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SPF as a daily requisite is stressed by dermatologists around the world but is ingrained into K-beauty practices.
In South Korea, skincare is ritualistic, and complexion protection is of the utmost importance. The country is a bellwether of innovation and that extends to the expansive selection of sun-shielding formulas. Dr Jinah Yoo, Consultant Dermatologist at Maylin x Dr Jinah Yoo explains, “Korean skincare is often defined by hydrated, dewy, plump skin, and has gained popularity globally due to formulation and innovative ingredient use, affordability and aesthetically pleasing packaging”.
She continues, “It has become synonymous with skin health, due to the results-driven formulations that generally don't disrupt the acid mantle, instead focusing on barrier support, meaning skin is never stripped or over exfoliated - the key to maintaining bouncy looking, and happy and healthy feeling skin”.
Broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays is guaranteed but these are not the laborious, thick sunscreens that leave a white cast that once dominated the UK market. In SPF 50 PA+++ and higher, Korean suncare products have lightweight serum-like textures, are infused with skin-loving and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica and can be slipped into your AM routine with ease thanks to non-greasy finishes and their ability to layer under makeup.
Dr Yoo explains, “In Korea, sun protection is a key cornerstone of skincare routines, with a strong cultural emphasis on maintaining youthful skin. This cultural focus drives continuous innovation and high consumer demand for effective sunscreens, meaning they use more advanced, next-gen UV filters compared to ones developed in the West, and there are rigorous testing standards”.
The idea is that you are treating your skin with nourishing and anti-ageing ingredients to improve skin health, while shielding against further damage from environmental stressors.
What differentiates Korean SPF?
According to Dr Yoo, “Korean sunscreens often include a PA rating (Protection Grade of UVA), which indicates the level of UVA protection and is more specific than Western methods of grading. In addition, Korean sunscreens are known for their minimal or no white cast and weightless texture, making them more appealing to a wider range of skin tones, and their absorbency is second to none”.
What ingredients should you look out for?
Diving into the world of Korean skincare, you will notice the same ingredients popping up. Dr Yoo says these are the hallmarks of K-beauty formulations. “You will often spot Centella Asiatica, commonly known as "cica" or "gotu kola”, ginseng, green tea, niacinamide, and rice and pearl extract. All are staples in Korean formulas due to their healing, calming and skin-nourishing properties. When looking at SPF filters, try to look out for Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, and Uvinul A Plus”.
What ingredients should you avoid?
According to the dermatologist, “Fragrances, preservatives, or chemical UV filters can sometimes cause redness and irritation in the skin, and even essential oils and naturally derived ingredients can sometimes irritate. Watch out for UV filters Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, and octisalate if shopping for SPF”.
Shop the best Korean SPFs below
PURITO Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen Renewer 60ml
Gentle and lightweight, this sunscreen from PURITO is made for those prone to sensitivities, but all skin types can maximise its high protection, ceramide-rich formula. There are five varieties of the latter component that nourish the skin and hydrate, especially when set alongside Centella Asiatica extract as it is in the Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen Renewer. The highly moisturising product is a treat to parched complexions but application does not feel heavy or overly rich so it can take you from the beach to the office, layering easily under makeup.
Buy now £20.72, lookfantastic
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum (50ml) Lightweight SPF 50+ PA++++
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This is one of the bestselling and most popular Korean SPFs on the market - and with one squeeze of its hydrating, high-protection formula, it is no surprise why. You don’t really need to add any additional moisturiser when applying this sun serum from SKIN1004, it is highly nourishing, harnessing the power of both hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica to plump, hydrate and soothe. It is packed with antioxidants to enhance its protective nature from external aggressors - including sprout extracts from rocket, green tea and broccoli. The lightweight texture can be used by all skin types, and you can’t beat that price tag.
