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If you haven't tried one of the best Korean sunscreens—or any Korean sunscreen, period—it's high time you do, and we're sharing our favorite formulas so you can pass on the good word. These SPFs glide on like a dream, disappear without a trace, quench dehydrated skin, brighten dull complexions, and of course, protect us against sun damage. Even with the new regulations that prevent sunscreens with non-FDA-approved UV filters from being sold in the U.S. (including Amazon!), we've still got a wide range of elegant, lightweight formulas to choose from, whether it's a viral, fan-favorite like Round Lab or an up-and-coming brand like Knours. Keep scrolling to learn what sets the best Korean sunscreens apart, thanks to wisdom from K-beauty experts, board-certified dermatologists, and Allure editors.
Our Top Korean Sunscreens
- Best Mineral Sunscreen Overall: Koolsol by Knours Ultra Light Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, $25
- Best Chemical Sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen, $18
- Best for Dull Skin: Medicube No Cast Just Glow Collagen Sunscreen SPF 50, $22
- Best for Redness: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV SPF 50, $26
- Best for Dehydrated Skin: Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+, $28
- Best Lightweight: Fromrier EGF Cica Water Sun Ampoule, $39
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Pure Mineral Relief Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++, $22
- Best for Combination Skin: Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen SPF 50, $18
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How are Korean sunscreens different from Western sunscreens?
- Are Korean sunscreens better than Western sunscreens?
- How should I choose a Korean sunscreen?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
P.S. For those who can't quit "true" Korean formulations (with those innovative UV filters, who can blame you?), there are Asia-based retailers such as Olive Young (the Sephora of Korea, essentially), Stylevana, and Yesstyle that you can buy from with confidence.
Best Mineral Sunscreen Overall: Koolsol by Knours Ultra Light Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
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Koolsol by Knours
Ultra Light Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Amazon
Soko Glam
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Mineral sunscreen gets a bad rap, but for valid reasons. Zinc oxide is a white powder, so it's impossible to formulate a sunscreen that provides zero cast on all skin tones. Your best bet is probably a tinted mineral sunscreen, but for those who don't prefer tinted SPFs (including yours truly), Koolsol by Knours Ultra Light Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is as good as it gets. Shake well, and let the formula do the rest of the talking. It feels and applies very much like a chemical sunscreen and is padded by hydrating and soothing ingredients such as cica, snow mushroom, aloe, and niacinamide for an all-around seamless, comfortable, and nearly-invisible finish.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Knours by Koolsol Ultra Light Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Knours by Koolsol Ultra Light Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I have never met a Korean mineral sunscreen—or any mineral sunscreen, especially untinted—that has this close to the feel of a chemical sunscreen. As you probably know, no mineral sunscreen can be 100% cast-free (zinc oxide starts as a white powder, after all!), but Koolsol Ultra Light Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 leaves my complexion looking almost indiscernibly the same. I only notice the teeniest tinge of cast in real life but I honestly don't think an observer would. (At least my boyfriend, who stares at my face quite a lot, couldn't tell!) It applies so elegantly, like a lightweight moisturizer, and leaves my skin looking dewy, but not overly so. I'd never thought I'd say such a thing, but I think I even prefer this mineral option over Knours' chemical SPF (which is also nice, to be fair)!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Sunscreen type: mineral
- Key ingredients: zinc oxide (10%), niacinamide, snow mushroom, aloe, cica
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it's for: all skin types
Best Chemical Sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen
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Beauty of Joseon
Day Dew Sunscreen
Sephora
Kohl's
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen SPF 50
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: Beauty of Joseon’s Day Dew Sunscreen might just outshine their viral Relief Sun (which is only available in Korea). It’s the same lightweight, skin-first feel everyone loved from the OG, but now also in a U.S.-compliant formula. Chemical sunscreens are generally great for anyone who dislikes thicker mineral formulations, struggles with white cast, or wants SPF that layers invisibly under makeup—think oily, combination, or deeper skin tones. Plenty of skin-care benefits are baked in, too: Hyaluronic acid hydrates without heaviness, niacinamide helps visibly brighten and calm, and panthenol adds an extra boost of moisture for a fresh, dewy finish, making reapplication something you look forward to.
