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Among the flood of Korean skin care products to emerge on the market stateside, few have resonated quite like SPF. The best Korean sunscreens surpass their American peers on a number of levels: Not only do they tend to be more cosmetically elegant—meaning they tend to be more enjoyable to apply and use—but they also quantify their protection against UVA rays. That’s largely in part due to their next-generation sunscreen filters, of which there are many more than found in the US.
Vogue’s Favorite Korean Sunscreens:
Featured in this article
These offer clear advantages. UVA rays are responsible for signs of aging, such as fine lines and dark spots. Our SPF grading system, meanwhile, only accounts for UVB rays, which contribute to sunburns and skin cancer. And while the term "broad-spectrum" does account for both UVA and UVB rays, it doesn t indicate the level of protection from the former.
Moreover, Korean beauty products are also known for their cutting-edge ingredients, and sunscreens are no exception. With cultural mainstays like rice extract and buzzy compounds like several types of hyaluronic acid, these formulations offer more than straightforward sun protection. With that, consider these options for every skin type and preference.
In This Story:
- Are Korean sunscreens worth it?
- What’s unique about Korean sunscreen?
- What to Look for in a Korean Sunscreen
- Are Korean sunscreens better than American sunscreens?
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++
- Why We Love It: This chemical sunscreen is a favorite among both Korean and American consumers alike, in part because it feels like nothing on skin. On top of that, “it does not leave a white cast and feels moisturizing to the skin, making it great for daily use,” says Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, who attests to its popularity—and likes that it’s formulated with soothing ingredients like rice extract, probiotics, and niacinamide. Michelle Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Washington Square Dermatology in New York City, also appreciates its easy-to-blend texture and the addition of the PA++++ rating, which measures protection from UVA rays.
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lightweight cream
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (Ethylhexyl triazone, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol)
- Size: 50 mL
- Best For: Most skin types
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating but not greasy | Not mattifying |
| No white cast |
Best for Dry Skin: Laneige Hydro UV Defense Ex Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Why We Love It: Best known for its celebrity-loved and editor-approved lip mask, Laneige’s sunscreen has finally arrived stateside. And don t let looks deceive you: While the hydrating, hypoallergenic formula looks like a rich cream, it smooths on clear and without any telltale chalkiness. It s infused with soothing centella asiatica as well as mineral water and glycerin—a hydrating duo—to leave skin soft and comfortable. However, that means it can leave a gleam on skin rather than a matte finish.
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, glycerin, mineral water
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Cushiony cream
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene)
- Best For: Normal to dry skin types
- Size: 50 ml
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Leaves behind a dewy sheen | May look greasy if you don’t rub it in |
| Doesn’t have a white cast | Might not be gentle enough for very sensitive skin |
Best Mineral: Aestura Derma UV365 Barrier Hydro Mineral Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: Mineral sunscreens tend to be a rarity among K-beauty offerings, but this is the exception. The fragrance-free formula uses zinc oxide to defend against rays yet takes surprisingly little effort to blend in. Dr. Chang also appreciates that it contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate the skin. It may not have the same cosmetic elegance as its chemical counterparts, but it’s also less likely to irritate—a worthy tradeoff for those with sensitivities.
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lightweight cream
- Chemical or Physical: Physical (zinc oxide)
- Size: 40 mL
- Best For: Sensitive skin types
| Love It | Leave it |
|---|---|
| Undetectable finish | Takes a few minutes to absorb |
| Moisturizing feel | Small size |
Best Chemical: Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: Both Dr. Chang and Dr. Park count this sunscreen among their favorites, in part because it has “smooth moisturizing texture, so feels very neutral on the skin,” says Dr. Park. It’s also brimming with botanicals like allantoin and the eponymous birch tree sap, which is rich in Natural Moisturizing Factor—a blend of compounds, including amino acids and lactic acid, that are naturally produced by the skin to support the skin barrier.
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lightweight lotion
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (Ethylhexyl triazone, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol)
- Size: 50 mL
- Best For: Dry or combination skin
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Doesn t pill under makeup | Birch juice is an allergen for some |
| Has a radiant finish |
Best Hybrid: Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream
- Why We Love It: A formula with both mineral and chemical filters delivers a happy medium, avoiding both the white cast caused by the former as well as the potential irritation caused by the latter. That’s indeed the case with this weightless lotion, which appears transparent on skin and lends a dewy gleam. Worth noting: It does have a light scent, but that dissipates quickly.