Buy now £14.17, Amazon
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum
A cult brand among those in the know, Beauty of Joseon’s sun serum is so easily layerable that many of its fans use it double duty as a primer too, locking makeup in place while protecting against UVA and UVB rays. It’s a gel consistency that is lightweight (s all good serums should be). The star ingredient is the named ginseng, a component that is considered an important herbal medicine known as Shincho, which translates to ‘herb from the gods’. It is renowned for its long-lasting hydration and is set alongside niacinamide to balance sebum, brighten pigmentation and smooth out uneven texture.
Honourable mention too goes to the beloved Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun that contains rice extract and a grain probiotics complex.
Buy now £20.08, Amazon
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Skin Relief Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
South Korean label Thank You Farmer was created to cut through the beauty noise. Forget over complicated formulations and long lists of ingredients that no one has heard of, the label instead prioritises natural and farm-grown ingredients, all in a bid to delay the skin’s ageing process. Its own 8-Relieful Complex is at the heart of the Sun Project Skin Relief Sun Cream and contains eight elements like chia seed, honeysuckle and liquorice root extracts that calm inflammation, enrich the complexion with antioxidants and are all plant-based. Gentle on the skin, while packing powerful UV protection, it is a lightweight, non-greasy product that melts into the skin.
Buy now £22.00, Cult Beauty
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50 50ml
The lightweight gel texture of Isntree’s cult favourite SPF50 makes it ideal for acne-prone and oily skin types. The thin consistency deceives the high-factor protection and is easily spread and absorbed across the complexion. When applied, it has a mattifying effect without leaving white casts behind. Instead, the addition of eight varieties of the hydration hero hyaluronic acid and soothing Centella Asiatica fortifies the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Buy now £17.99, Superdrug
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sunscreen SPF50 PA+++
To maximise the protective coverage, you will generally find Korean SPFs with PA++++ (that’s a strong coverage, shielding against up to 95 per cent of filters). The COSRX has only three of the pluses, which should still work for around eight to 12 hours, but is something to keep in mind. The sunscreen calls on the power of aloe, an ingredient long included in aftersun for its redness-calming properties. This sun shielder coats the skin with much-needed hydration with a soothing and refreshing effect. The aloe also accounts for the fresh aroma. It doesn’t layer great under makeup so save for your fresh-faced days.
Buy now £17.61, lookfantastic
IUNIK Centella Calming Vegan Moisture SPF 50+ PA++++
The silky smooth Centella-enriched IUNIK sunscreen melts into the skin as you coat your complexion. While intensely nourishing, the moisturising PA++++ formula remains lightweight and non-greasy - but it still offers a glowy finish. There is no fragrance so it works well for those irritated by the inclusion of scent and is vegan, naturally derived and cruelty-free. Alongside Centella is beta-glucan that, much like the aforementioned, is nourishing for the skin, soothing and hydrating.
Buy now £9.57, Amazon
numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence
More skincare than your traditional laborious SPFs that leave a white cast, the numbuzin Sun Essence has a light water consistency. While still offering 10 hours of sun-shielding, the formulation reads more like a soothing serum with its herbaceous ingredient line-up. These include Centella Asiatica extract, heartleaf extract and liquorice root water that combine to calm stressed-out skin, feel featherlight on the skin and absorb easily. It is free from fragrance or artificial colouring and you can wear under makeup.
Buy now £15.20, Amazon
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+/PA++++
Rice bran oil and black rice are the main ingredients in the Haruharu Wonder formula. These powerhouses were selected for their antioxidant properties, hydration and glowy effect - three properties that have earned it its stellar reputation. Gliding onto the skin, it leaves dewy radiance in its wake, without feeling greasy or sticky. The sunscreen is also vegan and reef-friendly.
Buy now £14.96, Amazon
Dr Jart+ BB Premium Beauty Balm SPF50
Just one pump of the Dr Jart+ newly launched BB cream is all you need for good coverage across the complexion. The brand, known for its innovative colour-correcting products, has knocked it out of the park with this latest formulation that puts niacinamide at the heart to give you a makeup-skincare hybrid product with buildable coverage. The creamy texture glides across the skin, evening out the complexion and leaving a flawless filter-like finish.
Buy now £37.00, Cult Beauty
