Reviewers Say This K-Sunscreen Stick Is a 'Smooth Dream' and 'Perfect' Over Makeup

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Like many K-beauty products, Korean sunscreens are known worldwide for innovative ingredients and gentle formulas for sensitive skin. They're touted as lightweight and breathable as well as less likely to leave behind a white cast or cause breakouts. Korean SPFs are also acclaimed for layering well under makeup and skincare, making them great everyday face sunscreens.

Often, the UV filters and active ingredients in K-beauty sunscreens are so cutting-edge that they have yet to receive FDA approval — though it's important to note that most have been tested and approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. As a result, scientists at the Good Housekeeping Institute Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab have only tested a small number of Korean sunscreens approved for use in the United States. But, the wealth of SPF knowledge we've acquired through testing hundreds of sun care products gives us a keen understanding of what makes a quality, effective formula.

We found the 11 best Korean sunscreens by consulting GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann, reviewing ingredient lists and vetting dozens of customer reviews, below. That includes chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens, sunscreen sticks and body sunscreens.

GH Beauty Lab note: None of the sunscreens recommended in this story contain the active ingredients octinoxate or oxybenzone, which are currently banned in Hawaii.

Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 36

Wizemann says Innisfree's Daily UV Defense Sunscreen feels "lightweight and hydrating" on the skin. More importantly, it provides broad-spectrum SPF 36 that protects against UVA and UVB rays. The water-based formula leaves a glowy finish instead of a white cast, making it a great first step in your everyday makeup routine. Ingredients like green tea extract, cica and sunflower seed oil help skin get the vitamins and fatty acids for all-day moisturization.

"I have very sensitive, acne-prone skin, and sunscreens can very easily make me break out or leave me with oily skin all day,"," one Amazon reviewer wrote. "This sunscreen did not make my skin react at all! It does not leave a white cast at all and blends into the skin easily. I put this on as the last step of my skin routine and it reacts well with my other products. I have also found that even though the container is small, my tube has lasted several months."

Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+

Priced under $15, Etude's Sunprise SPF 50 is one of the more affordable Korean sunscreens available in the U.S. — but don't let that fool you into thinking it's any less effective than higher-priced products. The lightweight face lotion relies on zinc oxide to reflect UV rays, so inherently, it's more prone to leaving a white cast than chemical-based formulas. Thankfully, reviewers say the milky consistency makes it easy to spread a thin, even layer that's invisible under makeup.

"It's my favorite SPF I’ve ever tried — my 'Goldilocks' SPF," one reviewer wrote. "It leaves a silky, natural matte finish... It wears flawlessly under makeup and doesn't irritate my eyes if I happen to rub them shortly after applying. I wear other SPFs for different purposes (waterproof for swimming, something more glowy sometimes in the summer, etc.), but I always come back to this Etude House SPF for everyday wear."

Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

This lightweight, everyday face sunscreen from Neogen Dermalogy features mineral and chemical actives, offering optimal UV protection with less chance of leaving a white cast. It's also formulated with more than 20 types of plant extracts that help soothe irritation, balance sebum production and provide long-lasting hydration. Formulated without alcohols, synthetic fragrances and artificial dyes, it's gentle enough for sensitive skin, too.

"It melts into your skin, leaving zero white cast, and doesn’t pill," an Amazon reviewer wrote. All to say, it works well under makeup and other skincare products.

The True Cream Aqua Bomb Sunscreen SPF 50

A Korean face sunscreen and moisturizer in one, belif's True Cream Aqua Bomb SPF 50 is great for streamlining your morning routine and ensuring daily sun protection. The formulation is a variation of the brand's top-rated Aqua Bomb face cream with antioxidant-packed additions like marigold extract and woodbine to help minimize fine lines and uneven skin texture caused by UV exposure.

"Belif sunscreen is next level as far as texture, thickness and scent," one Amazon reviewer wrote. "It doesn't have that sunscreen scent. It's not globby or greasy, leaves no residue, no pilling [and] has zero white cast." Layer the K-beauty brand's True Cream products together for more intense hydration.

Every Sun Day Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50+

GH Institute Beauty Lab testing found this Dr. Jart face sunscreen to be an excellent choice for oily, acne-prone skin. It received top marks for its breakout-free formula and shine-free finish, though some testers with darker skin tones found the mineral SPF ingredients did leave a slight white cast.

"My skin can sometimes be temperamental, and I had zero problems with this product," one tester shared. Others noted that they loved the light citrus scent and how it left their skin looking "smooth and matte."

Quick Sunstick Protection Bar SPF 50

Abib's Sunstick Protection Bar makes it easy to keep sun protection on you at all times, whether traveling or topping off before a sunny lunchtime stroll. Keep one tucked in your bag as a quick, convenient way to re-apply your sunscreen on the go. The gentle formula features soothing aloe vera and green tea extracts, moisturizing ceramides and UV-absorbing chemicals that offer broad-spectrum protection.

"This is my favorite sun stick of all time. I've only tried one other with zinc oxide before, and it was so chalky, crumbly and uneven — this one is a smooth dream and is perfect on top of makeup for reapplying," one Amazon reviewer wrote. "It blends in quickly and has no white cast or weird oily bits. I was apprehensive about the curve, but it actually hugs the face really well, especially around the nose and mouth area, which gets burned the most often."

Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50

Though the K-beauty brand COSRX is best known in the States for its celeb-loved snail mucin serum, we'll also be reaching for this affordable face sunscreen this summer. Formulated with vitamin E and broad-spectrum SPF 50, it boasts protection from UV damage and other environmental stressors that lead to premature signs of aging. Plus, it contains cotton extract and silica to control sebum production and potentially minimize breakouts.