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lightweight lotion
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate 6.80%, homosalate 6.00%, ethylhexyl salicylate 4.50%, octocrylene 2.50%, titanium dioxide 1.40%)
- Best For: Oily skin types
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| No white cast | Only PA+++ (the maximum is PA++++) |
| Dewy finish | May be too rich for oily skin types |
Best Lightweight: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Dew Shield SPF 30
- Why We Love It: Applying sunscreen is more of a rote task than a sensorial experience, but the Glow Recipe Dew Shield SPF 30 sets out to change that. Inspired by Korean sunscreens—and one of the few created stateside to offer PA++++ against wrinkle-inducing UVA rays—the formula delivers hydration, protection, and a radiant glow in equal measure. The serum-like sunscreen delivers moisture with a blend of glycerin, watermelon-seed oil, and vitamin E, while the niacinamide offers long-term brightening benefits. Perhaps best of all is the delicate watermelon scent, which makes it feel like a joy to apply.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, rice extract, watermelon seed oil, glycerin
- SPF Level: 30
- Texture: Light serum-lotion
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate)
- Best For: Dull skin, all skin types
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Doesn t pill, layers well under makeup | Relatively low SPF, though it meets the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendation |
| Leaves skin radiant |
Best for Oily Skin: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: For many, the best sunscreen is the one you forget about. And in that way, Haruharu Wonder s lightweight SPF delivers. While it dispenses as a white lotion, it disappears almost immediately on all skin tones, moisturizing with a blend of antioxidant-rich rice bran oil, ceramides, and heartleaf extract. Better yet, it leaves skin with a velvety (but not overly matte) finish, revealing a fresh, natural glow.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, heartleaf extract, rice bran oil, ceramides
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Sheer lotion
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, ethylhexyl triazone, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine)
- Best For: Normal to oily skin types, acne-prone skin
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Imparts a matte finish | Might be too lightweight for very dry skin types |
| Blends into skin quickly |
Best for Sensitive Skin: CosRx Ultra Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50
- Why We Love It: Designed to deliver the feel of a hydrating face serum with the protection of a heavy-duty sunscreen, this formula is as sheer, weightless, and fast-absorbing as it gets. And Dr. Chang is a fan, noting that the soothing formula “is also formulated with aloe and niacinamide to calm the skin,” she says. Better yet, the brand submitted the formula for irritation testing, proving that it s will not exacerbate both sensitive skin and eyes alike.
- Key Ingredients: Witch hazel extract, aloe leaf water, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- SPF Level: 50
- Texture: Lightweight serum
- Chemical or Physical: Chemical (Drometrizole trisiloxane, ethylhexyl triazone, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, ethylhexylglycerin)
- Best For: Dry skin, sensitive skin
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Has a natural finish that’s neither matte nor shiny | Prone to pilling if you apply following products too quickly |
| Won’t sting your eyes |
Everything You Need to Know:
Are Korean sunscreens worth it?
Despite much talk of tariffs and reformulations (presumably to meet U.S. manufacturing guidelines), Korean sunscreens are still worth trying, due to their elegant textures, fast absorption, and innovative UV filters, says Dr. Chang. “Many patients, especially those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, prefer the lightweight, non-greasy texture of Korean formulas,” she says. And, she notes, even with potential increases in the price, it’s critical to consider the value. If a Korean sunscreen will help you stick with a daily sunscreen routine, then “it is absolutely worth using,” she says.
What’s unique about Korean sunscreen?
Korean sunscreens tend to outperform American versions on several fronts. To begin with, “I’ve found that Korean sunscreens often have easier application with lighter textures and minimal white cast,” says Dr. Chang. Plus, she says, they’re often formulated with additional skin-care ingredients that offer benefits like hydration, brightening, or calming properties.
This is partly because Korean sunscreen formulas have more chemical filters on hand than what’s available in the U.S., according to David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of skin care brand Lightsaver. “They have more to choose from, so they can make different cocktails of chemical UV filters,” he says. “These chemical UV filters can feel more lightweight and less sticky on the skin.”
Not only that, but Korean sunscreens use the PA rating system, which measures protection from UVA rays. “The PA system ranges from PA+ to PA+++, with PA+++ being the highest level of UVA protection,” says Dr. Chang. The U.S. doesn’t have a standardized system like this for UVA protection, but instead buckets it under the term “broad-spectrum” to indicate coverage against UVA and UVB rays; the exact level of defense this offers is unclear.
What to Look for in a Korean sunscreen
Sunscreen protection factor, or SPF, is the same in Korea as it is stateside. However, “in the US, SPF can range from 15 to 100—and specific protection factors are typically labeled,” says Dr. Chang. Meanwhile, in Korea, these ratings often go beyond SPF 50, although brands don’t always share the exact number; rather, their SPF is marked as 50+. (Keep in mind that the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum of SPF 30, so this shouldn’t be cause for alarm.)
Chemical filters sink into skin, where they convert UV energy into heat, which eventually dissipates from skin. “The majority of Korean sunscreens are chemical sunscreens, and they re safe and effective,” says Dr. Kim. They lend themselves to Korean sunscreens’ famously weightless texture and invisible, residue-free finish.
Meanwhile, physical, or mineral, filters remain on the surface on the skin, where they “have the ability to reflect and physically block the UV rays,” says Dr. Kim. He prefers these for hyperpigmentation and for his patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or undergoing fertility treatments, as they’re not absorbed by skin.
There’s slightly less variation in texture among Korean sunscreens, in part because they all manage to feel weightless and airy on skin. However, they do have some differences, and it’s worth taking your skin type into account. “Some textures are more hydrating, so they’re more suited for people with dry skin,” says Dr. Kim. For those with oily or acne-prone skin, consider more lightweight gel or serum-like options, which can sink in quickly.
Are Korean sunscreens better than American sunscreens?
Not necessarily. Although Korean sunscreens have some advantages over U.S.-formulated sunscreens, such as the PA rating system—which indicates the level of protection from UVA rays (that contribute to signs of aging), whereas SPF only measures defense from UVB rays (which cause sunburns and skin cancer)—they’re not necessarily better.
Korean sunscreens admittedly have some cosmetic advantages in that they’re lightweight and easy to blend in, but they don’t often use mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which many dermatologists prefer for sensitive skin. Not only that, but sunscreens are also more tightly regulated in the United States. “In the US, sunscreens are considered a drug by the FDA and require a thorough testing and formal drug approval process,” says Dr. Chang. “Therefore, some sunscreen ingredients approved in Korea may not be approved in the US.”
While one could argue that this stymies innovation, the more stringent oversight may make for guaranteed efficacy, since a given sunscreen in the US has to have testing to back up the SPF indicated on the label.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Claire Chang, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City
- Dr. David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of skin-care brand Lightsaver