Best for dry skin$10.64$15.20
Best for oily skin$undefined$30.00
How I picked the best Korean sunscreens
When gathering the best Korean sunscreens to shop, my experts recommend considering the following factors:
- Sunscreen type: There are three types of sunscreen: mineral, chemical and hybrid (a combination of both mineral and chemical). Mineral (or physical) sunscreens use active ingredients (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) that sit on the surface of your skin and reflect UV light. Chemical sunscreens use chemical filters that absorb UV light and convert it into heat so your body can then release it, according to our experts. This list has both options, and I go more in-depth on the different types below.
- PA rating/SPF rating: According to our experts and the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen should have at least SPF 30 protection. Most K-beauty sunscreens list an SPF rating and a PA rating (the Korean version of our sunscreen rating system, which indicates UVA protection). PA+ indicates low UVA protection, while PA++++ means the sunscreen has very high protection.
- Price: Sunscreens can vary in cost depending on their size and ingredient list. This list has options as low as $9 and as high as $35.
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The best Korean beauty sunscreens
Best overall
When our editors tested and ranked 100 sunscreens, Round Lab’s Birch Juice earned our No. 1 spot. The silky sunscreen hydrates your skin and doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue or white cast, according to NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. “You don’t know what makes a good sunscreen until you try a bunch of them, so I can confidently say that the Round Lab Birch Juice Sunscreen is as close to perfect as a face sunscreen can get — and I will be recommending it to anyone who will listen,” she says. It also has niacinamide to brighten and soothe skin, along with amino acids and minerals to reduce texture and inflammation, according to the brand.
Best moisturizer with SPF
Belif is one of our favorite Korean beauty brands, and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jane Yoo recommends this moisturizer with SPF. Not only does it hydrate and protect the skin, but the non-greasy moisturizing cream also has marigold extract to improve the skin barrier. It also has noni extract to even out your skin tone and boost elasticity, according to the brand.
Best for darker skin tones
“I’ve searched high and low for a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast, flake or feel greasy, and my skin care routine became whole once I found Etude,” says NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi. “The mineral sunscreen, which is more like a gel, leaves my skin moisturized all day, has helped so much with my hyperpigmentation, and is the perfect consistency for my combination skin.”
Most soothing
Yoo recommends this chemical sunscreen, which has ingredients like green tea, sunflower seed oil and cica to hydrate, nourish and soothe the skin. Reviewers say this SPF has a rich texture that gives the skin a glowy finish.
Best for a dewy finish
Reviewers love this sunscreen, which comes recommended by Yoo, because it’s moisturizing and leaves their skin looking plump and dewy. The hydrating sunscreen is thick upon application, but blends in well so it doesn’t feel too thick on the skin, reviewers say. However, because of this, some reviewers say they find it a little too heavy for their oily and acne-prone skin.
Best for oily skin
Dr. Jart+, one of our favorite K-beauty brands, recently expanded its sun care lineup with this stick sunscreen. It hydrates and primes the skin while simultaneously blurring pores, which makes it great to apply underneath makeup, according to the brand. Plus, it’s easy to reapply and take on the go. “It layers nicely over make-up, doesn’t smudge or crack, and has a matte finish,” she says. “It’s small enough to fit in any bag and I’m never concerned that it’ll leak.”
Most nourishing
Chang recommends this lightweight sunscreen because it’s excellent for all skin types and tones, plus it absorbs quickly into the skin and layers well under makeup, she says. Chang also loves how hydrating it is since it’s enriched with rice extracts and probiotics.
Best for sensitive skin
NBC Select senior social media manager Rosalie Sparaco says that this mineral version of the popular Innisfree sunscreen evens out her skin tone without her needing to put makeup on top. The green tint corrects redness, and active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene work to soothe and hydrate the skin barrier, according to the brand. “I didn’t notice a smell, it didn’t feel heavy or make my skin look shiny and best of all, it didn’t irritate my skin, which is slightly sensitive,” says Sparaco.
Best for dry skin
This chemical sunscreen has Centella asiatica, which is gentle enough for sensitive skin and won’t trigger any breakout or flare-ups, according to the brand. It also has hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump your skin, leaving it protected and dewy all at once, says Chang. Reviewers love how it easily blends into their skin, so it doesn’t feel heavy or sticky on the surface.
Best for combination skin
Former NBC Select page Elliot Hyon keeps this hydrating sun gel from Isntree, which has eight types of hyaluronic acid, in his sunscreen rotation. “It has a nice runny texture that applies very smoothly and blends into the skin,” he says. “It is definitely not waterproof or sweatproof, so it doesn’t hold up in humid weather, but I love it because it doesn’t have any silicones, which is great for my combination skin.”
Best for skin barrier health
This sunscreen has hyaluronic acid, propanediol, vitamin E and beetroot extract to draw in and retain moisture, and reinforce the skin barrier, according to the brand. Reviewers of varying skin types say this sun lotion, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 250 reviews on Amazon, is extremely lightweight, non-greasy and blends seamlessly into their skin.
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How to shop for Korean sunscreens
When choosing a K-beauty sunscreen, you should consider several factors, including ingredients, skin type and sun protection.
Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen
- Mineral sunscreens, or physical sunscreens, block UV light from reaching our skin by using active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect it from the surface. Because these ingredients sit on the surface of the skin, they tend to be less irritating, making them great options for those with sensitive or reactive skin, experts say.
- Chemical sunscreens have chemical filters that absorb UV light and convert it into heat, so they’re released by our bodies. Some of the most common chemical filters include octisalate, homosalate, oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate. Typically, these are easier to blend, don’t leave behind a white cast and feel more lightweight, according to our experts.
Ingredients and skin type
Aside from the active ingredients in your K-beauty sunscreen that dictate whether it’s a chemical, mineral or hybrid, you’ll also find additional ingredients that will help your skin type and concerns. For example, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin and panthenol in sunscreen are hydrating ingredients that are great for those with dry skin, according to Chang. If you have dull, uneven or photodamaged skin, you’ll want to find options with antioxidants and brightening ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide, she says.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Claire Chang, is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. She is also a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center.
- Dr. Jane Yoo, is a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City. She is also clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation.
- Dr. Shuting Hu is a cosmetic chemist and founder and CEO of Acaderma.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter at NBC Select covering beauty, including new product launches and articles such as the best SPF lip balms and scalp sunscreens. For this piece, she interviewed dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist to learn more about the difference between Korean sunscreens and American sunscreens. She also recommended products the dermatologists shared with her as well as NBC Select staff favorites and highly rated options on the market that align with experts’ shopping guidance.
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