The 10 Best K-Beauty Sunscreens for Ultimate UV Protection

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Wearing daily SPF is non-negotiable, but even the most knowledgeable beauty lovers may not know that all formulas aren’t created equally. The best Korean sunscreens are considered the crown jewels of sun protection, as these coveted formulas contain advanced skincare technology that many top U.S. facial sunscreens aren’t yet equipped with.

Along with skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera, cica, and green tea, most K-Beauty sunscreens use unique UVA filters (typically signified by the letters “PA”) that are slightly more powerful than the staples found at your local drugstore. According to the Food and Drug Administration, sunscreens in other countries are regarded as cosmetics, not as drugs, but tubes sold in the U.S. are regulated as such because they make these claims.

"One of the main differences between Korean sun care and that in the States versus other countries, is that there are more advancements and innovations in sun filters in Korea," esthetician and Soko Glam co-founder Charlotte Cho tells Bazaar. "The advancement of special sun filters has allowed Korean sunscreen textures to be very lightweight and not leave a white cast, making them more versatile for a wider variety of skin types and tones."

If you’re looking to up the suncare ante, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Korean sunscreens to shop right now. From Dr. Jart+ and Etude House's top-rated mineral picks to featherweight fluids from Missha and Neogen that won't leave behind a white cast on darker skin tones, these products are ideal for just about any routine. Keep reading for a few of the best Korean sunscreens shoppers and skin professionals always reach for.

Related: The Best Facial Sunscreens You'll Actually Want to Wear Every Day

Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen

An SPF best-seller, Neogen's lightweight sunscreen uses nourishing plant extracts like aloe, avocado, acai, and hibiscus to moisturize and calm skin. Because it’s made to help control sebum production, this product is highly recommended for people who deal with oily skin and clogged pores. Plus, many happy customers rave about the lightweight and nongreasy formula.

• Active ingredients: aloe, avocado, acai, and hibiscus

• SPF level: 50

• Type: chemical and mineral

• Best for: oily and combination skin types

Customer review: "I cannot recommend this enough! I’m an esthetician that was on the hunt for the perfect sunscreen, and I think I found it. Applies like a dream, leaves absolutely no white cast even on deeper Fitzpatrick types, smells nice and light, and best of all, contains no pore clogging ingredients! Neogen thank you for creating such a stellar product. I cannot recommend this enough!" —Elise

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Sun Project Light Sun Essence

This popular broad-spectrum sunscreen from Thank You Farmer absorbs quickly as it hydrates skin, thanks to ingredients like lotus water, soybean lipid, and portulaca extract. It also leaves behind a semi-matte finish—ideal for anyone who deals with T-zone shine—and features a subtle apricot scent once it's rubbed in.

• Active ingredients: nelumbo nucifera flower water, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, althaea rosea flower extract

• SPF level: 50+

• Type: chemical
  

• Best for: all skin types

Customer review: "Best sunscreen I’ve ever tried. It really is lightweight doesn’t leave white marks on the skin and feels amazing. I sincerely recommend this." —Isabelle

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Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36

For an everyday sun care staple, look no further than this coveted SPF 36 tube from Innisfree, which more than 2,700 Sephora shoppers are raving about. It also combines green tea, cica, and sunflower oil to nourish and hydrate skin while minimizing redness. Not to mention, the brand promises that you’ll get no white cast from this particular product.

• Active ingredients: green tea, cica, sunflower seed oil

• SPF level: 36

• Type: chemical

• Best for: dry and combination skin types

Customer review: "I have been using this for a good 8 months. And I can say that it’s an amazing sunscreen. I get this natural glow after I apply it. And my combination skin just loves it." —mkour15

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Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+ PA+++

This mineral sunscreen is ideal for sensitive skin, since it uses more than 20 plant-based ingredients, including aloe vera and acai berry, to block and reflect UV rays. And if you're prone to redness, the sun milk also nicely includes centella asiatica to soothe irritation. Unlike most mineral sunscreens, this one gets high marks for not leaving a white cast and the non-sticky formula gives it a lightweight feel.

• Active ingredients: Centella asiatica, acai berry, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid

• SPF level: 50+

• Type: mineral

• Best for: sensitive skin types

Customer review: "I was hesitant to try this because my face is super picky and sensitive to lotions and creams, but I'm so glad I did. I've been searching for literal years trying to find a sunscreen moisturizer for my face that doesn't make my face feel greasy and doesn't make me break out. I've tried soooo many brands and just couldn't find anything, but this stuff is magic! It feels so light and comfortable on my skin and not greasy at all." —Jesse G.

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Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+

We're obsessed with just about everything viral beauty brand CosRX creates, including this SPF 50+ sunscreen. If you're already a fan of the brand's culty snail mucin essence, we highly suggest adding this staple to your skincare rotation, which uses vitamin E's antioxidant protection to guard against UV rays.

