The hunt for the best sunscreens is on as the need for daily sun protection becomes increasingly harder to ignore. In that context, Korean brands are leading the way with cutting-edge UV filters that make their sunscreens significantly superior to alternatives in the market. The best Korean sunscreens contain next-gen formulas that feel lightweight on the skin and blend seamlessly under makeup without leaving behind the unwelcome white cast. 

Based on our experience and expertise, we can say with certainty that not all sunscreens are created equal. Especially the catch with US-based sunscreens is that most mineral sunscreens leave an unflattering white residue, while those with chemical filters tend to feel heavy and greasy. That’s mostly because currently, the FDA has greenlit just 14 sunscreen filters, the latest being approved in 1999, and these are just not good enough to make people WANT their sunscreen on!

Meanwhile, in Europe and Asia, sunscreen is classified as a cosmetic product with far fewer restrictions. Brands in the EU and Korea have over 30 state-of-the-art sunscreen filter options at their disposal. Thanks to these trailblazing formulas, Korean sunscreen products tend to be lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy and go on without leaving behind a ghostly white residue.

Moreover, based on our observations, Korean brands, more often than not, have both SPF and PA ratings on their sunscreens or are “broad spectrum” — in other words, the sunscreens are formulated to protect against both UVA and UVB.

There’s more, as Koreans take their skincare pretty seriously and never settle for one good thing when they can have multiple! Ergo, the top Korean sunscreens are integrated with ingredients that can keep the skin hydrated, nourished, and soothed, no matter your level of outdoor activity. Some of the most popular Korean sunscreens also act as color-correctors, illuminators, and protectors of skin-barrier function. Win-win-win!

Needless to say, with their innovative designs and textures, Korean sunscreens are revolutionizing sun protection and making UV protection effortlessly easy to incorporate into every skincare routine. You won’t want to miss out on this much goodness — we know we don’t! So, read on to acquaint yourself with our favorites and take your pick!

• 1
  Best Overall

  Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen

  Buy on Amazon

The Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen protects the skin with broad spectrum SPF 36 and checks all the right boxes: smooth application, lightweight texture, strong protection, soothing formula, and affordable price! We seriously love the silky smooth and lightweight texture, which feels more like a moisturizer than a traditional grainy sunscreen. 

On using the product, we found that it blends in effortlessly and leaves just a subtle glow and no white cast! It contains hydrating, soothing, and protective ingredients like green tea, cica, and sunflower seed oil and does not irritate the eyes or the skin at all, which makes it a great pick as a daily-use sunscreen. Plus, the travel-friendly bottle fits nicely in the bag for easy reapplication. It’s a top choice for simply the fact that it is a superior quality sunscreen that doesn't break the bank!

Type: Chemical Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Green Tea, Cica, Sunflower Seed Oil

Suited For: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily Skin

2

Best for Humidity Resistance

Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk

Buy on Amazon

MISSHA Soft Finish Sun Milk provides superb sun protection in a lightweight, non-greasy formula. With SPF50+ and PA+++, this sunscreen shields the skin from both UVA and UVB rays to prevent sun damage and premature aging.

Don’t let its potency scare you! Despite the high SPF, the formulation gives a soft, matte finish to make the skin feel smooth and velvety. We found that its lightweight, quick-absorbing texture is comfortable to wear all day and keeps the skin fresh without any stickiness. It also has a light pink tint that helps even out skin tone and conceal imperfections when worn alone. However, it can look slightly ashy on darker skin tones if not applied properly. All in all, we found this Korean sunscreen to be a superb choice for mineral sunscreen lovers who need solid sun protection without residue or greasiness!

Type: Mineral Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide

Suited For: Sensitive, Acne-prone and Oily Skin

Quick Tip:

In colder months or if you have dry skin, you can layer it over serums or creams for optimum results.

3

Best for Acne-prone Skin

Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen

Buy on Amazon

The Hero Force Shield with SPF 30 is specially formulated for people with oily skin and acne. Therefore by design, it doesn't leave a heavy or greasy feeling while it works to shield the skin against both UVA and UVB rays. The green tone of the formula may come as a surprise, but it helps balance skin redness! 

Oily skin types will love how wonderfully the formula blends to give a light, breathable, matte finish (minus the dryness). It is especially a boon for those with tan, olive, and dark skin tones as it becomes virtually invisible — not a feat many mineral sunscreens can boast of! Overall, if you're looking for a lightweight, breathable sunscreen that won't irritate your skin or clog your pores, we recommend this one. 

Type: Mineral Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Green Surge, and Extremolytes

Suited For: Acne-prone and Oily Skin

4

Best for Semi-Matte Finish

COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen

Buy on Amazon

With SPF 50+ broad spectrum protection and a semi-matte finish that controls shine, the COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen has everything you need to care for your skin while caring for the planet. Based on our analysis of the product, this dermatologist-tested formula not only protects but also nurtures the skin. Its key ingredients, vitamin E and soothing cocoa extract defend against free radicals, dryness, and signs of aging while cotton extract and silica work together to control excess oil and sebum. 

