Everyone Is Talking About Korean Sunscreen, But Do You Actually Need One? (2025)

Too often, sunscreen can feel like vitamins or chores—we know we gotta, but we're not relishing the experience. Chalky, hard-to-blend, never-quite-absorbed sunscreens will do that to you. But what if you were to find a formula that feels wonderful and makes your skin look gorgeous? That would change everything. For more and more of us, Korean sunscreens are the formulas that have done that. In fact, many social media users feel that these elegant formulas are superior to Western options and rave about how great they feel and look on the skin, leaving no white cast on *any* skin tones. The world of Korean skincare and its ability to create "glass skin" is buzzing, and sunscreen is a big part of it. But are Korean sunscreens truly superior? Keep reading.

What's the difference between Korean sunscreen and American SPFs?

"One of the main differences between Korean and Western sunscreens is that there are more advancements and innovations in UV filters in Korea," says Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam and Then I Met You skincare. Korean UV filters don't have FDA approval, so they can't be used in skincare formulas here. Unlike Asian and European countries, which categorize sunscreen as a cosmetic, the United States considers sunscreen a drug since it makes the medical claim that it prevents skin cancer. This means that US sunscreens can only use FDA-approved ingredients, and there haven't been any new UV filters in the United States since the 1990s.

"The advancement of chemical UV filters in Korea help to make sunscreen textures very lightweight and transparent, so they work especially well under makeup," says Cho. "They're also often infused with ingredients to help protect the skin barrier, deeply moisturize, and prevent premature aging." (To be fair, a lot of US-formulated sunscreens do this, too.)

Can I buy Korean sunscreen in the United States?

Ok, so Korea has exceptional sunscreens. But can we actually get our hands on those in the United States? Not exactly. The Korean formulations sold here in the US don't contain the same ingredients (namely the advanced UV filters) in order to comply with our FDA standards. However, Cho explains that they do have a similar feel and experience to their Korean counterparts even though they rely on the chemical or mineral filters we have in the US.

While you may have heard of ways to buy Korean SPF from overseas retailers, Cho warns that those may come from unauthorized retailers and can be counterfeit, meaning there's no way to know what's exactly in them and if you're getting the necessary protection. "Stick to trusted sources like the brand's websites or reputable stores like Soko Glam and Sephora," says Cho. Make sure to triple-check when purchasing from any platform that offers third-party sellers, like Amazon or Walmart. If it isn't being sold from the brand's verified storefront, it "can make it difficult to verify authenticity."

As inquiring beauty editors, we got our hands on dozens of K-beauty sunscreens and we do find many of them especially lightweight and radiant. Here are reviews of our favorites.

Say hello to the K-Beauty sunscreen that won our hearts at the Oprah Daily HQ. It's suitable for all skin types because it's ultra-moisturizing (perfect for dry and mature skin), but it still feels very light and comfortable for those who are more oily or have combination skin. "The texture is like a moisturizer, and it leaves behind a beautiful glowing finish," says Oprah Daily beauty editor Genesis Rivas. While it comes out white, it blends effortlessly into all skin tones without harsh rubbing. Justine Anthony, an Oprah Daily market editor with combination and acne-prone skin, says it's one of her go-to's as well.

Beauty of Joseon Daily Sun Relief Sunscreen might be the K-beauty SPF that started it all. One search of this sunscreen on TikTok will give you thousands of videos with millions of views and likes. Users, including Oprah Daily beauty director Kate Sandoval Box, are obsessed with its deliciously dewy finish and easy-to-blend formula. "I ask every dermatologist I meet which sunscreen they use, and this brand comes up a lot," she says. "While I'd love to get my hands on the Korean formula if I'm overseas, I am thrilled with this new tinted version that's available in the US; for a mineral sunscreen, it's incredibly easy to blend." Available in 12 shades, this 100 percent mineral sunscreen feels very moisturizing but also contains oil-control properties, creating a natural satin finish on the skin.

A lot of K-beauty sunscreens offer a glowy finish. However, if you're looking for something that won't make your oily skin look more oily, this silky sunscreen is for you. It gives a natural matte finish that doesn't look or feel dry. In fact, the thin, milky texture feels like a lightweight moisturizing serum as you blend it into the skin. The formula contains additional skin-benefitting ingredients, like sunflower and baobab seed oils and soothing aloe vera leaf extract. "I'm not usually a matte girlie, so I was surprised that I liked this formula," says Rivas. "But it's not overly matte. It still makes my skin look fresh."

It doesn't get better than a sunscreen that's both budget-friendly and beautiful on the skin. This CosRX pick is incredibly light and sheer. It's also super hydrating and feels refreshing as you work it into the skin. The finish isn't ultra-glowy, but your skin will still look radiant and fresh-faced. The formula contains soothing ingredients like aloe leaf water, niacinamide, and witch hazel, so it's great for sensitive, redness-prone, or acne-prone skin.

Sulwhasoo brings luxury to K-beauty, and this sunscreen is no different. It's a creamy, moisturizing formula that contains a blend of herbs to nourish and balance the skin. It also features Korean white ginseng, which is rich in antioxidants and protects the skin from external aggressors. "I love the super dewy finish this gives my skin," says Rivas. "It layers beautifully under makeup, too." Note: The finish is very radiant and can lean a little greasy if you have combination skin, so it's best for dry and mature skin types.

This K-beauty sunscreen (which contains a white truffle from Italy to help minimize dark marks) practically doubles as a highlighter; it makes skin luminous without emphasizing fine lines, wrinkles, or texture. In fact, we'd go as far as saying that it makes you look like you're glowing from within. It's as lightweight as a serum, so it layers on top of the rest of your skincare easily, and makeup glides over it without any pilling or patchiness. Plus, it blends in with all skin tones and is hydrating.

Here's another SPF that ranks high on our list because it checks off all the boxes. It's great for all skin types, protects skin thanks to antioxidant-rich beet root extract, feels hydrating but not greasy, and there's no white cast in sight. "Every time I try to venture to a different sunscreen, I always come back to this one since it's been so good for my sensitive, acne-prone skin," says Anthony. "It’s lightweight yet hydrating and my skin never feels clogged or greasy."

Cho recommends this option from her brand. She says it's a hydrating chemical sunscreen that feels like a skincare essence; it blends seamlessly into the skin with no white cast. "Infused with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and fermented ingredients, it nourishes while providing broad-spectrum protection, making it perfect for daily wear." It's thicker than other K-beauty sunscreens but still very lightweight, making it a great (and moisturizing!) choice for dry and mature skin types.

If you have sensitive skin, you'll appreciate the soothing properties of this SPF serum. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin-calming Centella Asiatica, and a blend of antioxidant-rich ingredients, like arugula leaf, green tea, and broccoli extracts, to help protect and improve the skin's appearance. "This is one of my tried and true favorites," says Anthony. "I keep it in my rotation because it’s fragrance-free, non-sticky, and absorbs quickly into my skin. I forget it’s even on!"

If you like your sunscreen to double as a moisturizer, then you'll love this pick. It's not as lightweight as other K-beauty sunscreens we've tried, but it's perfect for those with dry or mature skin looking for long-lasting moisture that plumps the skin. It contains soothing Centella Asiatica, hydrating glycerin, and hydro-ionized mineral water. Think of it as a tall glass of water for dull, dry skin.

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with skincare experts to learn all about what to look for in a sunscreen and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best picks.