8 Non-Irritating Korean Sunscreens That Are Perfect For Sensitive Skin

AD info | This post isn’t sponsored, but I have been fortunate enough to receive some of these products in PR. This does not change my opinion of the product and all opinions are honest and my own. Sunscreens that have been gifted are marked with an asterisk (*).

If you have sensitive skin you’ll know that finding the perfect sunscreen is not an easy task. Many sun creams – chemical sunscreens in particular – contain ingredients that can irritate the skin, leading to stinging, redness, bumps and breakouts.

Still, chemical sunscreens are favoured by lots of people because they leave less of a white cast and tend to be more lightweight than their mineral counterparts. I’ve written a more in-depth comparison of physical and chemical sunscreens if you want to check that out!

My skin is pretty sensitive but I also don’t really get on with mineral sunscreen formulas, which is why I’ve been on a mission to find chemical sunscreens that won’t irritate my skin or cause me to breakout.

After much trial and error, I’ve finally found a handful that work for me! Here are my top Korean chemical and hybrid sunscreens for sensitive skin…

NB: Some of these Korean sunscreens contain fragrance. Although they don’t irritate my sensitive skin, I always recommend doing a patch test before applying them on your face as everyone’s skin reacts differently.

If you’re looking for sunscreens that are completely free from fragrance, alcohol and essential oils, check out this post.

ROUNDLAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

This is the most popular Korean sunscreen at the moment… and it’s not hard to see why. ROUNDLAB’s Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream is a truly incredible formula that feels no different to a moisturiser when applied. It’s lightweight, extremely gentle and it rubs into the skin so easily.

Containing skin-soothing ingredients like niacinamide, allantoin, roman chamomile and of course birch juice, this sun cream protects against UV rays while also reducing redness and inflammation. It has a lotion-like consistency which doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on the face and it leaves no white cast.

This has a beautiful finish and can be worn in place of a moisturiser if your skin is on the oily side. Dry skin types may want to apply moisturiser underneath – this is what I do – but even without I think the ROUNDLAB Birch Juice Sun Cream provides adequate hydration throughout the day.

Read my full review of the ROUNDLAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream here.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++

Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun has quickly gained popularity over the last year or so.. Like the ROUNDLAB sun cream, this is an ultra-lightweight formula which feels really comfortable on the skin – who doesn’t love a Korean sunscreen that feels almost weightless no matter how many layers you apply?!

Relief Sun is fragrance-free and also free from essential oils. In fact, Incidecoder doesn’t flag any of its ingredients as potential irritants so you know this has to be gentle! It contains 30% rice bran extract which is rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. You’ll also find lots of other calming ingredients in here, like green tea, niacinamide and kelp extract.

This sunscreen dries down to a satin finish and it absorbs into the skin really nicely. I wouldn’t say it offers a ton of moisture but this can definitely be supplemented with a rich day cream if your skin needs it.

Read my full review of the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotic here.

*Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF50+

Thank You Farmer’s Sun Project Water Sun Cream is another amazing Korean sunscreen option for sensitive skin. Like the ones mentioned above, this has a super light texture, but the thing that sets it apart is its dewiness. Formulated with dry skin in mind, this sunscreen contains lots of nourishing ingredients that keep your skin look fresh and glowy all day long.

Cica, aloe vera and purslane extract have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, so you can expect a slight reduction in redness and inflammation from using this cream. Sunflower seed oil and sacha inchi oil also help to lock in moisture and calm the skin.

If you have oily skin this might not be for you, but if you have dry skin and love a dewy finish then give this one a try! Do note that this sunscreen contains fragrance so if your skin is particularly sensitive to this, you might need to skip this one.

Read my full review of the Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream here.

*SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50 PA++++

SKIN1004’s Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum deserves all the hype – this truly is a top-tier Korean sunscreen! The fact that it’s described as a ‘serum’, rather than a cream, tells you everything you need to know about the texture. This glides onto the skin with ease and feels incredibly comfortable to wear – it’s not sticky, greasy or overly shiny.

Because it has that serum-like consistency, it’s light yet still incredibly hydrating. This actually dries down to a semi-matte finish, but at no point during the day does my skin feel dry or like it’s lacking moisture.

With ingredients like green tea, broccoli extract, rocket extract and camellia japonica leaf extract, this sunscreen is packed full of antioxidants. Skincare products in SKIN1004’s Hyalu-Cica line are also formulated with a perfect balance of cica and hyaluronic acid – there’s three different types in this sun serum(!!) – to intensely hydrate and calm the skin.

Read my full review of the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum here.

Etude House Soon Jung x Director’s Moisture Sun Cream

If it’s moisture that you’re looking for, the Etude House Soon Jung x Director’s Moisture Sun Cream has you covered. This ticks about every box you can think of: it absorbs well, doesn’t leave a sticky film on the skin and is hypoallergenic. It’s also unscented, reef friendly, vegan and cruelty-free.

This sun cream contains hydrating ingredients like madecassoside, panthenol and cica, so it’s great for calming the skin. If you’ve already caught the sun on your face this isn’t one of those sunscreens that’s going to make your skin sting even more!

With a lightweight formula and a soft matte finish, this not only looks beautiful on the skin, it feels great too. If you’re looking for a chemical version of the Soon Jung Mineral Filter Sun Cream, give this one a try!

*TIA’M Daily Sun Care Cream SPF50+ PA++++

If you’re already a fan of the COSRX Aloe Sun Cream, you’re guaranteed to love this one too. The TIA’M Daily Sun Care Cream is extremely comparable to the COSRX one in terms of texture, finish and even scent. The main difference is that the TIA’M sunscreen contains fewer fragrance ingredients. It also contains various forms of vitamin C, giving it additional brightening benefits.

This is creamy and really soothing – it’s one of those sunscreens I turn to when my skin is feeling dry and irritated. It dries down to a satin finish and feels hydrating enough that, if you have oily or combination skin, you could probably use this instead of a moisturiser.

Perhaps the only downside to this Korean sunscreen is that, because it contains dimethicone, it has a tendency to pill. Making sure to use the right moisturiser underneath can prevent this from happening!

TIA’M’s Daily Sun Care Cream is a repackaged version of the TIA’M My Signature Vita Red Sunscreen. Read my full review of the TIA’M My Signature Vita Red Sunscreen here.

Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

With its light, essence-like consistency, the Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream is a dream for people who hate the sticky feel of traditional Korean sunscreens. It’s milky, moisturising and – most importantly – absorbs into the skin super easily, leaving no white cast behind.

This sunscreen contains a bunch of anti-inflammatory plant extracts, such as mung bean, kudzu root and cork-tree bark. It’s also infused with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide which help keep the skin looking and feeling plump, hydrated and healthy.

This is scented so you may want to avoid it if you’re particularly sensitive to fragrance. But, overall, this is a really gentle, soothing formula that will suit most skin types!

*Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sunscreen

If you’re looking for something that’s moisturising but not too dewy, the Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sunscreen is a fab choice. It’s formulated with ingredients like niacinamide and chestnut shell extract which help prevent excess oil production, as well as skin soothers like green tea, grape fruit extract, panthenol and adenosine.

This contains five(!!) different sunscreen agents so you know it offers amazing UV protection. Plus, it’s unscented which is ideal if you find that fragrance irritates your skin.

Anua’s Heartleaf Sunscreen is another lightweight one, so it’s not necessarily going to work as a replacement for your moisturiser. I like this best with a rich cream underneath, though you might be able to wear it by itself if your skin is on the oily side.

So, there you have it, my top 8 non-irritating Korean sunscreens. Which do you think works best for sensitive skin? Let me know in the comments!