How much money have you wasted on sunscreens this year?
I can give you a rough estimate of the money I wasted… this month alone.
- $150 in beauty stores that try to sell my sunscreens
- $50 wandering around on forums looking at other skincare routines (that don’t suit my skin type)
- $80 trying out different sunscreens that are supposed to work for my skin type
$250… totally gone. And that’s just this month.
Don’t make the same mistake as I did and get right the first time.
Let’s get started.
Our Pick
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
- Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract
- My All-Time Personal Favorite
- Absorbs Really Fast
Best Budget
ETUDE HOUSE Sunprise Mild Airy Finish
- Non-Sticky Sunscreen
- Mild and Safe
- Natural Ingredients
Best Premium
A’PIEU Pure Block Daily Sunscreen Cream
- Very Lightweight
- For Both in And Outdoors
- Works Very Well for Oily Skin
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Here are the 12 best Korean sunscreens for 2022
1. COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
- Best Overall
- Price: $$
- SPF 50
You might have heard about this sunscreen, it’s by far the best one on the entire market. Everyone knows about Cosrx… at least in Korea.
This sunscreen works for all skin types, and I have tested many different brands. This one ACTUALLY works, mainly because it contains Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract. [1]
Many studies show that this has a huge range of benefits for the skin, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
It’s also non-comedogenic and lightweight, making it perfect for those with oily skin.
What I love about this is that it doesn’t leave your face greasy, which a lot of other brands do.
When I first opened this I saw that the packaging was not the best. However, it probably depends on the store you get it from. The one I got was in a different language, but it’s not a big deal because you can still understand what it says.
I bought mine in South Korea, but if you live in the U.S. then Amazon is probably your best choice to get it from.
After using it the first day, I didn’t notice much.
This is normal since it’s unlikely that you get the results you want within the first week.
After using it for a few weeks, I noticed that my skin got much softer and the best part… my uneven skin tone started to fade.
It’s definitely worth the money and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good sunscreen.
2. ETUDE HOUSE Sunprise Mild Airy Finish
- Best Budget
- Price: $
- SPF 50
Don’t want to overspend on Korean sunscreen, this is the one you must have.
It’s affordable and works for every skin type. It’s 100% mineral sunscreen, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores.
It also contains Centella Asiatica, which is scientifically proven to improve the skin. This might not happen overnight, but eventually, you’ll start seeing improvements. [2]
Most importantly is that you wear this sunscreen every single day. Also when it snows or rains, because that’s how you will achieve the best results.
Most people that use this sunscreen often don’t use it on a daily basis, which diminishes the returns.
The one downside is that it’s not as popular as some of the other sunscreens on this list.
Other than that, this is a great Korean sunscreen that offers great sun protection for the price. You can’t find any better ones out there for a similar price.
So, get it now if you don’t want to waste your time, money, and energy.
3. A’PIEU Pure Block Daily Sunscreen Cream
- Best For Oily Skin
- Price: $$
- SPF 45
Do you have oily skin, and don’t know which sunscreen to go for?
This sunscreen from A’PIEU is one of the most popular ones in South Korea, and it’s even promoted by many K-pop idols. What makes this different from other sunscreens is that it’s very lightweight.
And with a lightweight… I mean extremely lightweight.
You barely feel it when you apply this. That’s why it’s great for wearing it both in and outdoors.
Most people wear this sunscreen all day long, and it doesn’t make the skin greasy at all. Unlike many other Korean sunscreens, this one actually works very well for oily skin.
I’ve had oily skin myself for a very long time and… even during the winters. It was such a pain to find a sunscreen that didn’t make my skin greasy. But this one from A’PIEU finally did the job.
So, if you want to get rid of your oily skin fast, then this is the one you need.
Give it a try and get it today, don’t be that person that never takes action.
4. Missha All Around Safe Block
- Best For Acne-Prone Skin
- Price: $$$
- SPF 50
Hate dealing with acne-prone skin… well me too.
This was the sunscreen that reduced my skin from breaking out even more.
To be honest, this might not be the sunscreen that prevents your acne but it does reduce the acne from breaking out. For me, this was more important because once it breaks out… it’ll be worse.
So try to reduce it as much as you can with this sunscreen and then look for Korean skincare products that clean it all up.
Sunscreens won’t prevent the acne-prone skin from breaking out, but they will delay it. And that’s exactly what this sunscreen does.
It contains ingredients that have been scientifically proven to reduce acne.
So, if you want to reduce your skin’s chances of breaking out, then get this sunscreen.