• Active ingredients: vitamin E, cotton extract, silica, cocoa extract

• SPF level: 50+

• Type: chemical

• Best for: dry and sensitive skin types

Customer review: "I love this SPF. Great for dry skin, very soft, and doesn't ever pill up on me. My favorite everyday sunscreen, I will always repurchase." —Purpletiger79

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Every Sun Day Sun Fluid SPF 50+

Many of Dr. Jart's products are tried and true among K-beauty lovers and skincare enthusiasts alike. This top-rated, broad-spectrum sun fluid not only leaves behind a cooling sensation that counteracts the sun's heat but also uses vitamin E to help skin retain its moisture.

• Active ingredients: vitamin E, homosalate, octinoxate, avobenzone, silica

• SPF level: 50+

• Type: chemical

• Best for: all skin types

Customer review: "Very smooth, soaks into skin, not sticky or greasy. No white cast after it’s absorbed and works great under makeup. Slight chemical sunscreen smell dissipates quickly. No irritation to sensitive skin and eyes. My go-to sunscreen when wearing makeup." —Cleophatra

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All-Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk EX SPF 50+/PA+++

Missha's popular Sun Milk has a silky, featherweight texture that sinks into your complexion and a special UV technology that makes it water- and sweat-resistant. Plus, its stick-free formula nicely leaves behind a matte finish once it's applied, making it a great choice for an everyday sunscreen, particularly for oily and combination skin.

• Active ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide

• SPF level: 50+/PA+++

• Type: chemical

• Best for: oily and combination skin types

Customer review: "I tried this as a facial sunscreen because of the matte finish. Most facial sunscreens leave my face feeling and looking oily. This one is easily absorbed and doesn’t feel or look oily. I can’t even tell I have it on and it makes my skin feel great. Love it so far." —Judy@San Diego

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Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

Here's the mineral version of Dr. Jart's SPF 50 Every Sun Day sunscreen, which has a creamy, weightless texture that's ideal for dry skin. Its powerhouse combo of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide team up to protect your skin from UV rays. And while Every Sun Day is a physical sunscreen, its formula easily blends into skin and features a matte finish.

• Active ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide

• SPF level: 50+

• Type: mineral

• Best for: dry and combination skin types

Customer review: "I tried this sunscreen because I have been looking for a mineral sunscreen for a while and I've heard great things about the Dr Jart brand. I'm very happy that I tried this sunscreen! It is so blendable and it just melts into the skin so easily." —Milaaaaaaaaa

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Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

If you deal with skin irritation on a regular basis, consider this mineral and reef-safe sunscreen from Hero Cosmetics that features a green tint to minimize the appearance of redness. It’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making it one of the best K-Beauty options for acne-prone skin.

• Active ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide

• SPF level: 30

• Type: mineral

• Best for: acne-prone skin types

Customer review: "This is the best mineral sunscreen!! It's the only one that doesn't irritate my skin or cause me any breakouts. It doesn't even feel like you're wearing sunscreen on your face! This just works so well with the chemistry of my skin. I notice zero peeling or dryness from sun damage anymore, no rashes or breakouts from clogged pores. There's nothing bad about this product. Please keep it forever and don't ever discontinue it! I can't live without it!" —Jasmine

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Green Apple Vegan Sun Cream

Don't let the color of this apple-scented SPF 50 sunscreen scare you: it uses a slight green tint to correct redness, plus niacinamide to calm and soothe your complexion. It’s also 100 percent vegan, so you can feel extra good about your new skincare purchase.

• Active ingredients: niacinamide, apple extract, centella asiatica extract, broccoli extract, medicinal wheat extract, persimmon leaf extract, green tea extract, chestnut bark extract, safflower extract

• SPF level: 50+

• Type: mineral

• Best for: sensitive skin types

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Meet the Experts

• Charlotte Cho is an aesthetician and the founder of K-Beauty marketplace, Soko Glam.

• Ashley Gray is a licensed esthetician and the owner of Ashthetics Skincare in Newport Beach, California.

What makes Korean sunscreens different than those found in the U.S.?

According to Cho, many Asian countries like Korea have widely approved special sun filters that block harmful UVA and UVB rays. Some of these filters are still not approved for sale in the United States, which places limits on importing and exporting these K-beauty products in particular.

What should I look for in one of the best Korean sunscreens?

• SPF: Experts suggest keeping an eye out for sunscreens that are SPF 50 or higher.

• Ingredients for sensitive skin: “Korean sunscreens are commonly used for skin types that are more sensitive to not only the sun, but skincare products in general,” esthetician Ashley Gray says. As previously mentioned, other sensitive skin-friendly ingredients in Korean skincare include aloe vera, cica, and green tea.

• Finish: Depending on your preferences, some Korean sunscreens have a white cast, dewy or matte finish. Reviewing comments and product descriptions can help you find the best one for you.

How should I apply Korean sunscreen?

“When applying Korean sunscreen, make sure you cover all areas of your skin that are open to sun exposure, while also avoiding the eye to prevent irritation,” Gray adds. “Make sure to reapply every two hours, especially if you are swimming or sweating.”

Before you apply your sunscreen, Gray also recommends testing a spot behind your ear to make sure you don’t develop any reaction within 12 hours.

Why trust Harper’s Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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