If your TikTok algorithm is anything like ours, it’s full of Korean sunscreen recommendations and reviews. So of course, we just had to try them for ourselves to find the very best ones for you (and us.) They’re a staple in the popular 10-step K-Beauty routine and help achieve the coveted glass skin thanks to their calming ingredients and antioxidant properties.
But which is the best Korean sunscreen? Which Korean SPF is best for sensitive skin? And which K-Beauty SPF leaves no white cast? We’ve tried, tested, and reviewed nine Korean SPFs to answer your questions and help you find the best SPF for your skin type. So whether you’re breakout-prone or prefer a tinted SPF, scroll on to read our honest reviews.
Why Are Korean Sunscreens So Good?
Korean sunscreens are lightweight, effective, and often double up as skincare treatments thanks to hydrating, soothing, and calming properties. Most feature traditional Korean ingredients like centella asiatica, snail mucin, and heartleaf, which help tackle hydration, redness, and blemishes while protecting against harmful UVA/UVB rays.
Korean SPFs are also loved for their silky, non-greasy textures that absorb beautifully and leave no white cast—making them perfect for no-makeup days or sitting underneath makeup. This is why they’re considered one of the best Korean skincare products.
Our Top 9 Korean Sunscreens
1. Best overall Korean sunscreen: Purito Seoul Wonder Releaf Centella Daily Sun Lotion
2. Best Korean chemical sunscreen: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++
3. Best Korean sunscreen for sensitive skin: Round Lab Birch Juice Cream
4. Best tinted Korean sunscreen: Dr Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 50
5. Best hydrating Korean sunscreen: COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++
6. Best Korean sunscreen for acne-prone skin: Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++
7. Best no white-cast Korean sunscreen: haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen
8. Best matte-finish Korean sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia
9. Best lightweight Korean sunscreen: Innisfree Daily UV Defence Sunscreen
1. Purito Seoul Wonder Releaf Centella Daily Sun Lotion
Name: Chloe Wise
Skin type: Combination, Breakout-prone
Rated: Best overall Korean sunscreen
Review in one line: “Most importantly to me, it doesn’t break me out”
“This is the first product I have tried from Purito Seoul and it’s quickly become a staple in my skincare routine. The Wonder Releaf Centella Daily Sun Lotion feels lightweight has no white cast and it sits perfectly under makeup. The gel-cream like texture is really different from any other SPF I’ve tried, I look dewy and plump without looking greasy or oily, and most importantly to me, it doesn’t break me out. It contains Centella Asiatica which helps calm any redness or irritation. Plus, the brown algae extract helps protect from environmental aggressors which is vital when living in a city like me.”
2. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun SPF 50+ PA++++
Name: Aisha Malhi
Skin type: Sensitive
Rated: Best Korean chemical sunscreen
Review in one line: “I loved how it felt more like skincare than sunscreen”
“I tried the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ and was genuinely impressed. It promises to soothe, moisturise, and brighten while offering strong sun protection and it delivered. The lightweight, serum-like texture absorbed quickly with no white cast, and my skin felt calm, hydrated, and smooth after application. I loved how it felt more like skincare than sunscreen. With consistent use, I noticed reduced redness and a more even skin tone. It didn’t clog my pores or feel greasy, making it perfect for daily use. I’d repurchase and incorporate it into my routine as my go-to SPF for healthy, glowing skin.”
3. Round Lab Birch Juice Sun Cream
Name: Sophie Dickson
Skin type: Dry
Rated: Best Korean sunscreen for sensitive skin
Review in one line: “I found it really lightweight but hydrating, so it didn’t leave my skin feeling sticky or heavy”
“As someone with both fair skin and sensitive skin, finding the right SPF is so important – especially now as we’re so conscious of how the UV rays can effect our skin. Therefore, I have a very specific list of requirements which an SPF needs to meet to become part of my routine and the Round Lab Birch Juice Cream ticks all the boxes.
I found it really lightweight but hydrating, so it didn’t leave my skin feeling sticky or heavy. And it didn’t clog up my pores. Instead, I felt moisturised, protected, and soothed – all things it claims to do. I also noticed my skin looked and felt more plumped, and I got a few comments on how glowy I looked too.”
