The 14 Best Korean Sunscreens in 2023

Sulwhasoo is one of the most well-established Korean skincare brands out there, so rest assured their sunscreen is top-notch. This formula is infused with a handful of Korean herbs that give the skin a smooth and glowy base. There’s absolutely no pilling, and you can quite literally see a glassy effect take hold of your skin as you rub this formula in. It’s the perfect base for foundation—no primer is needed. 

Pros: Wears well under makeup; Doubles as primer; Glowy finish

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "This is the best sunscreen! It goes on smooth, doesn't leave a cast or feel sticky, and feels great. I plan to purchase another one. I am not sure if it has helped with fine lines and wrinkles directly, but the nice quality/texture of the product makes me want to use it everyday." — Sulwhasoo

The silky, porous powder this formula contains gives it its milky texture and blurring finish. And it's not just meant to prevent burns: It actually helps correct dark spots and tone as you wear it. A little does go a long way with this formula, so take extra caution to make sure you apply enough product. You need about a half teaspoon. 

Pros: Evens tone; Blurring finish 

Cons: Might leave a white cast 

Customer Review:  "The sunscreen is a little thicker than water, thinner than most I'm used to, but it spreads so evenly and dries in less than five minutes. After it dries it has the texture of a powder almost. My skin feels very smooth. The smell is also really nice. It's sort of like watermelon or a flower of some sort. It disappears after it dries though so you don't have to smell it all day." — Amazon

This cult-y Korean skincare brand is known for its super-effective, super-soothing snail essence (!!!), but its sunscreen is just as covetable. If you're prone to burning, the aloe in this SPF 50 option will help ease the pain, and prevent more damage from happening.

Pros: Soothing; Great texture; No white cast

Cons: Small bottle 

Customer Review: "This is the best sunscreen I have ever used. Although there is fragrance in this, I don't seem to mind it too much. A little on the smaller side, though. Doesn't leave a white cast (I'm pretty pale though so don't take my full word for that), and it doesn't leave my face flaking after a couple hours like all that I have used before. Truly just feels like a moisturizer." — Amazon

If you love the Laneige lip mask, just wait until you get your hands on this SPF. As someone with uber-sensitive skin, I can confirm that this chemical SPF leaves the skin feeling moisturized for hours. And thanks to the inclusion of centella asiatica, aka the gold standard for reducing redness, you’ll have calmer, less irritated skin—even in the heat of summer.

Pros: Reduces redness and irritation; Hydrating
Cons: Can feel oily 

Customer Review: "Best sunblock I have ever tried. Really moisturizes your skin, will not leave a white cast, and will not clog your pores if you have acne-prone skin like me. At first I was worried I would not tolerate the fragrance, but you definitely get used to it." — Sephora

Iope is known for its sensitive skincare, and this UV protector is no different. The liquid strengthens skin on contact without adding stickiness. It's also packed with antioxidants to protect against everything from pollution to blue light emanating from your computer screen. 

Pros: Lightweight texture; Protects from blue light 

Cons: Some report clogged pores

Customer Review: "The consistency is nice and it doesn't leave a white cast. There wasn't any pilling when reapplying or layering with other moisturizers. There is a fragrance which I wasn't a fan of for my sensitive skin. It leaves a dewy finish." — Soko Glam

This gel is practically a dream for makeup wearers: It sinks into the skin undetectably so your foundation can glide on without pause, and it imbues powerful SPF50 protection. It's also deeply hydrating and helps disguise rough, dry patches. 

Pros: Nice for under makeup; Very hydrating; No white cast 

Cons: Some say it's oily

Customer Review:  "It’s perfect for my acne prone skin. It feels light yet moisturizing. Once it dries my skin feels completely normal and balanced, not hot, dry, or tight. It doesn’t make me breakout at the end of the day. It’s moisturizing enough that I can put it on by itself before a morning workout. It’s silky and has a lovely smell." — Amazon

We get it: Oily skin and sunscreen can be a nerve-wracking concept. Alas, SPF is non-negotiable. Put your worries to rest with this sunscreen, as it’s specifically formulated for oily skin types. Instead of contributing to a greasy-looking complexion, this oil-free sunscreen is actually going to help absorb excess sebum and mattify the skin. That’s just the start of the benefits—the elegant formula is also going to blur imperfections, color correct redness, and most importantly, provide SPF 50 protection. 

