8 best Korean sunscreens I've tested, starting from £14
The world of Korean skincare is vast – and launches consistently impressive – but the Korean sunscreens category in particular might be the most innovative. Korean sunscreens have gained increasing popularity for their cosmetic elegance, innovative ingredients, broad-spectrum UV protection, and added skincare benefits, Y. Claire Chang, MD told me, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm. “As awareness of the importance of SPF protection grows, Korean sunscreens are becoming increasingly popular for daily use,” says Charlotte Cho, aesthetician and cofounder of Then I Met You and Soko Glam.
To help you find the best options, I spoke with Korean skincare experts including dermatologists, aestheticians, and fellow editors who use Korean sunscreens daily – and put top-rated products through their paces. Below, Glamour editors, Dr. Chang, Cho, and Erica Choi, aesthetician and founder of Superegg, share their top picks. One thing's for sure: you can forget about greasy texture, chalky finishes, and hard-to-apply formulas that cause makeup pilling.
Featured in this guide:
How I tested Korean sunscreens:
When reviewing each Korean sunscreen for this story – from chemical to mineral sunscreens – myself and my fellow editors made note of its ingredient list, which skin types it’s best for, and its key benefits. You'll see lots of faces pictured in this guide: mine, Jenifer Calle's (Glamour’s senior commerce editor, who has oily skin) and Sophie Cockett's (Glamour's Senior European Commerce Editor who has combination skin). I didn't want to take control of testing alone – as what works for me might not work for someone else. So, we worked together to test across a variety of skin tones and types. We're endeavouring to add more as time goes on.
Aside from product testing, I also consulted with K-beauty experts and dermatology clinics specialising in Korean skincare to help Glamour readers make the most informed decision.
Why you can trust me:
Since my introduction to K-beauty brands in 2016, I’ve gravitated toward their innovative delivery systems and gentle efficacy. Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of the most popular launches, including snail-mucin creams, Korean cleansing oils, Korean retinol serum, and cushion foundations. I regularly travel to Seoul and research the latest emerging trends and viral Korean skincare launches. During my time there, I have talked to cosmetic chemists and brand founders about what makes Korean sunscreens so special. I also preview OTC reformulations with FDA-approved filters and test them side by side against the originals sold in Korea.
Ahead, the very best Korean sunscreens I've tried.
1. Best for Combination Skin: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+
K-beauty brand Beauty of Joseon is known for its lightweight formulas that rely on skin-friendly natural ingredients, and this sunscreen for sensitive skin (and combination skin, actually) follows that approach well, making it particularly suitable for sensitive skin types. It includes soothing probiotic ingredients, such as a bio ferment that is designed to help reduce the likelihood of breakouts, without stripping moisture or triggering irritation.
Sophie Cockett's Review: "I've been tied to a particular, non-Korean and very expensive priming SPF for the longest time, and I knew it was going to take something pretty special to drag me away from it. At least permanently. But, I'm excited to share that this Korean sunscreen has become my daily sunscreen. And it's so much more attainable from a price-point perspective than what I was using before. Thank God.
“The texture feels deliciously smooth on application, sitting somewhere between a light cream and a milky lotion, so it gives a hydrating feel without ever tipping into something heavy or greasy. Over the course of the day, it settles into a soft, natural matte finish that never looks dry or chalky, making it easy to forget I’m even wearing it. I don't love the smell, it's slightly chemical-y, IMO, but the price point more than makes up for it. I'm such a fan and can't wait to try more from Beauty of Joseon.”
More to know:
- Type: Chemical,
- Key ingredients: Rice extract, ginseng, niacinamide, panthenol, ferments, modern UV filters.
- SPF: 50+.
- Oil-free: Yes.
READ MORE: The best sunscreens for mature skin, tried and tested over months.
2. Best for Oily Skin: Anua Zero-Cast Moisturising Finish Sunscreen (SPF 50)
As anyone with oily skin knows, heavy sunscreens are no friend to a greasy T-zone. If you’re looking for a formula that’s oil-free and noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores), try this lightweight formula from Anua. Although it’s infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol, it still manages to deliver a lightweight, fast-absorbing feel that’s perfect for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types. It’s also water-resistant, making it an ideal choice for outdoor activities and workouts.
