Anyone who’s looked at a beauty blog in the last year or two would’ve seen the hype about K beauty, and one thing that’s always gonna be important is SPF. We’ve got all the info you need to know about why it’s so hyped and what the best Korean sunscreen is.
What purpose does sunscreen have in a K beauty skincare routine?
SPF is the last step in a 10-step Korean skincare routine. After you’ve cleansed (multiple times), toned and moisturise, the concept is to simultaneously lock in the good ingredients you’ve just applied and protect your skin against the ageing factors of sun exposure.
Although lots of sunscreens are a cream formula, this step would not replace your normal moisturiser. Moisturiser is the penultimate step which helps to lock in the previous steps whilst providing hydration for the epidermis (AKA: top layers of your skin). In contrast, Sunscreen will focus on blocking UVA and UVB light rather than hydrating your skin.
The addition of sunscreen tends to be the biggest differentiation between Korean skincare routines and Western ones.
What’s the difference between Western and Korean Sunscreen?
First things first, forget the goopy opaque sunscreen you used to use a kid, Koreans have officially changed the game. From lightweight gels to effective mists, the best Korean sunscreen can be applied under makeup or layered on top, without you even being able to tell.
Korean dermatologists and scientists are also pretty speedy at bringing new ingredients to market, much quicker than their Western counterparts who have to go through years of testing to make sure it’s safe for us to use (so it’s not all bad!).
Traditionally, SPF creams will be so-named as they protect from UVB rays, however Korean sunscreen will also focus on UVA (more info on this in our SPF guide). If your K beauty mentions PA, this means it’s working on filtering out the harm of UVA rays, with PA++++ being the highest factor.
Best Korean Sunscreen
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£27.90 Buy now with HQhair SKIN79 THE ORIENTAL MOIST SUN BB PACT
Buy now with free deliverySPF: 25
PA: PA++
Not just an SPF, this Skin79 sunscreen is also a BB Cream. Nailing both sun protection and coverage in one, this light coverage base will be great for those who are after a minimal makeup routine, or after something a bit lighter in the summer months.
A finely milled powder, this compact is great for touchups throughout the day, and leaves you with a matte finish. And it’s an extra af addition to your beauty collection.
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£24.90 Buy now with HQhair SKIN79 JAMSU CUSHION FACE POWDER SPF50+ PA+++ #21
Buy now with free deliverySPF: 50+
PA: PA+++
One of the best Korean SPF powders, Skin79’s Jamsu Cushion Face Powder is also the product with the (joint) highest SPF on our lineup.
“Jamsu” translates from Korean as “submerge”, and you might’ve seen the jamsu K beauty trend doing the rounds on YouTube. You basically apply foundation and powder, then submerge your face in cold water, thereby “sealing” your foundation for a flawless matter finish. Although you won’t need a tub of water for this, Skin79’s Jamsu Powder harnesses both water and powder to recreate the effect.
Imagine this as an ultra-hydrating option, which still leaves you with a matte finish.
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£18.00 Buy now with HQhair COSRX ALOE SOOTHING SPF50 PA+++ SUN CREAM
Buy now with free deliverySPF: 50
PA: PA+++
A quick-to-absorb formulation, CosRX‘s Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is a great option for no makeup days. Completely sheer, this Korean sunscreen doesn’t include pigment so don’t expect this to replace your foundation.
We love the aloe vera formulation, meaning it’s soothing and super hydrating, perfect for use all year.
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£22.00 Buy now with HQhair SKIN79 GLOW FOUNDATION SPF37 PA+++ #23
Buy now with free deliverySPF: 37
PA: PA+++
A replacement for your normal foundation, Skin79 have developed a lightweight yet buildable foundation enriched with Avocado Oil, Niacinamide and Allantoin. These all work together to create a base that’s longlasting, brightening and hydrating.
Only available in one shade, opt for this one if you’re after a base which is a natural beige with yellow undertones.
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£28.90 Buy now with HQhair SKIN79 SUPER PLUS BEBLESH BALM SPF40 PA+++ PURPLE
Buy now with free deliverySPF: 40
PA: PA+++
Another BB Cream to make the list, this Super Plus Beblesh Balm is a triple threat, it: brightens, smooths and protects skin.
Using both Hyaluronic Acid and Celtic Water, expect skin to stay hydrated whilst White Sapphire Powder helps to work on anti-ageing. Plus, with both UVA and UVB protection, you know this BB Cream’s gonna help your skin as much as poss.
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£19.90 Buy now with HQhair SKIN79 FACE SHINE CC CREAM SPF40 PA+++
Buy now with free deliverySPF: 40
PA: PA+++
Last on our list, and also the first CC Cream, we’re obsessed with the Skin79 Face Shine CC Cream. It will cover slight blemishes but rather than it being a heavy base, this Korean sunscreen focuses on correcting colour and evening skintone.
This is gonna be your go-to product for brightening skin, so expect a super dewy finish.
Now you’re clued up on the best Korean sunscreen, it’s time to up your SPF
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Plus, there’s plenty more where that came from. Read our other sunscreen guides here