We found that the texture is lightweight, fast absorbing, and easy to blend. All in all, this one is a high-performance Korean sunscreen that exceeds the task of simple sun protection and reaches greater heights of conscious and wholesome skincare!  

Type: Chemical Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Cacao, and Cotton 

Suited For: Sensitive, Oily, Dry, Normal, and Combination Skin

5

Most Lightweight on Skin

NEOGEN DERMALOGY Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen

Buy on Amazon

Here’s introducing a featherlight sunscreen that shields the skin while nourishing it with nature's botanicals: Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen from NEOGEN Dermalogy. This innovative formulation harnesses the power of 20 plant extracts to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, even under harsh sunlight. Based on our analysis of the product, its key ingredients, Damask rose, aloe vera, raspberry, and avocado extracts offer intensive moisturization, while baobab, purslane, and yarrow soothe and calm the skin. 

What we love the most about this highly rated and popular Korean sunscreen is its lightweight and non-greasy texture that glides on effortlessly, without any stickiness or white cast. We also like its ability to control excess oil and sebum, which results in a soft, silky finish. The bottom line: pick this to experience weightless coverage and skin nutrition in one simple step!

Type: Chemical Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Damask Rose, Aloe Vera, Raspberry, Avocado Fruit

Suited For: Sensitive, Oily, Dry, Normal, and Combination Skin

6

Best for Combination Skin

THANKYOU FARMER Sun Project Light Sun Essence

Buy on Amazon

THANKYOU FARMER’s Sun Project Light Sun Essence is an innovative K-beauty sunscreen that protects the skin with SPF50+ PA+++ filters and delivers advanced skincare. Its ingredients are mindfully mild — the skin-quenching lotus extracts soothe, nourish, and balance the complexion while the fatty acids work to keep skin supple, regulate sebum levels, and minimize the appearance of large pores.

On trying the product, we found the texture to be wonderfully lightweight — it goes on like a silky moisturizer and spreads evenly into a sheer and satin finish. No greasy residue, no white cast, and no chalkiness. It’s not fragrance-free, but its fresh and mild floral scent is hard not to like, even for those with scent sensitivities. If you've struggled to find the perfect sunscreen that gives a glow without clogging pores and works seamlessly, with or without makeup, this could be the one!

Type: Chemical Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Fatty Acids, Lotus Extract

Suited For: Oily and Combination Skin

7

Best for Dry and Dehydrated Skin

A'PIEU Pure Block Aqua Sun Gel

Buy on Amazon

Sun-guard your skin with Aqua Sun Gel, a superbly hydrating Korean sunscreen that feels like a moisturizer, yet glides on clear without leaving a tacky feel or white cast. It comes with SPF 50+ and PA+++ protection, which is awesome considering how lightweight and nourishing the formulation is!

We love how it applies easily, smells fresh, and disappears into skin without a trace. One user shares, "After it sets I can't even tell I put it on. So moisturizing and zero white cast - I'm in love!" We agree. To experience sun protection that feels like a treat and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket, we recommend you try this one.  

Type: Chemical Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Water, Watermelon Extract, Hyaluronic Acid

Suited For: Dry, Combination, and Sensitive Skin

8

Best for Body

Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Buy on Amazon

The lightweight, quick-absorbing formula of Good Molecules Sheer Mineral Sunscreen is specially formulated to work for all skin tones — this means no white cast on dark and tan tones! We found that it is important to rub in the formula properly, which should not be a problem as this affordable sunscreen blends easily, and you don’t really need to use a lot of the product at a time! 

The ingredients in the formulation of this mineral sunscreen are perfectly suited for those with dry and sensitive skin — the zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum protection while antioxidants and hydrating ingredients such as tucuma seed butter, grapeseed oil, and hyaluronic acid work to nourish the skin. That isn’t to say that oily and combination skin types can’t or shouldn’t use this, but some with extremely oily or acne-prone skin may find it a bit too much, especially if layered over moisturizer or in summer. Overall, we consider this one of the best mineral-based Korean sunscreens that is affordable, leaves no white cast, and suits even very dark skin tones. 

Type: Mineral Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: 13.3% Zinc Oxide

Suited For: All Skin Types

9

Best for Brightening

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen

Buy on Amazon

For an easy-breezy sunscreen that protects, hydrates, and illuminates your skin, we recommend the Daily Watermelon Glow Niacinamide with SPF 50. This lightweight formula seamlessly blends mineral and chemical sunscreens to guard your skin from burning UVB rays and aging UVA rays. 

It gets better; the star ingredients aloe vera and watermelon extract bring a mega-dose of hydration to the skin while soothing irritation. Not to forget, the niacinamide evens skin texture and minimizes pores. The result? A glowy, dewy finish without any greasy residue or white cast.

Formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or other yucky stuff, this groundbreaking Korean SPF is gentle for all skin types. Simply smooth on this nourishing sunscreen as the last step in your morning skincare. It works great as a base for makeup too.  

Type: Combination of Chemical And Mineral Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Watermelon, Aloe

Suited for: All Skin Types

Quick Tip:

Mix with your moisturizer and apply if you have dry skin. This can give better results than applying moisturizer and then layering the sunscreen.