Lee before applying the Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen SPF 50
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen SPF 50
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“If you’d blindfold me and I couldn't see the word ‘sunscreen' on the tube, I could swear Beauty of Joseon’s Dewy Day Sunscreen is just a lightweight moisturizer. It has that milky-but-not-goopy slip, sinks in immediately, and leaves a healthy, dewy sheen that makes my skin look (and feel) way more hydrated.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: 3% avobenzone, 7% homosalate, 5% octisalate, 5% octocrylene, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it’s for: all skin types
Best for Dull Skin: Medicube No Cast Just Glow Collagen Sunscreen SPF 50
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Medicube
No Cast Just Glow Collagen Sunscreen SPF 50
Amazon
Yesstyle
Why we love it: There are a lot of K-beauty sunscreens out there, but when Allure’s resident K-beauty expert said she’d found the “glowiest sunscreen ever,” we immediately took note. Enter Medicube’s No Cast Just Glow Collagen Sunscreen SPF 50—a chemical sunscreen that’s all about protection and radiance, without any chalkiness in sight. It’s especially great for dull, tired-looking skin thanks to a skincare-forward lineup. Niacinamide helps visibly brighten and even tone, while hyaluronic acid boosts hydration so skin looks plumper and fresher, not flat or greasy. Collagen and peptides give skin that softly cushioned, lit-from-within finish, and soothing Centella asiatica (cica) helps soothe skin. The result is a broad-spectrum SPF that delivers protection and endless glow, so your highlighter can take the day off.
Han applying the Medicube No Cast Just Glow Collagen Sunscreen SPF 50
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Medicube No Cast Just Glow Collagen Sunscreen
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
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“Medicube was not lying about 'No Cast, Just Glow' name. This is one of the glowest, most brightening sunscreens I've ever tried, and boy, does my dried-out winter skin appreciate it. (Full disclosure: I don't think my combo skin could handle this during the warmer months, lest I want to venture straight into greasy, not glowy, territory.) It does take a beat to fully rub in—granted, I go a little heavy on application, but better to overdo it than…underdo it—but once you do, there's nary a trace! The ingredients are quite familiar to the average skin-care lover, but something about this lineup—niacinamide, cica, peptides, and collagen—ups the dewy ante by a lot, and I'm glad for it. I can easily skip my a.m. moisturizer and it also doubles as a hydrating primer. Win, win, and win." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: 13.6% homosalate, 9% octocrylene, 4.5% octisalate, 2.7% avobenzone, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, collagen, peptides, Centella asiatica
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it's for: everyone, especially those with dry or dull skin
Best for Redness: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV SPF 50
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Skin1004
Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV SPF 50
Ulta Beauty
Olive Young
Yesstyle
Why we love it: The ingredients in Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV read like a who’s who for sensitive skin. Designed to feel more like a calming serum than a traditional sunscreen, it stars cica to help soothe redness and irritation, while antioxidant-rich extracts like green tea, rice, and oat add an extra layer of comfort. Panthenol and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid deliver lightweight, all-day hydration, keeping skin plump and comfortable without heaviness. And while the texture feels far thinner and more weightless than your average SPF, that’s the whole point: It melts in fast, leaves zero white cast, and keeps that fresh, healthy glow going strong.
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV SPF 50
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum UV SPF 50
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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"I always prefer lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas. Nothing in the U.S. market really compares to this serum, which sinks in quickly and leaves my skin looking dewy, but not chalky or greasy. And it's infused with cica, which I've found actually tends to reduce redness of any active breakouts." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: UV filters undisclosed, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, Centella asiatica, green tea leaf, rice extract, oat extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it's for: people with dry or sensitive skin
Best for Dehydrated Skin: Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+
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Round Lab
Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Soko Glam
Lee applying Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: Round Lab made one giant splash with its Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen, so it's no surprise the brand quickly followed up with an FDA-approved formula—and we're happy to report the UVLock version is still one of the most elegant sunscreens we've slathered on. Derms agree, too. “It’s a moisturizing sunscreen that is formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and antioxidants to hydrate and soothe the skin,” says Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “It blends in easily and layers beautifully with other skin-care products and makeup.” Not only is it hydrating, but UVLock also contains birch tree sap, panthenol, and purslane extract to calm the skin and curb inflammation.
