, hydrating texture spreads evenly with ease without leaving a white cast. The K-beauty sunscreen also contains niacinamide, an ingredient widely popular for its skin brightening properties, leaving behind radiant skin. The scent is au-naturale, and comes from the rosemary essential oils used in the formulation of the sunscreen. 

Key ingredients: Witch hazel extract, Rosemary oil, Niacinamide

SPF Content
The SPF rating will tell you how well the sunscreen will protect your skin. The higher the number, the better your skin is shielded from the UV rays. A good rule of thumb is to look for products with a minimum of SPF 30. Lucky for us, most K-beauty sunscreens have an SPF score of 30 or higher. 

Ingredients

Our contributor Dr. Chacon says, “One must look for sunscreens with natural ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection. Chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate should be avoided.”

Among minerals, zinc oxide is a constant across all korean sunscreen products. Not only does it protect our skin against both UVA and UVB rays, but it also protects against sweat and pollution (4). Look for minerals in the ingredients as they enrich the skin with antioxidants thus preventing aging and other skin issues. Organic ingredients like aloe vera, natural fruit oils, and tea-tree oil help to soothe and hydrate the skin. They also have calming properties that help tone down irritated skin. 

Texture

The texture of the sunscreen is the most crucial. It should feel comfortable to the touch and should suit your skin type. Dry skin folks should opt for ultra-hydrating cream based formulations while sensitive skin and oily skin folks should go for water based sunscreens for a gentler effect. 

Sun safety is an absolute must and should not be ignored under any cost. The UV rays emitted by the scorching sun is an invisible threat to not only our skin, but also our overall health and well being. Our top selection of the best Korean mineral sunscreens is an all-compassing list that’ll help you pick your holy grail K-beauty sunscreen. Their innovative UV-protecting formulas will eliminate the annoying sticky, heavy texture of conventional sunscreen and to touch feels more like a lightweight moisturizer. You can simply layer it under your makeup as a flawless base or wear it as is. Plus K-beauty sunscreens provide added benefits and properties like brightness and hydration on top of conventional sun protection. This is credited to their constant innovation and cutting edge technology. Shop away!

Pro Tip

Every skin type requires a different sunscreen. Before purchasing your SPF, check your skin type and the ingredients that suit it best.

Contributor: Dr. Anna Chacon, Dermatologist - MyPsoriasisTeam