Sarah Y Wu's Review: “It can be tricky to find a sunscreen for oily skin that doesn’t feel chalky and drying,” Wu says. “This one does a great job balancing a hydrating formula with a lightweight, non-greasy feel. The cap has a little well in it where you can measure out your recommended amount of sunscreen, but I usually just go with two full fingers for any formula. It blends in easily and leaves a smooth, natural finish. It’s not completely matte but doesn’t get greasy throughout the day.”
Jenifer Calle's Review: “This is a hydrating sunscreen that doesn’t leave me feeling greasy. I have a nice glow after using it and it’s gentle enough to wear on sensitive skin. I had some breakouts when I tested this and it felt soothing without irritating my skin. Its also a cute bottle but it is small, and with two finger tip applications daily, I can see myself going through this product very fast.”
More to know:
- Sunscreen Type: Chemical
- Highlights: Oil-free and noncomedogenic formula; water-resistant (80 minutes); natural finish
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate)
3. Best for Face and Body: Innisfree Daily UV Defense (SPF 36)
This invisible-finish sunscreen is a must-have for face and body amongst editors and experts alike. It has a blend of green tea to help address redness and soothe inflammation, plus sunflower-seed oil to hydrate and nourish the skin. Mix that all with cica—a skincare ingredient derived from centella asiatica (a.k.a. tiger grass) that soothes, repairs, and deeply moisturises sensitive skin, and you’re left with this potent concoction that protects skin for hours, especially on dry areas like hands. The texture is lightweight and very hydrating, and leaves behind a soft matte finish that doesn’t make you look shiny or greasy, even as you go about your day. We recommend the larger bottle for body sunscreen protection.
Alanna Martine Kilkeary's Review: “I’ve tried a lot of different sunscreens in my day, and this is one of the very best I’ve ever gotten my hands on. It’s lightweight, super silky to the touch and my skin simply drinks it up. All you need is about one pump to saturate your entire face and it’ll dry down quickly without leaving a cast behind. I add on a layer of my tinted moisturiser on top and I’m good to go for hours.”
Jenifer Calle's Review: “This sunscreen was one of the first K-beauty sunscreens I tried and I recommend it to everyone. I even got a compliment from a makeup artist and I pointed them to this Innisfree SPF. While the texture is on the thicker side, after some rubbing it absorbs nicely onto the skin without feeling greasy or sticky—and no white cast. I can layer full glam on top and it doesn’t pill either. The bottle also lasts a long time even though I’m using it almost daily. I’ve used it on my arms and legs when going out for a run on the weekends. I actually need to restock on more now.”
More to know:
- Sunscreen Type: Mineral
- Highlights: Has a lightweight, silky finish; dries quickly; has no white cast; hydrates skin
- Key ingredients: Green tea extract, sunflower seed oil, cica
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate)
4. Best for Acne Prone Skin: Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
This fast-absorbing sunscreen is a recent addition to my routine, but I’ve been obsessed with the way it instantly brightens my skin. Formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a blend of 10 vitamins (including vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid and vitamin B3, a.k.a. niacinamide), it has a lightweight cream texture that feels just like my favourite face moisturisers. The finish this sunscreen leaves is truly so glowy, I’d describe it as an illuminator-like gleam. It never crosses over into greasy territory, but it has prompted several friends to ask what highlighter I’m wearing. I especially love the inclusion of brightening vitamin C in my sunscreen because of its proven antioxidant properties, which help fight free radical damage from UV rays.
Sarah Wu's Review: “The finish this sunscreen leaves is truly so glowy, I’d describe it as an illuminator-like gleam. It never crosses over into greasy territory, but it has prompted several friends to ask what highlighter I’m wearing. I especially love the inclusion of brightening vitamin C in my sunscreen because of its proven antioxidant properties, which help fight free radical damage from UV rays.”
Jenifer Calle's Review: “I didn’t expect to like this sunscreen because it’s on the thicker side, but it rubs in so well and gives me an amazing glow (just peep my picture). I tend to break out around my jawline and I can trust non-comedogenic sunscreen not to irritate that area. Overall it’s a great sunscreen for acne-prone skin that leaves skin fully moisturised. I always feel great using this SPF because of the added skin care benefits. I layer it on to every nook and cranny like my eyelids, ear lobes, and all the way down my neck. It glides on easily even though the texture feels a bit thicker compared to others. I have combination skin and like the glowy finish but it might feel too heavy on extremely oily skin types.”