4. Dr Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 50
Name: Summer-May Henry
Skin type: Combination
Rated: Best tinted Korean sunscreen
Review in one line: “I honestly wear this every single day and couldn’t be without it”
“I’m OBSESSED with this SPF and I literally tell everyone to use it! The Dr Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 50 gives the most gorgeous subtle tint of colour, evening out my complexion. It is perfect for everyday wear, especially when you want a “no makeup” makeup look. It provides a gorgeous glow, giving a glass skin effect without being oily. I honestly wear this every single day and couldn’t be without it.”
5. COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++
Name: Anita Mattioni
Skin type: Combination
Rated: Best hydrating Korean sunscreen
Review in one line: “It’s super light and goes on smoothly without leaving that tacky feeling on your skin”
“I love the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++ sunscreen as it’s super light and goes on smoothly without leaving that tacky feeling on your skin. I feel like it’s really hydrating my skin as well as protecting it, probably because it’s packed with Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract which is known for soothing and moisturising. It also doesn’t have the typical smell of sunscreen which is a bonus for me!”
6. Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++
Name: Chloe Tebbutt
Skin type: Oily, Acne-prone
Rated: Best Korean sunscreen for acne-prone skin
Review in one line: “It’s lightweight, easy to apply, and doesn’t irritate my skin at all”
“I’ve tried a few different K-Beauty SPFs before, but none quite suited my acne-prone skin. The Thank You Farmer Water Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ really lives up to its claims. It gives a gorgeous, glowy finish without feeling heavy or clogging my pores. My favourite things about it are that it’s lightweight, easy to apply, and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. After using it, my skin feels hydrated, fresh, and dewy, with no stickiness. It sits well under makeup too, which is a huge plus. I’ll definitely be using this every day!”
7. haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+/PA++++
Name: Rachel Brown
Skin type: Combination
Rated: Best no white-cast Korean sunscreen
Review in one line: “I have peace of mind my face will be protected all day long, even though I can’t feel it on my skin”
“I have been using sunscreen on my face for years but had never tried a Korean sunscreen, but the haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen is amazing! As soon as I put it on, I can feel my skin becoming more hydrated. I love that sinks in really quickly, so I am not left feeling greasy and there isn’t a white cast. I have peace of mind my face will be protected all day long, even though I can’t feel it on my skin. And there’s a huge bonus – it doesn’t have that SPF smell, which I personally find off-putting! I will definitely continue to use this product.”
8. Beauty of Joseon Sun Stick : Mugwort + Camelia
Name: Sophie Luu
Skin type: Combination
Rated: Best matte-finish Korean sunscreen
Review in one line: “I noticed my T-zone stayed more matte than usual without drying out my skin”
“I’ve used Beauty of Joseon Products in the past and they’ve never let me down. The Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia is my new addition to my skincare routine and it’s become one of my new favourites. The packaging promised a lightweight, non-greasy finish, and that’s exactly what I got. I loved how easy it was to reapply through the day without it feeling too heavy on the skin. My skin felt balanced, hydrated but not oily, which is rare for my combination skin in the summer. I noticed my T-zone stayed more matte than usual without drying out my skin. The stick format made sun protection so convenient and the gorgeous herbal scent was subtle and refreshing. I’d recommend.”
9. Innisfree Daily UV Defence Sunscreen
Name: Phoebe Page
Skin type: Sensitive
Rated: Best lightweight Korean sunscreen
Review in one line: “I love that sinks in really quickly, so I am not left feeling greasy”
“I have been using sunscreen on my face for years but had never tried a Korean sunscreen, but the haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen is amazing! As soon as I put it on, I can feel my skin becoming more hydrated. I love that sinks in really quickly, so I am not left feeling greasy and there isn’t a white cast. I have peace of mind my face will be protected all day long, even though I can’t feel it on my skin. And there’s a huge bonus – it doesn’t have that SPF smell, which I personally find off-putting! I will definitely continue to use this product.”
