Formulas that emphasize sun protection and glow-boosting ingredients.
Among the many innovations that K-beauty has brought us, SPF might be one of the most impressive. Adding one of the best Korean sunscreens to your skin-care routine means you can forget about greasy texture, chalky finishes, and hard-to-apply formulas that cause makeup pilling.
Korean sunscreens have gained increasing popularity for their cosmetic elegance, innovative ingredients, broad-spectrum UV protection, and added skin-care benefits, says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York. “As awareness of the importance of SPF protection grows, Korean sunscreens are becoming increasingly popular for daily use,” says Charlotte Cho, esthetician and cofounder of Then I Met You and Soko Glam. To help you find the best options, we spoke with beauty experts including dermatologists, estheticians, and editors who use Korean sunscreens daily. Below, Glamour editors, Dr. Chang, Cho, and Erica Choi, esthetician and founder of Superegg, share their top picks.
The best Korean sunscreens, at a glance
- Best Overall: Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen, $32
- Best for Dry Skin: Lightsaver Tinted Activated Mineral Sunscreen, $45
- Best for Oily Skin: IOPE UV Defense Sun Protector, $32
- Best for Combination Skin: Tirtir Hydro UV Shield Sunscreen, $18
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+ Sunscreen, $23
- Best for Dull Skin: The Face Shop Hydro Sun Barrier, $18
- Best on TikTok: Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen, $20
What’s the difference between Korean sunscreens and US sunscreens?
Some of the most popular K-beauty sunscreens have the advantage of using filters we don’t have access to in the US. “Korean sunscreen filters are remarkably advanced, offering a weightless, hydrating, and natural finish that sets them apart from traditional sunscreens,” says Cho. So why aren’t they available Stateside? “Sunscreen testing and approval processes vary globally,” explains Dr. Chang. “In the US, sunscreens are considered a drug that undergoes strict FDA testing and regulation.
The FDA has a famously short, unchanging list of approved sunscreen filters that excludes many of the options used in other countries. You’re likely already familiar with filters like titanium dioxide or octinoxate, since they originate from a list that hasn’t been updated with new options since 1999. Recently, these regulations have tightened, leading K-beauty brands to pull popular Korean sunscreens off US retailers like Amazon. In response, many Korean skin-care brands have begun releasing OTC-compliant formulas that use FDA-compliant filters with formulas that still feel like your favorite moisturizer. So even if you can’t shop your former favorite Korean sunscreen, we recommend checking out the list above for the best new FDA-approved Korean sunscreens.
Are Korean sunscreens better?
While Dr. Chang and Cho recognize the appeal of Korean sunscreen filters, they still have plenty of picks that stick to the list of FDA-approved filters more easily accessible in the US. Dr. Chang says that these formulas offer the “multifunctional” benefits K-beauty is known for, “combining UV-blocking ingredients with active ingredients that have other skin benefits, like moisturizing, brightening, free radical fighting, and antiaging properties.” They also feature broad-spectrum protection, meaning they protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Rest assured, this list still features formulas that feel light and easy to wear, no matter your skin type.
1/11
Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen
Both Dr. Chang and Cho highly recommend Neogen’s lightweight sunscreen, which has rave reviews online for its comfortable, light-as-air texture. Dr. Chang likes the “fast-absorbing” formula and ingredients list, which contains 20 kinds of soothing, nourishing plant extracts (like aloe vera, avocado, hibiscus, and acai), paired with hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan to help calm and moisturize the skin. Cho ranks this as one of her top picks for the high SPF rating and “truly airy” feel, plus the inclusion of sebum-controlling plant extracts like tea tree oil help with the appearance of pores. If you tend to avoid SPF because it looks and feels oily, swap it with this formula and you’ll notice a difference. “It doesn’t look cakey or greasy,” says Cho, who also calls out that the formula doesn’t leave any white cast, even on deeper skin tones.
