Top Korean Sunscreens 2023

We’ve all experienced the feeling of a cakey, smelly sunscreen painting your face as white as a ghost on a breezy summer day–your pores clogging and the stinging sensation in your eyes intensify by the second. What was once a trivial step in our daily routines has become something to look forward to in the morning as companies release sunscreens with gentler formulas and beneficial ingredients. Korean skincare brands continue to push the boundaries of sun protection into 2023, blending skincare and science to create products that shield our skin from harmful UV rays and nourish, hydrate, and reduce acne, buildup, and inflammation in the skin. If you’re looking for sunscreen and lost on where to start, here we share our favorite sunscreens that have captured the attention of skincare junkies worldwide. These sunscreens are SPF 50 with a PA++++ rating, providing high-level UVA protection. They also contain chemical UV filters such as Uvinal A Plus and T 150 that protect against UVB rays, providing broad-spectrum coverage. These sunscreens leave no white cast and also contain skincare ingredients to improve skin health as they protect you from the sun, so everyone can find something that pairs well with them regardless of skin type or skin tone. Here are our top Korean sunscreens of 2023:

1) SKIN 1004 Sun Cream

The SKIN 1004 Sun Serum is a standout in sun protection. This serum-like sunscreen is an expert fusion of science and skincare, combining centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and cica water for a dual-action approach. It shields your skin from harmful UV rays while pampering it with hydration, presenting a balanced blend that truly cares for your complexion.

What sets this sun serum apart is its commitment to enhancing your skin's safety and texture. It's designed to refine your skin's surface over time by incorporating cell-communicating ingredients like niacinamide and adenosine.

Ideal for those who prefer a minimalist skincare routine, the SKIN 1004 Sun Serum is formulated without fragrance or essential oils. This thoughtful approach ensures that it caters to sensitive skin types and those who appreciate simplicity in their regimen. And despite its potent blend of ingredients, the serum remains wonderfully lightweight, making it an excellent option for combo and oily skin textures. This characteristic ensures you can enjoy its benefits every season without feeling weighed down.

The SKIN 1004 sunscreen is available on Yesstyle and Olive Young

2) Beauty of Joseon Relief Sunscreen

The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sunscreen has emerged as a game-changer in sun protection and is one of the most purchased sunscreens in Olive Young, a major beauty store in Korea. Infused with 30% rice probiotics + traditional Korean herbal extracts such as ginseng root and green tea, this sunscreen offers broad-spectrum UV defense while soothing the skin, making it an ideal choice for sensitive or reactive skin. This sun cream also features niacinamide to help with hyperpigmentation. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture absorbs seamlessly into the skin, leaving behind a smooth canvas for makeup application. It is also free of alcohol and fragrance, adding to the benefits for those with sensitive skin.

The BOJ sunscreen is available on Yesstyle and Olive Young

3) Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen

The Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen stands as one of Korea’s most sought-after sunscreens, winning the Olive Young sunscreen awards in 2022. Infused with the anti-inflammatory ingredient birch sap, it quenches the skin’s thirst for hydration while providing reliable sun protection. Birch sap also contains 17 amino acids, creating a layer of antioxidant protection to defend against environmental stressors. Its unique moisturizing properties create a dewy, radiant finish. In just a couple of years after its launch in 2020, it has become a staple in the routines of K-beauty enthusiasts and proves the product is a standout option for those with dehydrated skin types.

The Round Lab sunscreen is available on Yesstyle and Olive Young (comes with sample Round Lab cleanser)

4) Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel

This sun gel takes the concept of “barely there” to a whole new level as it glides onto the skin with a refreshing, watery texture that doesn’t compromise on sun protection. Infused with 8 different types of hyaluronic acid with different molecular sizes, this sun cream has the potential to deeply hydrate every layer of the skin with water up to 1000x its weight. It also contains astaxanthin, an antioxidant found in fish and certain algae that protect cells from inflammation, redness, and other damage. Formulated without fragrance, this sun cream won’t inflame sensitive skin types. Hydrating even for those with the driest skin textures, Isntree ensures a glass skin glow after every application as the sun cream brightens skin and reduces wrinkles by protecting the skin from solar and air pollutants.

The Isntree sun gel is available on Yesstyle and Olive Young

5) d’Alba Waterfull Essence Sun Cream

The d’Alba Waterfull Essence Sun Cream is a fast-absorbing, non-irritating sunscreen to pamper without leaving a white cast. This sun cream’s key ingredient is Trufferol, an antioxidant superstar created by infusing Italian white truffles with tocopherol (vitamin E). It provides a plethora of antioxidants while tightening skin texture, adding to the anti-aging benefits.

The d’Alba sun cream applies with an essence-like texture and contains niacinamide, adenosine, centella, and houttuynia cordata to calm skin, hydrate, and create a luminous glow. This shield helps combat environmental stress and oxidative damage, ensuring your skin stays healthy and radiant. It also protects against blue light so that doom scrolling won’t affect you as negatively. Plus, it's a vegan-friendly option approved by the Italian Vegetarian Association.

This sun cream does double duty as an excellent base, setting the stage for flawless makeup application. With this sun cream, you’re embracing a holistic approach to skincare that helps you look radiant throughout your daily routine.

The d’Alba sunscreen is available on Olive Young

6) Cell Fusion C Laser SPF Derma Relief Sunscreen 100

Though lesser known globally, this sunscreen is very popular in Korea–and for good reason. The Cell Fusion C Laser sunscreen is alcohol-free and formulated specifically for sensitive skin types.

Unlike other sunscreens in this list, this is a hybrid sunscreen, which includes chemical and physical UV filters in its formulation. Chemical UV filters are very common in Korean sunscreen and work by penetrating the skin, then breaking down sun rays. Chemical UV filters don’t leave a white cast since they sink into the skin, but certain formulations can irritate sensitive skin types since the UV filter still interacts with the skin. Physical UV filters sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays, proving a less sensitizing option for those irritated by exclusively chemical UV formulations. This sunscreen contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its physical UV filters, providing well-researched, non-comedogenic care for your skin.

Combining the benefits of both chemical and physical sunscreens, the Cell Fusion C sunscreen has a velvety texture that applies like a facial moisturizer. It contains antioxidants such as CoQ10 and vitamin E to protect skin against free radicals in the air. You can also find ingredients such as collagen and the peptide, Argireline, to plump the skin and reduce wrinkles. This sunscreen is flying off the shelves with a unique formulation and ingredients not found in other sunscreens on this list.

The Cell Fusion C Laser sunscreen is available on Olive Young

2023 has unveiled a stellar lineup of sunscreens that combine sun protection and hydration. These cult favorites have captivated the skincare community with their innovative formulas, offering a shield against the sun's rays while quenching the skin's thirst for moisture. Hopefully this list helps you find a new favorite addition to your routine!