You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (2025)

You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (1)

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Korean skincare is taking center stage in the beauty world because it emphasizes skin-nourishing ingredients. And with sunscreen being one of the most essential parts of a skincare routine, you'll want to choose a product that goes the distance. We specifically love K-beauty sunscreens because many of these formulas are multitaskers that offer added benefits like hydration or redness correction on top of sun protection.

With that said, let's brush up on a few sunscreen-shopping tips before you buy. To pick a quality sunscreen that'll protect your skin from UV damage (whether it's a K-beauty product or not), opt for a label that boasts an SPF rating of at least 30, per the American Academy of Dermatology. But SPF only protects against UVB rays, so you'll want to look for broad-spectrum protection, which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. While most sunscreens you'll find at the drugstore usually say "broad-spectrum" on the label, things work a little differently with Korean sunscreens. They denote UVA protection with "PA++" on the label, and the more plus signs, the higher the UVA protection. So when it comes to Korean sunscreens, you'll want to make sure the label includes both SPF and PA for broad-spectrum coverage.

Read ahead the best Korean sunscreen brands you'll be slathering on all summer.

Meet Our Expert: Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City

1

Best Overall

MISSHA All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (3)Can double as a makeup primer
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (4)Budget-friendly
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (5)Runny formula

This sunscreen checks all the boxes: it boasts broad-spectrum protection, it's over the dermatologist-recommended SPF 30, it's water-resistant, and it's mineral-based. Plus, its silky smooth texture makes double as the perfect primer. The best part: with a price tag of under $25, it's pretty affordable, so it might just become your go-to all year round.

2

Best Budget

innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 36

Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (7)Doesn't leave a white cast
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (8)Budget-friendly
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (9)Chemical formula might not be suitable for sensitive skin

"This lightweight sunscreen absorbs quickly making it easy to apply every day," says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. It provides UVA and UVB protections, but we also love that it's budget-friendly (under $20) and widely available in many of our favorite stores, like Sephora, and online.

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3

Best Splurge

Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with Niacinamide and SPF 40

Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (11)High SPF rating
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (12)Provides natural coverage
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (13)Might be expensive for some budgets

You can replace your entire a.m. skincare routine with this all-in-one sunscreen from Dr.Jart+, a popular Seoul-founded brand. This doubles as a BB cream that hydrates with niacinamide and a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection.

4

Best Under Makeup

The History of Whoo Gongjinhyang Mi Essential Sun Base SPF 50/PA+++

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (15)Leaves a dewy glow
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (16)Contains hydrating ingredients
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (17)Not widely available

On its own, it leaves a luminous, dewy finish thanks to hydrating ingredients such as squalene. It also works wonderfully as a primer, so feel free to slather it on right before applying your favorite foundation.

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5

Best For Hydration

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (19)Hydrating formula
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (20)Light consistency
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (21)May irritate sensitive skin

This is another one of Dr. Garshick's favorites, since it "uses ceramides to support the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump." It gives you all the sun protection you need while also replenishing your skin's moisture levels.

6

Best For The Whole Body

make p:rem Defense Me Daily Vegan Sun Fluid

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (23)Lightweight, non-greasy formula
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (24)High broad-spectrum protection
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (25)Expensive for some budgets

Chuck make p:rem's broad-spectrum sunscreen in your tote bag next time you head to the beach. It features a combo of both physical and chemical sun blockers, so it goes on smoothly without leaving a harsh white cast, and wearers love that the formula is easy to spread and quick to absorb. The large five-ounce bottle makes it great to use from head to toe.

7

Best Mineral-Based

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ / PA++++

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (27)Suitable for sensitive skin
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (28)High broad-spectrum protection
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (29)May leave a white cast

This pick relies solely on zinc oxide, a mineral that protects your skin from the sun by blocking UV rays. Zinc is also better for sensitive skin than chemical sun blockers because it's less prone to irritation. But you might have to spend a few extra seconds rubbing this formula in to avoid a white cast.

8

Best For Redness and Sensitive Skin

Dr. Jart+ Cicapair ™ Tiger Grass Camo Drops Color Corrector SPF 35

Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (31)Contains color-correcting properties
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (32)Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (33)Expensive for some budgets

This is a miracle worker for sensitive skin. Its star ingredient is tiger grass, an anti-inflammatory medicinal plant used to treat a variety of skin conditions, per an April 2022 study in SkinMed. Its green-to-beige formula guarantees redness color correction, and it's armed with SPF 35 and broad-spectrum sunblock that's mineral-based, so it's safe for sensitive skin.

9

Best Organic Sunscreen

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics (SPF50+ PA++++)

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (35)Affordable
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (36)Absorbs and spreads easily
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (37)Small tube

"This sunscreen offers SPF 50 protection while combining niacinamide, grain-derived probiotics, and rice extract to nourish the skin," says Dr. Garshick. "It leaves the skin looking glowy and healthy."

10

Best Stick

Toboco Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (39)TSA-friendly
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (40)Easy to apply
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (41)Has a strong scent

This travel-friendly sunscreen stick is perfect for stashing in your purse and applying throughout the day. The stick formula means it's spill-proof, and it's super easy to apply on your face without getting your fingers messy.

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11

Best Spray

JM Solution Marine Luminous Pearl Sun Protection Sun Spray SPF50+PA++++

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (43)Won't get your palms greasy
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (44)Easy to apply
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (45)Sprays don't offer the best sun protection

We love this formula because it doesn't feel greasy or sticky after you apply it, but just be aware that unlike cream-based formulas, sunscreen sprays aren't always recommended by experts because a lot of the spray typically ends up in the air rather than on your skin.

12

Best For Dry Skin

DERMALOGY by NEOGENLAB UVA/UVB SPF50 Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen

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Pros
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (47)Contains moisturizing plant-based ingredients
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (48)Non-sticky, fast-absorbing formula
Cons
  • You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (49)Not water-resistant

Dry skin will soak up all the hydrating ingredients, such as aloe and avocado, in this formula. Aside from being super moisturizing, this sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and it's chemical-based so it won't leave a white cast.

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April Benshosan

Freelance Writer

April Benshosan is a New York City-based writer and editor. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Publishing from Pace University, and her byline appears on LIVESTRONG.com, Eat This, Not That!, Business Insider, MSN, Yahoo!, OK! Magazine, and Travel Squire. In her free time, you can catch April lifting weights, spending time with her pup, or planning her next vacation.

You'll Want To Take These Korean Sunscreens With You Everywhere This Summer (2025)

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