10

Best Travel-friendly Choice

St. Mege Sun Relief Lotion Rice + Probiotics

Buy on Amazon

Bask in broad-spectrum SPF 50+ PA++++ protection with the sun relief lotion that uses the powerful yet gentle combination of rice extract and probiotics to deeply hydrate and nourish the skin and support the skin’s natural barrier function.  Based on our observations and research, we found that users enjoy this sunscreen's lightweight, moisturizing texture that is a breeze to apply and blend. It’s non-greasy, quick-absorbing, and disappears into the skin, leaving behind a dewy, healthy glow.  

A happy user shares in a review, “Ahhhh, thankful to have found a sunscreen that isn’t thick and heavy. Takes just a dab to do the face and neck. Fabulously unscented.” We recommend this for fuss-free sun defense that nourishes as it shields.

Type: Chemical Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Rice Water Extract, Grain-derived Probiotics

Suited For: All Skin Types

11

ISNTREE Purple Protector Onion Newpair Sunscreen

Buy on Amazon

The Purple Protector Onion Newpair Sunscreen can become your obsession if you want a fragrance-free, broad spectrum SPF 40 PA+++ shield for your skin.  We like the creamy, moisturizing texture that comes in a unique and fun purple shade — it’s not just easy to apply, but also helps neutralize skin discoloration. 

Amongst its key ingredients, we looked at the red onion extract, which works to even skin tone, and the Soothing Complex which keeps the skin soothed and hydrated. The result: a radiant and dewy complexion that does not feel greasy. One of the biggest reasons behind its popularity and high ratings is that it suits sensitive and acne-prone skin, both tough to please and hard to shop sunscreens for! So if you want an even-toned complexion, and solid sun protection for your sensitive, dry, or blemish-prone skin, this can be a good choice as we see it. 

Type: Chemical Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Muan Onion Extract, Vitamins B, E, K

Suited for: Blemish-prone, Normal, Dry, and Combination Skin

You can say we like all of the popular Korean sunscreens on our list — all for different reasons, and some more than others, but you need to pick a product that will work for you and become your favorite sunscreen. So here’s a brief buying guide to help you get your hands on the best Korean sunscreen for YOU!

(How Well) Does It Shield Your Skin?

Two distinct types of UV rays launch a two-pronged attack when you are out in the sun. UVAs are known to penetrate deep into the skin, where they promote premature aging. UVBs cause sunburns and pave the way for skin cancers. So, you need to ensure that you are protected against both these variants. The SPF number on a sunscreen bottle only refers to UVB protection, against sunburns and skin cancers. 

But if you want anti-aging benefits from your sunscreen, you need to look for PA ratings or the term “broad-spectrum”. The plus sign beside PA ratings indicates the level of UVA defense — PA + means minimal UVA coverage, PA ++ is moderate, PA +++ is high, and PA ++++ indicates extremely high UVA protection.  Broad-spectrum, a term widely used in the US, indicates protection against both UVA and UVB, but without the rating, it is not possible to know to what extent. 

Regardless, it is good to opt for a sunscreen with a high PA rating (three or four) and at least SPF 30 for optimal sun protection. We like Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk and A'PIEU Pure Block Aqua Sun Gel for their powerful sun shields.  

Chemical or Mineral?

The filters in sunscreens that shield skin from damaging ultraviolet rays come in two main types: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, sit on top of the skin and deflect both UVA and UVB rays. Chemical sunscreens work a bit differently — they absorb UV radiation before it can damage the skin. While both are good if they are strong, mineral sunscreens (formulated most commonly with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) can create an immediate barrier and hold up well, even under humid conditions.  Chemical sunscreens on the other hand take about 15 minutes to activate (the reason why some products need to be applied at least 15 minutes before exposure). 

Both have their own set of pros and cons. Mineral sunscreens tend to leave some white cast as they sit atop the skin and are not ideal for those who are acne-prone or have combination skin. However, they are usually considered safer than chemical sunscreens, especially for those with sensitive skin, rosacea, or melasma. The ideal pick would be a sunscreen that combines both chemical and physical filters, such as the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen from Glow Recipe. 

What’s in It? 

As we are discussing Korean skincare and beauty, it's safe to say that sunscreens won’t just protect — they will do more, depending on the ingredients in the formulations beside the filters. Depending on your skin type and needs, keep an eye out for key ingredients such as aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil, niacinamide, and other botanicals for healing, hydrating, brightening, and nurturing benefits. We are a fan of COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen for all the additional goodness it brings to the table!

How Does It Feel?

You are much less likely to apply sunscreen if you do not like the texture, or how it feels on your skin. That means finding the right texture is essential. Lotions, creams, gels, and essences that are runny and light are all different kinds of consistencies that are available. What will suit you will depend on your preference and skin type, to an extent. If you have dry skin, you may feel yourself lean more towards creamy and moisturizing formulas whereas someone with oily skin may like gel or light lotion-like sunscreens. One thing you cannot go wrong with is opting for lightweight, non-greasy sunscreens that are fast absorbing and easy to spread.