Tester feedback from Lee
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"I can’t believe it took me this long to try the Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen. Now I fully get the hype. It disappears instantly, makes my skin feel hydrated thanks to the birch sap, and honestly, my only complaint is that it doesn’t come in a jumbo bottle so I can slather it everywhere." —Christa Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, birch tree sap, niacinamide, glycerin (no percentages of UV filters listed)
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it's for: all skin types
Best Lightweight: Fromrier EGF Cica Water Sun Ampoule SPF 50+ PA++++
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Fromrier
EGF Cica Water Sun Ampoule SPF 50+ PA++++
Olive Young
Why we love it: We knew there wouldn’t be just one serum-like sunscreen on this list—they’re simply that good. Fromrier EGF Cica Water Sun Ampoule SPF 50+ PA++++ is another standout, delivering serious sun protection in a silky ampoule formula. The ultra-fluid texture absorbs instantly on contact, while cica helps calm easily reactive skin. A blend of soothing botanicals—including laminaria japonica (kelp)—adds extra anti-redness support, and niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier over time. The addition of hyaluronic acid hydrates without shine, making this a no-brainer for any skin type that wants SPF that truly feels weightless.
P.S. The PA system measures protection against UVA rays (the ones linked to premature aging and long-term skin damage), and PA++++ is the highest rating, signaling very strong UVA defense
Han applying the Fromrier EGF Cica Water Sun Ampoule SPF 50+ PA++++
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Fromrier EGF Cica Water Sun Ampoule SPF 50+ PA++++
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
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“This been my number one sunscreen, full stop—and that's a huge claim coming from a Korean sunscreen obsessive like myself. Thanks to its more fluid ampoule formula, it absorbs almost fully in one swipe, and the glow is still on par with all my other chemical sunscreens. I'll let my video clip speak for itself. I love growth factor serums for their elasticity-boosting benefits, but haven't come across any sunscreens that feature them, so that's another high point. Plus, there's soothing cica, which I never have anything bad to say about. I just started my second bottle!” —Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: UV filters undisclosed, Centella asiatica, laminaria japonica extract, glycerin, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it's for: everyone
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
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Haruharu Wonder
Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
Yesstyle
Stylevana
Olive Young
Pai applying the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++
Deanna Pai
Why we love it: Rice is endlessly versatile in Korean culture—food, skin care, even DIY school “glue” in a pinch (we digress). Haruharu Wonder taps into that tradition with its Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++, made with fermented black rice sourced from Jindo, a quiet island off Korea’s southwest coast. The brand slowly brews its rice bran oil at low temperatures for 100 hours(!) to preserve its antioxidant power, improve absorption, and deliver lightweight moisture with a soft, healthy glow. The formula is especially friendly for oily and acne-prone skin, thanks to niacinamide, calming heartleaf, and a breathable, non-greasy texture that won’t clog pores. There’s also moringa oil in the mix, helping purify and moisturize skin without tipping things into greasy territory.
Tester feedback from Pai
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"I didn't even know I needed a sunscreen like this until I tried it. It just…disappears into my oily skin. It doesn't leave it dewy, but also not particularly matte. The velvety texture just sinks in and becomes undetectable—which is pretty much all I want from my sunscreen." — Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: UV filters not disclosed, rice bran oil/extract, glycerin, niacinamide, ceramide NP, heartleaf, moringa oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it's for: people with acne-prone or oily skin
Best for Combination Skin: Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen SPF 50
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Anua
Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen SPF 50
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Yesstyle
Han applying the Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen SPF 50
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Not sure if you're applying enough sunscreen? We've been there. Anua’s Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen SPF 50 takes the guesswork out of it with a sunny cap that doubles as a measuring cup (roughly a half teaspoon—the ideal amount for face and neck). What really sets it apart for combination skin, though, is how well-balanced the formula feels. A reliable chemical UV filter blend does the heavy lifting, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid keep drier areas comfortably hydrated. At the same time, niacinamide helps rein in excess oil in shine-prone spots like the T-zone. Dimethicone smooths and blurs without heaviness, panthenol helps calm and support the skin barrier, and vitamin E adds a boost of antioxidant protection.
Tester feedback from Han
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“Anua's Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen SPF 50 is a newer addition to the routine but it made a great first (and second, and third, and so on…) impression. This is a true cream so it takes me a good 20 seconds to blend in fully (I do go heavy on the dosage though, to be fair), but once it does, I'm left with a dewy but not greasy-looking finish. My makeup glides on after the fact but, on days I don't wear any, my skin just looks more alive and refreshed.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene (percentages undisclosed), glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Who it's for: people with oily, combination, or normal skin
Other great Korean sunscreens
- Want a straight-up, clear chemical sunscreen à la Supergoop Unseen? Sungboon Editor's Daily Invisible Blurring Sunscreen comes out as a transparent gel that helps blur the look of pores, while niacinamide and glutathione help even out your skin tone.