More to know:
- SPF rating: 50
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone)
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and 10 vitamins (including vitamin C and vitamin B3)
- Highlights: Leaves a very glowy (but not greasy) finish, lightweight, hydrating, brightening ingredients
5. Best Tinted Korean Sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen
Beauty of Joseon’s famous Relief Sun might be TikTok’s most viral Korean sunscreen. It feels surprisingly lightweight and fast-absorbing for a mineral sunscreen, and comes in 12 sheer tints made to double as your daily tinted base. Wu loves the formula, which she says feels much lighter than her other mineral sunscreens.
Sarah Wu's Review: “Going off the texture alone, I would never guess that this is a zinc oxide formula,” she says. “It feels so fluid and weightless, and I’m obsessed with the natural finish it leaves. This tinted sunscreen is sheer and forgiving — more like a blurring filter for your skin than a full-on foundation. On days when I don’t feel like wearing makeup but still want to even out my skin tone and give it a beautiful glow, I always reach for this.”
More to know:
- SPF rating: 40
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (zinc oxide)
- Key ingredients: Olive lipids, artemisia capillaris extract
- Highlights: Fast-absorbing texture, easy to blend, 12 sheer shades for a wide range of skin tones
6. Best Fast-Absorbing Korean Sunscreen: Tirtir Hydro UV Shield Sunscreen
You may know Tirtir for its TikTok-viral red cushion foundation, but the brand recently launched its first FDA-approved chemical sunscreen. After putting it to the test, we were impressed by the natural finish and fast-absorbing formula. The formula contains hydrating skincare ingredients including hyaluronic acid, collagen, panthenol, and aloe vera — but doesn’t feel heavy or sticky. It also doesn’t leave a white cast behind no matter how much you apply (read also, my guide on how much sunscreen to apply to your face).
Sarah Wu's Review: “This sunscreen is especially great for combination or oily skin,” says Wu. “If you’re looking for something that leaves more of a natural finish and hydrates without being too dewy, I’d recommend this formula. It also layers great under any foundation formula, including the viral Tirtir cushion compact.”
More to know:
- SPF rating: 50+
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone)
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, phyto-collagen, aloe vera, pantheno
- Highlights: Lightweight feel, non-greasy natural finish, no white cast, layers well under makeup
7. Best for Redness: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Here’s a tinted sunscreen in a shade you might not expect: green. Innisfree’s colour-correcting formula uses a super-sheer green base to help immediately neutralise any visible redness.
Jen Calle's Review: “I have combination skin and sometimes get red around my nose and cheeks. The green (though it’s more like jade colour) diminishes any redness. But, you do have to rub it in pretty well to avoid any white cast since it’s a thick consistency,” says Glamour’s Calle. She ranks this among her favourite sunscreens because of its “glowy finish.”
More to know:
- SPF rating: 45
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (zinc oxide)
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, cica
- Highlights: Soothing and hydrating ingredients, tinted to instantly neutralise redness
8. Best Korean Sunscreen Stick: Abib Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar
This moisturising sunscreen stick is one of the best we’ve ever tried in the genre. It has SPF 50+ to protect skin from free radical and UV rays, as well as sunflower-seed oil to gently moisturise, and allantoin to calm skin, eliminate redness, and soften fine lines and texture. It also contains ectoin, which helps shield skin from environmental damage and stress. We love how buttery the formula is, how easily it swipes onto skin and how it makes our complexion feel after the fact—bouncy, bright and soft.
Jenifer Calle's Review: “This sunscreen stick is always with me in the summer or when I travel. I pull it out of my tote and reapply if I’m outside for long hours or if the UV is on the high end. It glides on smoothly and doesn’t completely disturb my makeup. It’s impossible not to smudge your blush a little bit, but for the most part I can apply it on top of makeup and still have it on intact. It has a dewy finish that absorbs after a while, and doesn’t feel too heavy. Reapplying is always tricky but this SPF stick makes it easy.”
