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Summer is here, so let’s talk about the top Korean sunscreens to protect your skin.
As soon as the weather gets warmer, you can count on me to be the friend constantly asking, “Are you wearing your SPF?”. Don’t be surprised if I pull out a couple of tubes and sprays from my bag if you tell me you aren’t wearing any.
SPF is important all year round, of course, but it’s never more important than in the summer when the UV rays tend to be higher (and stronger). Although getting a tan is nice, it’s not worth the skin damage, so I always make sure to apply (and reapply!) sunscreen to my face and body every day during the warmer months.
I know that SPF can feel like another step in an already lengthy skincare routine, but it’s still important. If you haven’t found an SPF that you’ve been able to integrate into your routine, I’m here to share 5 of my favourite Korean face sunscreens that are a joy to use.
Why is Sunscreen So Important?
If you want to protect your skin, wearing sunscreen on a daily basis is essential. The most important reason is that the sun’s rays cause your skin to burn and can contribute to more serious effects like skin cancer.
On a more aesthetic note, the sun’s rays can also lead to premature ageing. There have been plenty of studies that show people who wear sunscreen on a daily basis stay looking youthful for much longer than people who don’t. I don’t know about you, but I would like to age gracefully rather than speeding it up all in the name of a good tan.
Although it’s even more important to wear sunscreen in the summer months when the weather is warm, I’m a strong believer in wearing sunscreen every day. For me, it’s become part of my morning routine, so I never miss it. After I apply moisturiser, it’s natural to reach for my SPF.
How We Rate Sunscreens
When it comes to picking the best sunscreens, I’m a tough customer. I’ve tried too many sunscreens that feel thick, greasy, break me out or leave a white tinge to my face. I have high standards but like I’ve said before, the best sunscreen is one that you actually use, so any sunscreen that I recommend needs to tick all the boxes.
There are so many factors that make a good SPF, but here are the three main things I’m looking for when I’m reviewing products:
- SPF: I have fair skin that burns very easily, so I always look for a minimum of SPF50. I personally wouldn’t use an SPF 30 on my face (unless I really loved the product). I would never go below SPF30, even if I found a great product.
- Price: If you’re using the correct amount of sunscreen (two fingers’ worth), you’ll find you go through tubes of sunscreen pretty quickly, so it’s not affordable to be paying for luxury products. I think around the $20 or under price range is reasonable.
- Texture: I want a sunscreen that is lightweight, sinks into the skin quickly and plays well with my other skincare products. Anything that pills is a no-go, just like anything that has a white cast is something I would hesitate to recommend, purely because it wouldn’t work for everyone.
It can be hard to find good sunscreens that tick all of these boxes, especially ones that are at a reasonable price. However, I can always count on Korean brands to meet all of my criteria.
My Top Korean Sunscreens
When I look through my skincare shelves, pretty much every sunscreen I own comes from a Korean beauty brand. It’s not exactly been intentional; it’s just that their sunscreen formulas are leagues ahead of any other brands.
After trying countless sun protection products, I think I have the authority to round up the 5 best Korean sunscreens. Here they are…
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel
Out of the friends I have that don’t like sunscreen, their biggest issue is normally textural. After applying serums and moisturisers to your face, a thick sunscreen isn’t ideal, especially if you have oily skin. In this case, I would recommend something like the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel. It’s a super lightweight gel formula that feels like nothing on the skin after it’s been applied. It also contains hyaluronic acid, so it’s surprisingly hydrating considering the texture.
TOCOBO Cica Calming Sun Serum
If you have dry or sensitive skin, you’ll be very interested to hear about the TOCOBO Cica Calming Sun Serum. It’s a vegan, reef-safe chemical SPF that not only provides maximum sun protection, but it’s also infused with centella asiatica and aloe vera extracts to soothe and hydrate the skin throughout the day. I like that it’s lightweight, quick-absorbing and extra soothing.
MISSHA All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun
Another super lightweight product is the MISSHA All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun. It’s a gorgeous texture that really quickly blends into the skin and sinks in. You don’t need to worry about this stinging your eyes or irritating sensitive skin either. It works great on top of other skincare products and creates a nice, smooth base for you to apply the rest of your makeup on top of.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-fresh
It wouldn’t be an SPF roundup without me mentioning my long-time favourite SPF, the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh. It was probably one of the first sunscreens that I used that actually made me look forward to using it. It feels luxurious and light on the skin, sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave any sort of white cast or residue on the skin – it’s perfection.
ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
Finally, we have a relatively new contender in the list of my favourite sun protection products, but one that is definitely moving up the rankings extremely quickly. The ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen feels very similar to the Beauty of Joseon SPF for me, it’s hydrating, feels like a moisturiser and is a pleasure to use.
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