- Need a mess-free, hands-free SPF for on-the-go touchups? Cosrx’s Airy-Light Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 glides on invisibly, protecting skin while infusing it with camellia seed oil for lightweight nourishment and ascorbic acid (a stable vitamin C derivative) for a subtle brightening boost.
- Looking for a hybrid sunscreen that won’t pill under foundation? Cell Fusion C’s Laser UV Defense combines chemical and mineral UV filters with barrier-supporting ceramides and collagen to keep skin calm, hydrated, and perfectly prepped for makeup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Korean sunscreens different from Western sunscreens?
One of the key differences between Western sunscreens and Korean sunscreens is their role in our perception of skin care, as Zion Ko Lamm, MD, a board-certified internal medicine doctor based in Charlotte, North Carolina, points out. Korean sunscreens are part of a skin-care lifestyle, defending against a broader range of long-term effects of the sun and promoting general skin health. On the other hand, Western sunscreens are formulated with necessity in mind, beginning and ending with sun protection.
Another difference is that no matter how much zinc oxide they contain, Korean mineral sunscreens are transparent on all skin tones, free of the telltale white cast that we often experience with non-Korean sunscreens. Plus, both chemical and mineral Korean sunscreens feature ingredients found in your favorite serums and moisturizers, like Centella asiatica, allantoin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. So when you apply Korean sunscreen to your face, you protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays and work in a layer of hydrating, brightening, and smoothing benefits.
Are Korean sunscreens better than Western sunscreens?
Depends on who you ask, but many would say yes. Why? "It's not that South Korea has something specifically unique that allows them to create better sunscreens," Toronto-based cosmetic chemist Stephen Ko previously told Allure. "They just have access to more sunscreen ingredients to work with."
Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies sunscreen as a drug, its chemicals and components must undergo lengthy, formal drug approval processes, which results in limitations to the ingredients in Western formulas. In fact, "there hasn't been a new [chemical or mineral] approved for use in sunscreens in the U.S. since 1999," says Ko. This also allows Korean brands to incorporate SPF and skin care innovations into their formulas more swiftly, allowing for more state-of-the-art, sophisticated formulations (active ingredients include Tinosorb S, Uvinul A Plus, and Uvinul T 150).
In short, the U.S. is "terribly behind the rest of the world in approving sunscreens that are superior to those we have," Vivian Bucay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Antonio, Texas, previously told Allure. Even Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez agrees. If you're passionate about sunscreens like we are, she encourages people to contact their congressperson (especially if they sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee) and call upon them to "break through some of the regulatory barriers at the FDA" and "fund public research so that we can all enjoy the filters that develop out of the scientific process."
How should I choose a Korean sunscreen?
A lot of this depends on your personal preferences, just like any sunscreen produced in the US, Europe, Asia, etc. But if you look at Korean sunscreen packaging, you'll notice "PA" next to the SPF grades. While SPF measures the degree of UVB light protection, PA (Protection Grade of UVA) is all about UVA light and your protection from developing pigmentation, says Dr. Ko Lamm. She equates PA+++ to SPF 30 and recommends seeking out sunscreens with a minimum of each. "PA is based on the PPD test or the persistent pigmentation darkening test. It measures the multiple increases of UVA a person can theoretically be exposed to without tanning or darkening of the skin," Dr. Ko Lamm adds. "The PA system ranges from PA+ to PA++++; the maximum rating means it has a PPD value of 16." This means that while wearing PA++++ sunscreen, your skin can withstand 16 times more UVA radiation than it would without the sunscreen. So, until you exceed that hypothetical 16x UVA level, you won't start to tan or burn.
Meet the experts
- Vivian Bucay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based at the Bucay Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics based in San Antonio, Texas
- Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Stephen Ko, a cosmetic chemist based in Toronto
- Zion Ko Lamm, MD, a board-certified internal medicine doctor based in Charlotte, North Carolina
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Korean sunscreens, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients, efficacy, product wear, and benefits. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.