Pros: Non-comedogenic; Blurring finish; Mattifying

Cons: Too drying for some

Customer Review: "Most sunscreens I've used were very oily and heavy, but this one feels feather-light on my skin with no oil concerns! A thin layer gets the job done unlike most formulas, little to no white cast. It doesn't weigh down or feel like it's been slathered on, rather it feels like a moisturizer with a clean finish. A little goes a long way with this one, 10/10 recommend!" — Amazon

With a PA++++ rating, you can be confident this SPF is protecting you from the maximum amount of UVA rays. It has a 100 percent mineral filter, meaning it’s going to reflect the sun’s rays (not absorb them into the skin like chemical formulas), is ideal for sensitive skin, and safe for children. Take a quick glance at the ingredient list, and this formula only gets better. It has calming centella asiatica (goodbye, redness), hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and many more gold star ingredients, including white truffle. The latter, interestingly enough, works wonders for skin texture and brightness. 

Pros: Redness reducing; Maximum protection; Good for kids
Cons: Might leave a white cast 

Customer Review: "I tried this specific sunscreen because it said it was mild and good for sensitive skin. Even though it is a mineral sunscreen, there is absolutely no white cast. It feels super light on my face/skin and doesn't leave any sticky feeling at all. Friends who have tried this sunscreen have all been thoroughly impressed with the no residue and the lightweight texture of the sunscreen! And as an added bonus, there is a very light, fresh citrusy scent to the sunscreen!" — D'Alba

Want multiple benefits with one product? Cell Fusion delivers. Not only is it going to provide great sun protection (it has three plus signs on the PA scale), but it’s also super-powered with anti-aging ingredients. You have both peptides and ceramides to hydrate and plump, along with collagen to firm the face. From a texture perspective, it feels incredibly light and isn’t sticky in the slightest. It rubs in like a lightweight moisturizer and gives a velvety finish to the skin. 

Pros: Multi-benefit; Anti-aging; Hydrating; Nice texture 

Cons: Leaves a white cast 

Customer Review: "I’ve bought this sunscreen four times over now. It is a bit heavier than your normal face sunscreens, and it does leave a white cast that *eventually* fades, but oh my gosh it is the ONLY sunscreen that causes NO reaction to my skin. I have very sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin and I love the benefits of no breakouts or rashes." — Soko Glam

Glow Recipe is a Korean-inspired brand that leverages the soothing effects of watermelon in a handful of its products. While the overnight mask will always be a favorite, don’t underestimate the transformative effects of their SPF. Coupled with the multitude of benefits of niacinamide (read: fights hyperpigmentation, controls oil, smooths skin), this watermelon-infused protector soothes, hydrates, protects, and evens out skin tone. Plus, it can be layered throughout the day without compromising the silky texture. 

Pros: Invisible color; Good for oily skin; Wears well with makeup

Cons: Fragrant 

Customer Review: "I love it! It didn’t peel on me and I use it on top of a lot of skincare products. It feels so lightweight just like a moisturizer. I’ll be rebuying it for the eternity." — Sephora

This lightweight formula won't disrupt your makeup, so feel free to slather it on. It has a smooth matte finish, contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier from the sun, and is formulated without sulfates, SLS, or SLES, which can cause irritation and breakouts.

Pros: Lightweight; Good for sensitive skin

Cons: Not very hydrating

Customer Review: "I have combination skin and it didn’t leave me feeling too dry or too oily. It has a smooth, lightweight application with no white case unlike all the other mineral sunscreens I’ve tried. It always goes well under makeup." — Sephora 

The sheer number of five-star Amazon reviews on this baby are impossible to ignore. It glides on like a silky, dolphin-smooth serum thanks to water capsules filled with hyaluronic acid, royal jelly extract, and citrus. And just because it's comfortable doesn't mean it isn't putting in work. It's truly waterproof and provides 80 minutes of carefree sun defense.

Pros: Extreme protection; Hydrating; Waterproof 

Cons: Fragrant 

Customer Review: "I really like this sunscreen. It applies very smooth and gets absorbed in a short time. But it's a little pricey for such a small tube." — Walmart 

If you're too sensitive for long stretches under the sun, the nurturing ingredients in this option will help keep you comfortable. Green tea, cica, and sunflower seed oil reduce signs of irritation like redness and soothe the skin while it's protecting you.

Pros: Very calming; Redness reducing 

Cons:  Some report clogged pores 

Customer Review: "I have been using this product for almost a year now and I absolutely love it. It is nice and buildable, works well under makeup from personal use. I have oily/ acne prone skin and most sunscreens break me out due to scent and thickness. Oily girls don’t sleep on this!" — Sephora

We don’t often consider sunscreens “soothing,” but this lotion is just that. Packed with aloe vera, bamboo extract, and a patented anti-inflammatory ingredient called phyto-oligo, it’s like an extra layer of moisturizer that just happens to have SPF 50 protection. 

Pros: Doubles as a moisturizer; Anti-inflammatory

Cons: Very strong scent 

Customer Review: "I really like how this feels on my skin - it’s not oily and goes on smoothly. But, the scent is SO strong." — Soko Glam