STYLE

K-beauty: glowy, healthy and satisfying for your skin. Multiple Korean sunscreens have recently gone viral all over the internet for the greatest of qualities you can ask for in any beauty product. Ever. As chemical sunscreens, they leave NO white cast, hydrate your face and contain ingredients that will benefit skin of any type and texture.

Here are the best K-beauty sunscreens you should check out ASAP. Trust, they'll make you *want* to apply your sunscreen every single day of the year (which you should be doing).

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics

Beauty of Joseon, $18

In the past year, the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun took the internet by storm for its lightweight formula and ability to feel like a watery moisturizer. Mindblowing! 

The product contains SPF 50+ PA++++ protection and 30% rice extract (a classic Asian beauty secret for, literally, ages). It for sure will give your skin such a healthy boost of vitamins. And for girlies sensitive to scents, this product is also fragrance-free and does not even give off that uncomfortable smell of sunscreen.

ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel

ISNTREE, $26.50

Hyaluronic acid, which helps retain moisture in your skin, is a common ingredient found in many serums and moisturizers. This ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel contains eight types of it to make your skin feel nourished, so its hydrating formula will effortlessly blend into your skin—dry or oily—and give that SPF 50+ PA++++ protection anytime. Plus, it contains centella asiatica extract, ceramide, fig fruit extract and astaxanthin (AKA skin-soothing ingredients).

The product is also designed to be cooling to the face—perfect for the summer heat.

innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen

innisfree, $16

This innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen is a fantastic choice for your everyday skincare game. Made with sunflower seed oil, cica and green tea, it'll give your skin a stunning finish and nurture it in the process. Finally, this product is SPF 36, a great level for everyday protection (dermatologists generally recommend SPF 30 or higher).

And...it's also approved by former GL cover gal, HSMTMS star and our bestie, Sofia Wylie!

SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum

SKIN1004, $19

A sunscreen in serum form? We're speechless.

This SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum has a smooth, watery consistency that glides beautifully onto the skin— ou'll pretty much forget that this dewy product is sunscreen. It contains a sun protection level of SPF 50+ PA++++, fighting strongly against those harmful UV rays while being formulated with hyaluronic acids and Madagascar centella. With these ingredients, you can count on it to hydrate and heal your skin.

@imhannahcho firmly believe that this sunscreen is really AWESOME from @SKIN1004 Global Official it doesn't even feel like a sunscreen at all! #skin1004partner #koreanskincare #kbeauty #sunscreenreview ♬ original sound - hannah cho

ROUND LAB Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen

ROUND LAB, $28

This ROUND LAB Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen is *incredibly* popular in South Korea. Its inclusion of birch tree sap purifies the skin and reduces inflammation while also providing sun protection of SPF 50+ PA++++. This sunscreen performs a double role as a moisturizer—its amino acids, birch tree sap and minerals help the skin barrier with keeping hydration in.

OK, can we take a moment to talk about how all of these sunscreens are taking such ah-mazing skincare ingredients to nourish the skin while also protecting against the sun? We are obssessed.

@skincupid You all loved hearing about the skincare products that are popular in Korea so here are some of the iconic sunscreens trending in 🇰🇷 💓 Available at: www.skincupid.co.uk 🤍 ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ (50ml) This award-winning 2-in-1 moisturiser and sunscreen is one of K-beauty’s most sought after products (and a highly requested one at Skin Cupid)! It contains a whopping 74 natural derived minerals from the deep sea waters of Ulleungdo Island which helps keep the skin hydrated, nourished, and filled with moisture. It also has Niacinamide that brightens and evens skin tone and Adenosine that targets signs of aging. Alcohol-free and artificial fragrance-free, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin too! 🤍 DR G Green Mild Up Sun SPF50+ PA++++ (50ml) The best-seller mild physical sunscreen sold once in 15 seconds and won 6 beauty awards in Korea! Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful sun rays (UVA&UVB), blue light, infrared light, and pollution. The gentle essence formula contains hyaluronic acid, provitamin D, and pycnogenol that hydrate and keep the moisture level, as well as protect the skin from stressors and radicals. With added Centella Asiatica and Mugwort Extract, it also soothes inflammations and redness. The lightweight and non-greasy texture is easy to apply and quickly absorbed by the skin, leaving a natural finish. The product is also friendly to the ocean with a formula that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients to coral. It may leave a slight white cast but is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. This product passed clinical and hypoallergenic tests. #koreansunscreen #trendingskincare #roundlab #kbeautysunscreen #drgmildsunupplus #drgsunscreen #koreanskincare ♬ FLOWER - JISOO

TOCOBO Bio Watery Sun Cream 

TOCOBO, $20

With one of the most watery formulas you will ever encounter, this Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream basically *melts* into your skin. Its texture is very much like that of a serum, so it's def one of the easiest sunscreens to apply. This vegan SPF 50+ PA++++ sunscreen will also leave you with that gorgeous glow with its moisturizing factors and naturally derived ingredients. You know it will hydrate your skin through its bio hyaluronic acid formulation, too.

Don't forget to be generous with your sunscreen. Follow the two-to-three finger lengths rule and apply it all over your face, neck and behind your ears. With these awesome Korean sunscreens, you don't need to worry about the super pale white cast many mineral sunscreens offer, and you can trust that the ingredients of these products will nourish your skin.

Many of these mentioned Korean beauty brands also sell sun sticks and other forms of sun protection, so be sure to check them out and remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours!

@noodle.zip

Tag us in your fave K-beauty looks on Instagram @girlslifemag!

Check out more of our best skincare tips here:
🧴 Our fave vitamin C serums to boost your summer glow
🧴 Here's the simplest skincare routine for the busiest girls
🧴 Everything you need to know about your skin barrier

Slider image: @haley0n
Top image: @_yujin_an

by Lucy Ke | 7/16/2023