Best Japanese and Korean Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin

Even though summer is pretty much over, it doesn’t mean you should stop wearing sunscreen! Today I’m reviewing my favorite Korean & Japanese sunscreens that work best for sensitive skin. These are the sunscreens I reach for most due to their excellent protection and amazing textures. I like my sunscreens to feel like a skincare product and not a “sunscreen”.

isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

Skin Types: Dry to normal skin.
Ingredient callouts: Free of fragrance and drying alcohols.
Sunscreen Type: Chemical sunscreen.
Sunscreen Filters: Octisalate (UVB), Homosalate (UVB), Tinosorb S (UVB, UVA), Tinosorb M (UVB, UVA), Polysilicone-15 (UVB), Uvinul A Plus (UVA).

Great all around UVA and UVB protection with an amazing texture, two factors that will really be a theme of all the sunscreens listed in this post. The texture really matches the name as it feels like a watery gel that comes out as white but blends into the skin nicely.

Dewy finish and non greasy. Supposed to be for dry skin, so this may be too dewy if you have very oily skin.

Fragrance and drying alcohol free.

Not water or sweat resistant – this is a great everyday sunscreen that can be worn alone or under makeup.

Available at Amazon.

INGREDIENTS: Water,Butylene Glycol,Ethylhexyl Salicylate,Homosalate,Dibutyl Adipate,Niacinamide,Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine,Cyclopentasiloxane,Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol,Polysilicone-15,Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate,1,2-Hexanediol,Pentylene Glycol,Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract,Ceramide NP,Centella Asiatica Extract,Glycerin,Portulaca Oleracea Extract,Houttuynia Cordata Extract,Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil,Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract,Sodium Hyaluronate,Ceteth-10,Hydrogenated Lecithin,Decyl Glucoside,Propanediol,Tocopherol,Astaxanthin,Hyaluronic Acid,Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer,Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate,Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid,Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate,Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer,Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate,Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate,Adenosine,Xanthan Gum,Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone,Tromethamine,Carbomer,Propylene Glycol,Ethylhexylglycerin.

Nivea UV Water Gel SPF 35 PA +++

Skin Types: All skin types.
Ingredient callouts: Fragrance free.
Sunscreen Type: Chemical sunscreen.
Sunscreen Filters: Octinoxate, Uvinal-T 150, Uvinal A Plus.

Amazing texture that feels similar to the cult classic Biore sunscreen. Feels like a gel serum and sinks into the skin so nicely without any white cast. Really great value sunscreen at such a large size (140g) and you get great bang for your buck from a $ per oz perspective.

Available at Amazon.

INGREDIENTS: Water, ethanol, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, PG, dimethicone, glyceryl tri (caprylic / capric acid), ethylhexyl triazone, hexyl diethylaminohydroxybenzoylbenzoate, starch octenyl succinate Al, hyaluronic acid Na, kihaeda bark extract, quince seed extract , Tocopherol acetate, (acrylates / alkyl acrylate (C10-30)) crosspolymer, ceteth-10, sodium hydroxide, methylparaben.

Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV Clear SPF 50+ PA++++

Skin types: All skin types, great for sensitive skin.
Ingredient callouts: Free of alcohol and fragrance.
Sunscreen Type: Combination physical & chemical sunscreen.
Sunscreen Filters: Octinoxate, Zinc Oxide, and Titanium Dioxide.

One of my FAVORITE sunscreens! This one is super light, rubs in really well, and comes out of the tube white, but once you rub into the skin, it goes away.

The Canmake sunscreen is also alcohol free which is a rarity as well in Asian sunscreens, so if your skin is sensitive to alcohol, definitely check this out. This sunscreen also isn’t waterproof, so it would work better as a daily, normal sunscreen. If I were to go out exploring or hiking, I would choose Anessa. Some of the skin benefitting ingredients the Canmake has are Job’s tears and hyaluronic acid.

Available at Amazon.