- SPF rating: 50 PA+++
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (octocrylene, homosalate, avobenzone)
- Key ingredients: 20 kinds of plant extracts including aloe, avocado, hibiscus, and acai
- Highlights: Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture, nongreasy finish, no white cast, calming plant extracts
2/11
Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
- This fast-absorbing sunscreen is a recent addition to my routine, but I’ve been obsessed with the way it instantly brightens my skin. Formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a blend of 10 vitamins (including vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid and vitamin B3, a.k.a. niacinamide), it has a lightweight cream texture that feels just like my favorite face moisturizers. The finish this sunscreen leaves is truly so glowy, I’d describe it as an illuminator-like gleam. It never crosses over into greasy territory, but it has prompted several friends to ask what highlighter I’m wearing. I especially love the inclusion of brightening vitamin C in my sunscreen because of its proven antioxidant properties, which help fight free radical damage from UV rays.
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- SPF rating: 50
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone)
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and 10 vitamins (including vitamin C and vitamin B3)
- Highlights: Leaves a very glowy (but not greasy) finish, lightweight, hydrating, brightening ingredients
3/11
Lightsaver Tinted Activated Mineral Sunscreen
Lightsaver’s Tinted Activated Mineral Sunscreen has a whipped, airy texture that melts right into dry skin. The formula is packed with popular hydrators and brighteners like squalane and niacinamide, plus photolyase, an ingredient that studies show can help repair UV damage. While we tested the tinted version, the brand also makes an untinted version with the same formula that feels just as hydrating on dry and dehydrated skin. In testing, we loved how glowy this moisturizing formula made skin look.
- SPF rating: 33
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (zinc oxide)
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, photolyase (plankton extract), squalane
- Highlights: Moisturizing, no white cast, airy texture, tinted and untinted versions
4/11
Tirtir Hydro UV Shield Sunscreen
You may know Tirtir for its TikTok-viral red cushion foundation, but the brand recently launched its first FDA-approved chemical sunscreen. After putting it to the test, we were impressed by the natural finish and fast-absorbing formula. The formula contains hydrating skin-care ingredients including hyaluronic acid, collagen, panthenol, and aloe vera—but doesn’t feel heavy or sticky. It also doesn’t leave a white cast behind no matter how much you apply. “
- SPF rating: 50+
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, avobenzone)
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, phyto-collagen, aloe vera, panthenol
- Highlights: Lightweight feel, nongreasy natural finish, no white cast, layers well under makeup
5/11
Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen
This primer-like sunscreen gets a triple nomination: one from Dr. Chang, one from Choi, and one from me. (I assume that Cho, who’s behind the launch, is also a big fan.) Choi gives major points for the “glowy, luminous finish” and lightweight feel, as well as the ingredients list of “fermented sake extract to moisturize and protect your skin from environmental stressors and a blend of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol for additional benefits.” Dr. Chang echoes her review. “It’s a great multifunctional chemical sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum sun protection along with a blend of ingredients to boost skin hydration,” she says, adding that it “blends easily.”
- SPF rating: 50
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene)
- Key ingredients: Galactomyces ferment filtrate, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, provitamin B5
- Highlights: Lightweight, layers well under makeup, beautiful glowy finish, hydrating skin-care ingredients
6/11
Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen
- Beauty of Joseon’s famous Relief Sun might be TikTok’s most viral Korean sunscreen. While that formula is no longer available in the US, the brand recently launched the FDA-compliant Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen, which uses zinc oxide for its SPF 40 broad-spectrum protection. It feels surprisingly lightweight and fast-absorbing for a mineral sunscreen, and comes in 12 sheer tints made to double as your daily tinted base.
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- SPF rating: 40
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (zinc oxide)
- Key ingredients: Olive lipids, artemisia capillaris extract
- Highlights: Fast-absorbing texture, easy to blend, 12 sheer shades for a wide range of skin tones
7/11
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Here’s a tinted sunscreen in a shade you might not expect: green. Innisfree’s color-correcting formula uses a super-sheer green base to help immediately neutralize any visible redness. “I have combination skin and sometimes get red around my nose and cheeks. The green (though it’s more like jade color) diminishes any redness. But, you do have to rub it in pretty well to avoid any white cast since it’s a thick consistency,” says Glamour’s Calle. She ranks this among her favorite sunscreens because of its “glowy finish.”