Sarah Wu's Review: “The shape isn’t just a gimmick; it truly makes sunscreen easier to reapply when I’m on the go,” she says. “And the radiant finish is so flattering on bare skin or over makeup.”
More to know:
- SPF rating: 50+
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (homosalate, octocrylene, avobenzone, octisalate)
- Key ingredients: Ectoine, allantoin, sunflower seed oil unsaponifiables
- Highlights: Easy-to-use sun stick, travel-friendly, glides on smooth
Other Korean sunscreens we tried
- If you’re looking to address dark spots in your SPF routine, we liked the Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Spot UV Defense, because it’s packed with vitamin C plus niacinamide to brighten dull skin and eliminate areas of hyperpigmentation. The formula is not too runny or thick, but has a lightweight in-between texture that hydrates and gives off a veil of glow. We ultimately cut it from our list because our testers found it could sting around our eye area.
- Another sunscreen that works well as a makeup primer is the Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen. It’s packed with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and panthenol to plump and firm skin, creating a great canvas for makeup products to seamlessly glide on top. However, it’s a bit pricey compared to other formulas that we liked just as much.
- Maybe you’re in the market for a mineral sunscreen? We recommend Lightsaver Tinted Activated Mineral Sunscreen. It helps hydrate dryness, corrects uneven skin tone with niacinamide and leaves you looking radiant. But, it’s expensive for the size, which is why it didn’t make the cut this time around.
- Our testers liked Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen. It’s a top-rated tinted Korean sunscreen and works well on most skin types. However, the low shade options (12 and usually out of stock) and runny products fell short for us.
READ MORE: The very best sunscreens for dark skin that leave no white cast.
Your Korean Sunscreen FAQs, Answered:
What’s the difference between Korean sunscreens and UK & US sunscreens?
Some of the most popular K-beauty sunscreens have the advantage of using UV filters we don’t have access to in the UK or US. “Korean sunscreen filters are remarkably advanced, offering a weightless, hydrating, and natural finish that sets them apart from traditional sunscreens,” says Charlotte Cho, a licensed aesthetician. So, why aren’t they available the UK brands? “Sunscreen testing and approval processes vary globally,” says Dr. Chang. “In the US," for example, “sunscreens are considered a drug that undergoes strict FDA testing and regulation.”
The FDA’s short list of approved sunscreen filters, which hasn’t been updated since 1999, includes ingredients like titanium dioxide or octinoxate but excludes many of the options available in other countries. To keep products on store shelves in the UK or US, many Korean skincare brands have reformulated their products with FDA-compliant filters to be sold over-the-counter (OTC) in the States. Pair them with Korean skin-care products you can always find in American retailers, like the best Korean moisturisers, retinols, and best CosRx products.
Do dermatologists recommend Korean sunscreens?
Yes, dermatologists we spoke with recommend Korean sunscreen, though the SPF of 30 or higher, ideally SPF 50 is most important. Choosing the right sunscreen also depends on your skin type, according to Rachel Nazarian, MD and board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology. If you have oily skin, Dr. Nazarian says to look out for formulas that are oil-free and noncomedogenic, while dry skin types will benefit most from formulas with hyaluronic acid or ceramides.
“For people who have sensitive skin (including babies, children, or those with rosacea or allergies to the ingredients in chemical sunscreens), I love to recommend mineral sunscreens,” she adds. These formulas are typically tinted (and may sometimes leave a cast behind) but are good for people wanting to block visible light from sun exposure.
While Dr. Chang and Cho recognise the appeal of Korean sunscreen SPF filters, there are still plenty of great FDA-approved K-beauty sunscreen brands. Dr. Chang says that these formulas offer the “multifunctional” benefits K-beauty is known for, “combining UV-blocking ingredients with active ingredients that have other skin benefits, like moisturising, brightening, free radical fighting, and anti-ageing properties.” They also feature broad-spectrum protection, meaning they protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Rest assured, this list still features formulas that feel light and easy to wear, no matter your skin type.
Meet the experts:
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City
- Charlotte Cho, licensed esthetician based in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You skin care brand and Soko Glam online beauty retailer
- Ethan Hwang Wonuk, MD, cosmetic physician at Cheongdam LeBelle Dermatologic Clinic in Seoul
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Rachel Nazarian, MD and board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology.
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