Rating All The Korean Sunscreens I Own: Which Comes Out On Top?

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Sunscreen is a constant in my skincare routine and, since I wear it day in and day out, I thought I might as well find one that I truly love. I’ve tried various sunscreens over the years and while there have been many that I’ve liked, there have also been plenty that just haven’t worked for me.

I tend to favour Korean sunscreen formulas, simply because they are so lightweight and breathable – most don’t even feel like sunscreens at all! Having tested a bunch out over the past year, I’ve finally managed to get my thoughts down in this 2023 sunscreen round-up.

I haven’t gone into depth about ingredients – this post would be really long if I did! But if you’re interested in finding out more about a particular sunscreen, I have written individual review posts on many of these products.

Without further ado, here are my thoughts on all the Korean sunscreens I currently own. Keep reading to find out which I think is the best and which sunscreens I wouldn’t repurchase.

N.B. I have very sensitive eyes which are easily irritated by certain sunscreen filters and fragrance. Just because some of these sunscreens make my eyes water doesn’t mean that they’ll do the same for you, but I would recommend checking the ingredients list before buying in case you notice any ingredients your skin or your eyes might be sensitive to.

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream 6/10

The COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream was the first Korean sunscreen I ever tried and I really liked it at the time, but have since discovered other formulas that I much prefer!

First, the positives. I’m usually not a fragrance fan but I love the scent of this. It’s light and fresh, and fortunately doesn’t cause any eye stinging. Also, the creamy texture of this sunscreen makes it feel really calming and nourishing. You could definitely use it in place of a moisturiser if you have oily skin.

Unfortunately, though, this product pills a lot (which is why I can’t give it a higher score). I’ve tried changing my moisturiser (and other skincare products) to see if this makes a difference but it still rolls up and flakes off, so I don’t really use this sunscreen unless I’m staying at home.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum* 10/10

With it’s lightweight texture and non-irritating formula, the SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Sun Serum is easily my favourite sun cream I’ve tried so far. It’s dewy but not so much so that my skin looks oily, and it feels hydrating enough to wear without moisturiser.

If you have acne-prone skin, you’ll know how difficult it is to find a sunscreen that doesn’t cause breakouts, and this one manages it! It’s free from fragrance and essential oils, leaves no white cast and is also extremely breathable. I don’t know how to explain it but it just doesn’t feel like your typical sunscreen!

It doesn’t pill and layers well with other skincare and makeup products. Oh, and I can’t forget the pump dispenser which makes it easy to control how much product you’re applying. Honestly, it’s a dream to use!

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream 9/10

This one comes pretty close to the SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Sun Serum, but I had to knock one point off because it’s just so expensive to buy outside of Korea. I get through sunscreens quite quickly and I don’t think I can justify spending £25 each time I need a new one!

The Round Lab sun cream is moisturising and non-sticky, so it feels really comfortable on the skin. Like the SKIN1004 one, it just feels like a lightweight lotion rather than a sunscreen – though I’d say the Round Lab cream is maybe a tiny bit thicker.

This blends into the skin in seconds and sits well under makeup. I don’t get any eye stinging with this one either!

Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream* 8/10

Anua’s Heartleaf Toner is considered the standout product from the Heartleaf line, but I really think the sunscreen deserves more attention. The formula is just as elegant as the SKIN1004 and Beauty of Joseon sun creams, I just think the Anua one is a little less dewy – perfect for combination to oily skin!

The only reason I don’t wear it as often as other sunscreens on this list is because it leaves my eyes feeling a bit tired and watery by the end of the day. I wouldn’t necessarily say it stings, but my eyes definitely don’t feel as comfortable wearing this as they do the SKIN1004, Round Lab or Beauty of Joseon sunscreens for instance.

Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick* 6.5/10

I’m not a massive lover of sunscreen sticks which is why the rating of this Tocobo Sun Stick is lower than many of the cream formulas on this list. Having said that, I still think it’s one of nicest sun sticks I’ve tried!

Because it contains silicones, it leaves a silky, satin finish which would definitely suit oily skin. I personally like a bit more dewiness but I know this is hard to achieve with a sunscreen stick!

It’s slightly fragranced but not overpowering, and the scent fades pretty quickly when it’s on the skin. The only thing I don’t like is that this feels a little chalky to the touch (because of the silicones). It doesn’t really absorb into the skin (like sun creams do) but rather sits on top.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics 9.5/10

This Beauty of Joseon sunscreen went super viral this year and it’s not hard to see why. Like the SKIN1004 and Round Lab sunscreens, this is an ultra-light lotion-like formula which absorbs really quickly.

It doesn’t contain fragrance and doesn’t sting my eyes. It’s also really reasonably priced, which is partly why I think it became so popular. Honestly, for £16 you can’t really go wrong!

I’d like it to be a tiny bit more moisturising but, with a good moisturiser underneath, this ticks all my boxes. It’s one of those products I fall back on when I’ve got somewhere important to be because I know it’ll last all day and won’t irritate my skin.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel 7.5/10

I can appreciate a good sunscreen formula and this Isntree sunscreen is incredible in terms of texture and moisturising power. However, this makes my eyes water so much… and I’m not sure why! It doesn’t contain any fragrance so I can only assume it’s one of the UV filters, which is such a shame.

