5 Best Korean Sunscreens 2021

 Korean sunscreens are some of my favorite types of sunscreens due to their amazing formulas and light textures. Despite the recent controversy around the Purito sunscreens, there are still many reputable sunscreens to choose from in the KBeauty world. Here I review my top 5 best Korean Sunscreens, including Korean physical and chemical sunscreens that all work very well under makeup and that have no white cast!

CosRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++  

Skin types: Normal to dry

Type of sunscreen: Physical & Chemical

Filters: Titanium dioxide (Physical), Octinoxate, Tinosorb S (Chemical)

Ingredient callouts: Contains alcohol & fragrance

One of my favorite sunscreens that I’ve been using for years is the CosRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. The texture is beautiful and feels more like a light cream rather than a sunscreen and sinks in quickly. Even though it does contain alcohol and fragrance, it has worked amazingly on my skin and I love the cocktail of filters used- it has Tinosorb S, a broad spectrum filter, in addition to Titanium Dioxide, a physical filter, and Octinoxate, a chemical filter.

Tinosorb S is definitely a filter I keep my eye out for when looking for sunscreens. It gives broad spectrum protection, which means it gives protection against BOTH UVA & UVB rays, long and short, which is perfect for protecting against sun damage. Note that this is a newer filter that has been approved by Australia, Japan, and Europe but the american FDA has not approved it.

With the addition of a physical and chemical filter, you have great all around protection with no white cast.

In addition to the superb protection, this sunscreen also has ingredients like Glycerin and Aloe extract to hydrate the skin and leaves a dewy finish.

For oilier skin types, this could potentially function as a moisturizer + SPF during the daytime depending on your tolerance for level of shine. With my combination skin, I don’t mind a dewier finish, so I like to layer this on top of my moisturizer during the daytime, especially in the winter.

And for only $16, this sunscreen is a steal, especially if you are using it as a moisturizer + SPF during the daytime.

Available at Glowie Co or Amazon.

INGREDIENTS:  Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Triethanolamine, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Fragrance, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA.

Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Sun Fluid SPF 50+ PA+++  

Skin types: All skin types

Type of sunscreen: Chemical sunscreen

Filters: Octinoxate (chem), Tinosorb S, Avobenzone, Octocrylene (chem)

Ingredient callouts: Contains alcohol. No parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance but contains lavender oil

Personally, I really love lavender as a scent and my skin doesn’t mind lavender as a skincare ingredient so I do like the inclusion of lavender (I’ve never tried any other sunscreen that smells like lavender!) This also has a bit of that “classic” sunscreen smell, but it disappears after 5-10 minutes.

They’ve also included Vitamin E in the formula, which helps improve skin’s moisture retention, hydrating and providing antioxidant benefits to prevent visible signs of aging and supporting visible firmness.

It has a really thin, fluid, milky texture. There is a slightly oily finish, but I like it – for those with oily/combo skin, could see it being maybe a touch too oily but it depends on your preference for finish.

I really LOVE mixing this with my foundation (IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Light!) in the winter when I want sheer but hydrating and glowy coverage

Available at Dr.Jart or Sephora.

INGREDIENTS: Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, BHT, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol.

 Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36  

Skin types: All skin types

Type of sunscreen: Chemical

Filters: Avobenzone 2.5% (chemical), Homosalate 7.0% (chemical), Octisalate 4.3% (chemical)

Ingredient callouts: Includes Fragrance & Alcohol

This sunscreen is another wonderfully light chemical Korean sunscreen. The texture is a light and airy cream that rubs in beautifully.

It also has green tea to nurture skin with soothing hydration, cica to soothe skin and reduce visible signs of irritation, and sunflower seed oil which delivers lightweight moisture to skin.

Note this is the lowest SPF sunscreen I’m rating at SPF 36⁠—I prefer my SPFs to be at least 50 but SPF 36 still offers great protection and the price point of this sunscreen at $15 is pretty good.

Available at Innisfree.com and Sephora.

INGREDIENTS: Water / Aqua / Eau, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Octyldodecanol, Fragrance / Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, T-Butyl Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Orchid Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.

Neogen Day-light Protection Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA++++  

Skin types: All skin types

Type of sunscreen: Physical & chemical

Filters: Titanium Dioxide (physical), Octinoxate (chem), Zinc Oxide (physical), Tinosorb S (chem), Amiloxate (chem)

Ingredient callouts: No synthetic fragrance but contains essential oils, free of drying alcohols like denatured alcohol

This is one of my favorite sunscreens and I have been using this for years. There’s no white cast and doesn’t feel greasy at all, leaving skin with a dewy finish. The formulation includes rose and raspberry extracts for extra hydration.

For oilier/combo skin types, could potentially skip moisturizer and just use this as their Moisturizer + SPF.

This is also Sokoglam founder, Charlotte Cho’s, favorite sunscreen.

Available at Amazon or Glowie Co.

INGREDIENTS: Titanium Dioxide 0.90%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.50%, Zinc Oxide 2.80%; Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hexanediol, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus(Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Alumina, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon (Lomon) Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil, Disodium Edta, Potassium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis(Orange) Oil, Aluminum Stearate.

Dr G Green Mild Up Sun SPF 50+/PA++++  

Skin types: Oily & combo

Type of sunscreen: Physical

Filters: Zinc Oxide

Ingredient callouts: No Fragrance & Alcohol

This sunscreen has a really unique finish and I would almost describe it like a “rubbery matte” finish that gives you an oil-less finish and a great base for makeup. Not too drying which makes it perfect for oilier or combo skin types. 

Great for sensitive skin as there are no fragrance or alcohols in this sunscreen.

The formulation also includes Centella Asiatica for calming and Chia seed extract for hydration.

Available at Amazon.

What sunscreen should I try?

Regardless of what sunscreen you pick, make sure that it is at least SPF 50+ with PA++++ and ideally has both physical and chemical protection if you want to be covered on all bases in terms of UV protection.

Have you tried any Korean sunscreens?