Because it relies on chemical actives instead of minerals, it won't leave behind a white cast, even on melanin-rich skin. "I have dark tan skin and after applying, it feels just like [a] moisturizer," one Amazon reviewer said. "It feels hydrating and smooth on the skin with zero white cast and a nice smell. [It] hasn’t irritated my skin at all and sits great under makeup."

Everyday Sun Block SPF 50

Your face isn't the only body part where sun exposure can cause early signs of aging, which is why this SPF 50 Derma B Everyday Sun Block is designed to be slathered from head to toe. The consistency is thinner than other Korean sunscreens, making it easier to spread over your chest, arms and legs. Though it doesn't have the water resistance required for a day at the beach, it'll help minimize everyday UV damage without leaving behind a streaky white cast.

"It's thinner than most normal sunscreens and feels more like moisturizer. It goes on super easy because of that and doesn't feel thick on your face," one Amazon reviewer said. "It smells amazing, [unlike] most American sunscreen, so you can actually wear it every day and not smell like 'the beach'."

Sun Project Shimmer Sun Essence SPF 30

Searching for a face sunscreen that doubles as a makeup primer? Thank You Farmer's Shimmer Sun Essence is exactly what you want. The lightweight SPF 30 face sunscreen features a light pink, shimmery finish that gives you a natural-looking glow instead of a streaky white cast.

"It provides great protection, and even when worn under a foundation-type product, you can still see the glow it provides," one reviewer wrote. Hydrating and brightening ingredients like niacinamide, aloe vera and bamboo extract help maintain glowy looking-skin long after you wash the product off.

Daily SPF 32

If reef-safe ingredients are a requirement for you, reach for Cocokind's Daily SPF 32, which relies on zinc oxide instead of chemical sunscreen ingredients that can negatively impact the environment. The Asian beauty brand also formulated the sunscreen with blue phytoplankton and microalgae extract, which the brand claims to help decrease inflammation caused by environmental stressors like UV rays, blue light exposure and pollution.

Equally as importantly, Cocokind's Daily SPF feels lightweight and breathable. "[It] glides on so easy and blends well into the skin. There is no pilling even after re-applying throughout the day. Also super easy to pat on top of makeup without smudging what’s below," an online shopper said.

What to look for in a Korean sunscreen

Here are a few key factors to consider when selecting the right Korean sunscreen for your skin type and needs:

✔️ Broad spectrum protection: The Skin Cancer Foundation says that exposure to UVA rays "causes genetic damage to cells on the innermost part of your top layer of skin, where most skin cancers occur." Over time, it can "lead to premature aging and skin cancer." UVB rays, on the other hand, burn the outermost layers of the skin, causing sunburns and skin cell damage. The FDA recommends using sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA rays and UVB rays.

✔️ SPF: "For optimal sun protection, we recommend using sunscreens with SPF 35 or higher," says Wizemann. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also recommends using SPF 30 or higher.

✔️ Active Ingredient Type: You'll also need to determine if you're looking for a chemical sunscreen or a mineral sunscreen (though many Korean SPFs feature a combination of the two). Both types offer effective sun protection, but according to Wizemann, "mineral-based sunscreens are more likely to leave a white cast, so blending them into the skin may take longer. Additionally, they can become more noticeable when exposed to water or sweat."

• Mineral sunscreens contain mineral ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect UV light off the skin.

• Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients such as avobenzone and homosalate that absorb UV light. When it comes to face sunscreen, Wizemann prefers chemical formulas over mineral because "they layer better with other skincare and do not feel heavy on the skin."

✔️ Skin type: More often than not, Korean sunscreens are formulated with skincare ingredients commonly seen in moisturizers and serums. If you've got oily or acne-prone skin, look for lightweight, non-greasy sunscreens with oil-absorbing ingredients like silica. Those with dry skin should keep an eye out for dimethicone, glycerin and ceramides.

Why is Korean sunscreen better?

Korean sunscreens are not necessarily better or worse than American sunscreens, but they are a bit different. They are often formulated with ingredients that offer additional skincare benefits, meaning they can double as your morning moisturizer or makeup primer. Plus, products are often targeted towards a specific skin type, such as dry, sensitive or acne-prone.

"K-sunscreens are usually characterized by being lightweight, easier to spread and do not leave a white cast, especially when compared to mineral-based formulas in the U.S.," says Wizemann. She notes that many Korean sunscreens incorporate chemical UV filters that are not FDA-approved and have not been tested by the GH Institute Beauty Lab. Since the FDA regulates sunscreen as a drug, not a cosmetic, you'll see many Korean skincare products with SPF labeled as suncare instead of sunscreen.

Another key distinction: Most Korean sunscreens are not water-resistant because these ingredients can irritate sensitive skin and clog pores. That means K-sunscreens are better suited for everyday wear than for swimming and sweaty outdoor activities — and that you'll need to be even more diligent about reapplying every two hours (the AAD's recommended frequency for all sunscreens) for optimal protection outdoors.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

GH Institute Beauty Lab director Sabina Wizemann, who conducts product testing across all skincare categories and has overseen large consumer studies for over a decade, contributed her expertise to this article. Wizemann is highly knowledgeable about face and body sunscreens, including both chemical and mineral formulas.

This Korean sunscreen guide was written by Hearst Magazines commerce writer Sarah Maberry, who has more than four years of experience researching and trying beauty products, including dozens of sunscreens and Korean skincare products. Her picks for the best Korean sunscreen were based on market research, customer reviews and insights from experts at the GH Institute.

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