INGREDIENTS:  Water, BG, titanium oxide, hexyl diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl benzoate, zinc oxide, methyl heptyl laurate, dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, diisostearyl malate, octyldodecanol, Al hydroxide, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, polyglyceryl-3 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, stearic acid, phenoxyethanol, polyhydroxystearic acid, jojoba ester, xanthan gum, Trihydroxystearin, alumina, silica, arginine, α-glucan, phytic acid, silver oxide, arch chalk leaf extract, magwa root bark extract, hyaluronic acid Na, (hydroxyethyl acrylate / acryloyl dimethyl taurine sodium) copolymer, bisethylhexyloxy Phenolmethoxyphenyltriazine, Japanese primrose seed extract, Bilberry leaf extract, glucosylceramide, Magou root peel extract, glucosyl ceramide, evening primrose seed extract, sodium hyaluronate, cottonseed seed extract, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, (hydroxyethyl acrylate / acryloyl dimethyl taurine Na) copolymer, ethyl hexyl methoxycinnamate, blackberry blossom extract, bilberry leaf extract, adlay seed extract, sodium Mayo yoshino leaf extract, oilseed flower extract, bisethylhexyloxy Phenol methoxyphenyl triazine, saxifrage extract, yukinoshita extract, Meiyoshi Shino leaf extract.

Neogen Day-light Protection Airy Sunscreen SPF 50+

Skin types: All skin types.
Ingredient callouts: Free of artificial fragrance, parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, and silicone.
Sunscreen Type: Chemical sunscreen.
Sunscreen Filters: Octocrylene, Homosalate, Avobenzone.

Neogen has launched a new version of their classic Day-light Sunscreen! The old version used a combination of both physical and chemical filters, but this new Airy version is a chemical sunscreen. Compared to the old one, the finish of this new version is a bit more natural and not as heavy.

Available at Amazon or Glowie Co.

INGREDIENTS: Water, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Isododecane, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Avobenzone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Octyldodeceth-16, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coptis Japonica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Bark Oil, Maltodextrin, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Rosa Damascena Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool.

Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++

Skin types: All skin types, especially dry and/or sensitive skin.
Ingredient callouts: Free of fragrance and alcohol.
Sunscreen Type: Physical sunscreen.
Sunscreen Filters: Zinc Oxide.

Matte finish but not drying or greasy – perfect for oilier or combo skin types. The finish is really unique and I would almost describe it like a “rubbery matte” finish that gives you an oil-less finish and a great base for makeup.

Great for sensitive skin. Formulation includes centella asiatica for calming and chia seed extract for hydration.

Available at Amazon.com.

INGREDIENTS: Purified Water, Cyclomethicone, Zinc Oxide, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/​Capric/​Succinic Triglyceride, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dimethicone/​Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Tocopherol, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract.

Anessa Essence UV Sunscreen Mild Milk SPF 35 PA++++

Skin types: All skin types, especially dry and/or sensitive skin.
Ingredient callouts: Free of fragrance and alcohol.
Sunscreen Type: Combination physical & chemical sunscreen.
Sunscreen Filters: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Tinosorb S, Uvinal T 150, Uvinal A Plus.

What’s interesting about the Anessa sunscreens is that they’re labelled as “milks” – texture is very watery and runny but it has a matte finish. Great for sensitive skin.

Fragrance, paraben, and alcohol free. Dewy finish. Feels more powdery than the Original Anessa. Resistant to sweat and water for 40 minutes.

Available at Amazon and Glowie Co.

INGREDIENTS: ​Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Bg, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Zinc Oxide, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dextrin Palmitate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ethyl Hexyl Triazone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxy Silicic Acid, Hexyl Diethyl Amino Hydroxy Benzoyl Benzoate, Bis Ethylhexyl Oxy Phenol Methoxy Phenyl Triazine, Peg / Ppg -14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Na Chloride, Glycyrrhizinic Acid 2k, Touki Root Extract, Wild Thyme Extract, Izayoi Rose Extract, Hyaluronic Acid Na Silica, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Citric Acid Na, Stearic Acid, Metabisulfite Na, Tocopherol.

Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel SPF50+ PA++++

Skin types: All skin types, especially dry and/or sensitive skin.
Ingredient callouts: Free of fragrance.
Sunscreen Type: Chemical sunscreen.
Sunscreen Filters: Octinoxate, Tinosorb S, Uvinal-T 150.

Available at Amazon.com.

INGREDIENTS: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ppg-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate (Super Hyaluronic Acid), Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid (Nano Hyaluronic Acid), Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate (Skin Absorbent Type Hyaluronic Acid), Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer (3D Hyaluronic Acid), Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide (Sacrum), Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Diglycerin, Sorbitol, Pentylene Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Carbomer, Polyquaternium-51, Peg-32, Peg-75, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium Edta, Potassium Hydroxide, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Disodium Succinate, Succinic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben.

What’s your favorite sunscreen for sensitive skin?