This has a gel-type consistency which sinks into the skin like water. And the finish is really beautiful – it’s not sticky, slightly dewy and there’s no white cast.

The fact that this sunscreen contains eight types of hyaluronic acid also means that it leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated.

This scores points in so many ways, and I would use it more often if I could, I just can’t put it anywhere near my eyes!

SoonJung X Director’s Moisture Sun Cream 8.5/10

This is a true hidden gem. I see barely anyone talk about the SoonJung X Director’s Moisture Sun Cream but it’s SO good!

It has that popular lotion-like consistency which blends really easily and sets without leaving a sticky film on the skin. It’s also free from fragrance, alcohol and essential oils, so it’s a solid choice for those with sensitive skin.

For me, this has such a lovely skin-like finish. It’s not too dewy and it’s not too matte – I think it would be great for all skin types. This could be a tiny bit more hydrating – I definitely notice more skincare benefits from other sunscreens – but it’s a really nice product nonetheless.

The only thing I’m not keen on is the flip cap. It makes it pretty difficult to get the product out. But the formula itself is good enough to redeem it, hence the 8.5 stars!

Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream* 7/10

I can see why the Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream is so popular amongst those with dry skin – the finish is very bright and dewy. But for those with combination or oily skin, this formula is probably a no-go. I like a dewy finish but I do sometimes struggle to keep the dewiness under control with this sunscreen (even with a powder over the top).

When it comes to texture, though, this is a top tier product. It feels very light and hydrating, in an almost moisturiser-like way. It’s just that the shine is a bit too much for me!

It also does sting my eyes a little, not always but I don’t tend to reach for this one as much because of it.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream* 6/10

Frankly speaking, this is my least favourite SKIN1004 sunscreen out of the two that I’ve tried. That’s not to say this one is bad, I just don’t think it’s as suited to daily wear as the Hyalu-Cica sun serum is!

The main draw of the Air-Fit Suncream is that it has redness-reducing properties. Sort of like the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Treatment, this sunscreen helps to even out skin tone and conceal blemishes (to a certain extent).

The downside of this is that it can end up looking a bit grey on the skin, so I usually only wear this sunscreen if I’m applying makeup on top.

That aside, I do quite like this for a physical sunscreen formula – chemical sunscreens are usually my preference (if you hadn’t noticed 😆). It’s not too heavy, blends nicely and leaves a soft, non-tacky finish.

Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick Mugwort + Camelia* 4/10

As I mentioned before, I don’t really enjoy using sunscreen sticks… but they do come in handy for reapplication so I often keep one in my bag (just in case). Unfortunately though, I’m not really a fan of this formula so this sun stick usually gets left at home.

In fairness, it could just be that this product is not suited to my skin type – my skin leans dry and this is targeted at oily skin. But I do also wonder whether oily skin types enjoy this finish! It’s very satiny (because of the silicone content), almost verging on waxy.

For me, it feels quite occlusive on the skin (though I’m not sure it actually is!). I just prefer lighter, more breathable formulas so this wouldn’t be a repurchase.

Klairs All-Day Airy Sunscreen 7/10

The Klairs All-Day Airy Sunscreen is very comparable to the Round Lab Sun Cream in terms of texture, finish and overall feel. This is creamy, blendable and feels pretty lightweight on the skin. It also gives off just the right amount of dewiness – the kind that makes your skin look healthy but not oily.

Unfortunately though, this is another sunscreen that makes my eyes red and watery. Like the Isntree sun gel, this doesn’t contain fragrance so I think it probably is one of the UV filters! If it weren’t for that I’d definitely rate it higher. I still use it but have to be careful to avoid the eye area!

Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream* 8/10

Out of all the sunscreens on this list, the texture of this one is undoubtedly the lightest. Tocobo isn’t exaggerating with the name ‘watery sun cream’ – it’s very liquid-like. I imagine that there will be very few people who dislike the consistency!

The finish is very pretty too. It’s dewy and moisturising without feeling greasy. It’s also perfect for layering as you won’t experience any pilling with this formula.

Where this sunscreen loses points for me is the scent. It is VERY botanical. Giving the best description I can, it smells like you’ve just stepped into a flower shop – it really is that floral! I honestly find the scent a little much, but it does dissipate after a while, so it’s not a complete dealbreaker for me.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum* 6.5/10

This sun serum is like marmite: you’re either going to love it or hate it. Personally, I have some days where I really like how it feels on my skin and others where it feels quite heavy and looks overly shiny. I think it really depends on how my skin is doing on that particular day!

Texture-wise, this is unlike any other sunscreen I’ve tried. It’s not at all creamy and almost feels more akin to a gel moisturiser than a sun cream. The active ingredients are actually encapsulated within the serum and they burst as you massage the product into the skin. This definitely gives it an interesting consistency, but the great thing is that it guarantees no white cast.

Since ginseng is the star ingredient, it’s probably not surprising that this does have quite a strong ginseng scent. I don’t find it too overpowering but it is something to be aware of if you have a sensitive nose!

And finally, when it comes to finish, this is quite dewy to begin with. However, it does dry down over time so you do end up with a satin effect eventually.

Have you tried any of these Korean sunscreens? If not, which are you most interested in trying? Let me know in the comments!