This sunscreen also creates a double protective layer around the skin, which works very well against high sun exposure.
Make sure to use this sunscreen consistently, that’s how you’ll get the most out of this product.
And most importantly, take action immediately. Don’t wait too long, the longer you wait, the longer it’ll take before your acne-prone skin starts to clear up.
5. Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
- Best For Sensitive Skin
- Price: $$$
- SPF 50
Do you have extremely sensitive skin and have tried many different sunscreens?
Today is your lucky day, this is by far the best Korean sunscreen for sensitive skin. It contains sun milk, which has many scientifically-backed studies behind it. [3]
I have sensitive skin myself and find it quite hard to find good Korean SPFs on the market that actually work.
This one contains many effective ingredients that will blow your mind.
It would be a loss not to at least try this sunscreen, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. So, give it a go now and see for yourself.
What makes this sunscreen so great is that it’s very light and non-greasy. That’s why it’s perfect for people with sensitive skin.
The only thing I don’t like is the… you guessed it.
The price.
Unlike many other SPFs, this one is a bit more expensive but for the quality, it’s worth it in my opinion.
Make sure to give it a try, don’t let your sensitive skin get worse, and start using it today.
6. Dr. G Brightening Up Sun Cream
- Best For Dry Skin
- Price: $$
- SPF 50
Have extremely dry skin and flakes are almost falling off… this is by far the best Korean sun protection for dry skin. It’s very easy to use and absorbs almost instantly.
What I really like about this sunscreen is that many famous K-pop idols use it.
But you might be thinking what does that have to do with the quality…
Well, the more people that use this, the more reviews it gets, which means the company has to create a quality product that performs well.
And that is this SPF.
If you haven’t been using this already, you’re missing out big time. Especially if you’re serious about improving your dry skin fast, this is the sunscreen you must have.
And don’t forget to use it every single day, because that’s how you’ll get the best results.
Get it today, before you start procrastinating again and forget all about it.
7. ETUDE HOUSE Soonjung Mild Defence Sun Cream
- Best with Zinc Oxide
- Price: $$$
- SPF 49
Are you looking for a Korean sunscreen with zinc oxide, this is it.
This one is super safe and works for every skin type.
Adding this into your Korean skincare routine will have great benefits. What I really like is that there’s no scent, it doesn’t feel like you’re applying a cream to the face.
Unlike many other Korean sunscreens, this one is surprisingly effective.
At first, you won’t notice much, but after using it for a couple of weeks.
You start noticing that your skin gets smoother, stronger, and healthier looking. What really surprised me was that this sunscreen also worked as a moisturizer.
Even if you use it once a week, it’ll make a huge difference.
And the best part? It’s a mineral sunscreen.
So, if you haven’t been using this already, make sure you do.
You won’t regret it.
8. THANKYOU FARMER Sun Project Water Sun Cream
- Best For Combination Skin
- Price: $$
- SPF 50
Have dry and oily skin both at the same time and don’t know if a sunscreen actually works?
Well… this one actually does. It contains active ingredients like Bamboo Water, which are scientifically proven to improve the skin. [4]
Using this will massively improve your combination skin overnight. What I really like about this sunscreen is that the packaging is small and cure, while it is also a high-quality product.
It’s like the perfect sunscreen out there for combination skin.
Most often sunscreens don’t really work for combination skin, mainly because it’s not specifically made for that. However, this one does and that’s what makes it so great.
If you’re still not using this, I would highly recommend doing so as soon as possible.
Especially, if you don’t want to waste your money on testing out other sunscreens that’ll never work.
I can tell from experience that this one works, and most other ones out there are bad… really bad.
So don’t hesitate too long and get this one, you won’t regret it.
9. Elizavecca Milky Piggy SUN
- Best For Normal Skin
- Price: $
- SPF 50
Are you that person that has normal skin and doesn’t have any huge problems?
Then this is the perfect Korean SPF for you. It has an amazing scent that you smell from 50 feet away.
Just kidding, but the scent is really pleasant. It’s like wearing a fragrance, but it’s your sunscreen.
It also has a really cute packaging that makes you want to use it. This is the sunscreen that many of my friends are using on a daily basis, which they all like.
So, if you’re looking for a sunscreen that works very well for normal skin and also protects the skin barrier, then this is it.
The only downside of this sunscreen is that it’s a stick, which most people don’t like.
However, this shouldn’t be a huge issue, since it has the same effect.
It would only be a problem if you are wearing makeup that could mess up.