- SPF rating: 45
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (zinc oxide)
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, cica
- Highlights: Soothing and hydrating ingredients, tinted to instantly neutralize redness
8/11
The Face Shop Hydro Sun Barrier
One of the most impressive new Korean sunscreens we’ve tried this month is The Face Shop’s Hydro Sun Barrier. This chemical formula has a lightweight, fluid texture that’s easy to blend and apply—and doesn’t leave any white cast behind. The formula is made with brightening, hydrating ingredients like calendula and niacinamide that subtly boost radiance on application. In testing, we loved how refreshing this formula felt. “This sunscreen feels light and intensely hydrating at the same time,” says Wu. “It’s not greasy or sticky in the slightest, and I love how dewy and naturally radiant it makes my skin look.”
- SPF rating: 45
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene)
- Key ingredients: Calendula, niacinamide, panthenol
- Highlights: Lightweight feel, fluid fast-absorbing texture, dewy finish, subtle brightening effect
Courtesy of brand
9/11
Iope UV Defense Sun Protector
As anyone with oily skin knows, heavy sunscreens are no friend to a greasy T-zone. If you’re looking for a formula so lightweight, it stands out even among famously light Korean sunscreen formulas, you need this tube from IOPE. Cho says the original version already started out with a fast-absorbing, nongreasy formula but is now even better. “IOPE reformulated it to be even more lightweight and it truly feels feather-light,” she says. According to the brand, the oily skin-friendly sunscreen contains “microfilters” that help prevent your skin from environmental damage like dust and pollution. Cho also loves the nonsticky finish and “beautifully light floral scent” it leaves behind.
Highlights: Extremely lightweight formula, fast-absorbing
SPF rating: 45
FDA-approved filters: Yes (avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate)
Key ingredients: Ferulic acid
Courtesy of brand
10/11
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+ Sunscreen
If you tend to experience irritation and flare-ups from sunscreen (or just in general), try this best-selling formula designed to protect your skin from heat and irritants. Dr. Chang recommends this sunscreen for sensitive skin and highlights the inclusion of soothing plant extracts like “centella asiatica and houttuynia cordata (also known as chameleon plant) to calm skin.” One caveat: “It leaves a temporary mild white cast upon application,” she says. Amazon reviewers agree, noting that it does mostly fade away as you work it in, but isn’t suitable for darker skin tones.
- SPF rating: 50+ PA++++
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (zinc oxide)
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, houttuynia cordata
- Highlights: Calming plant extracts, gentle formula, recommended for sensitive skin
11/11
Abib Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar
Sun sticks pack your favorite sunscreen formulas into portable, swipe-on SPF sticks you can easily toss in your bag for touch-ups. “Not all sunsticks are created equal, and this one is so thoughtfully created,” says Cho, who loves Abib’s thoughtfully designed details. “The ‘c’ shape of the bar makes reapplication easy,” she says of the curved, contoured surface that effortlessly navigates around hard-to-reach spots like the areas around your nose. It’s also formulated to be water-resistant and contains ectoine, which studies have shown to have a quick soothing effect. Cho also loves how the bar layers over makeup without disturbing it. “The formula glides on effortlessly,” she says. Wu says this sunscreen stick is easily the best she’s tried. “The shape isn’t just a gimmick; it truly makes it easier to reapply when I’m on the go,” she says. “And the radiant finish is so flattering on bare skin or over makeup.”
- SPF rating: 50+
- FDA-approved filters: Yes (homosalate, octocrylene, avobenzone, octisalate)
- Key ingredients: Ectoine, allantoin, sunflower seed oil unsaponifiables
- Highlights: Easy-to-use sun stick, travel-friendly, glides on smooth