But other than that, it’s the perfect sunscreen and I would highly recommend using it if you have normal skin.
10. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun
- Best For the Body
- Price: $$
- SPF 50
This is the best Korean sunscreen that works for your whole body.
Yes… you’ve read that correctly.
It’s not just your face that needs sunscreen, but your whole body as well.
This sunscreen has a really light scent and it’s really easy to apply.
It’s also not sticky, which is a big plus.
The packaging is also very sleek and minimalistic, which I like.
The main ingredient of this sunscreen is rice extract, which has many experts backing it. Rice is an ingredient that is used in many Korean skincare products for an even skin tone.
So, using this will not only protect your skin from UV rays, but it’ll also make your skin look healthier.
I would highly recommend using this sunscreen if you are looking for a good one that works for your whole body.
There’s one caveat, and that’s the tube is very small. It’ll probably last you about 1 month if you use it on your whole body every day.
Other than that, this is the perfect sunscreen for the body.
11. Pipette Mineral Sunscreen
- Best For Reapplying
- Price: $
- SPF 50
Are you that person that can’t get enough of reapplying sunscreen every hour?
This is by far the best sunscreen for exactly that, it creates a barrier around the skin that protects it from UV rays, while also keeping your skin moisturized.
I have been using this for almost 4 weeks now, and I can definitely say that it’s very easy for reapplication. But it literally works for everyone in the family.
So this is the sunscreen I always lend out to my friends or family whenever they need it.
It also works for babies.
Even though I don’t have them (yet). It’s great to know it works for them, mainly because of the 100% sugarcane ingredients.
This helps smoothen out the skin, so give it a try and the results will start to show in just a few weeks.
I would highly recommend this sunscreen for anyone that loves reapplying sunscreen.
12. RAIN OR SHINE Anti Aging Face Sunscreen
- Best For Dark Skin
- Price: $$$
- SPF 50
The last sunscreen on the list.
This is the best one for dark skin. Unlike the other sunscreens on the list, this one actually has a bit of color to it.
It’s not too much, but just enough to where you can see a difference.
The cream is extremely white, which makes it easy to blend into the dark skin. This is something that many of my friends are looking for because a sunscreen that doesn’t blend in is a big no-no.
It is not greasy at all and the scent is quite pleasant, mainly because of the green tea.
You can literally smell this from a few feet away.
What I really love about this sunscreen is that it’ll last you up to 3 months. That’s way longer than the average sunscreen out there.
So, make sure to give this one a try if you have dark skin.
Buyer’s Guide: Best Korean Sunscreen
This is the only buyer’s guide you need when buying Korean sunscreens.
How often should you use a Korean sunscreen?
Generally speaking, it should be used every day, especially if you are exposed to the sun for long periods of time.
Some might use it once a week but you won’t see any significant results.
So try to use it as often as possible for the best results.
How to choose the best Korean sunscreen?
Choosing the best Korean sunscreen can be a bit tricky because there are so many to choose from.
But, if you keep these three things in mind, it’ll be a lot easier for you.
- Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 50 or higher.
- Choose a sunscreen that is easy to apply and is not greasy.
- Choose a sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type.
Now that you know how to choose the best Korean sunscreen, it’s time to find the right one for you.
Also, one that’s not too expensive, because there are a lot of sunscreens out there that can be quite pricey.
So, without further ado, here is the list of the 12 best Korean sunscreens.
Are Korean sunscreen different from Western ones?
Yes, Korean sunscreens are definitely different from Western ones. They have a higher SPF, which is great for those that are looking for extra protection from the sun.
They’re also a bit more lightweight, which makes them great for those with oily or combination skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are Korean sunscreens trustworthy?
Yes, Korean sunscreens are definitely trustworthy. They have a high SPF and are very lightweight, so you won’t have to worry about them being too greasy or heavy on the skin.
Q. Do Korean sunscreens work for every skin type?
No, not every sunscreen will work for every skin type. You’ll need to find one that is specifically designed for your skin type in order to get the best results.
Q. Are Korean sunscreens expensive?
No, Korean sunscreens are not necessarily expensive. You can find some that are very affordable, especially if you buy them in bulk.
Q. How much does a Korean sunscreen cost?
The average sunscreen costs between $8 to $40 depending on the brand.
Conclusion
There you have it, the 12 best Korean sunscreens. Still, the best one is the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. Unlike the other sunscreens on the list, this is my all-time favorite.
Because it improves the skin within a few days, smells amazing and the quality is top-notch.