Every year, Korean beauty brands like Innisfree and Dr Jart+ (and their respective sunscreens) take center stage, claiming their title as the top products of the sunny season. But what makes Korean sunscreens different from American ones?

Korean sunscreens are known for their lightweight, elegant formulas that absorb into the skin without leaving it feeling heavy or greasy, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Claire Chang. “Many Korean sunscreens are also formulated with skin care ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and Centella asiatica to improve skin health along with protecting the skin,” says Chang.

To learn more about Korean sunscreens, I spoke with board-certified dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist about why Korean sunscreens are a go-to for sun protection and gathered their recommendations, NBC Select staff favorites and highly rated options to shop.

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The best Korean sunscreens in 2026

Best overall

When our editors tested and ranked 100 sunscreens, Round Lab’s Birch Juice earned our No. 1 spot. The silky sunscreen hydrates your skin and doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue or white cast, which is why NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris likes keeping it in her daily sunscreen rotation. It also has niacinamide to brighten and soothe skin, along with amino acids and minerals to reduce texture and inflammation, according to the brand.

NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin, who has the sensitive skin-friendly mineral version of the sunscreen, says she was “amazed” by how well it blends in and mattifies her skin. “It feels so lightweight on my skin that I forget I’m wearing it, plus it doesn’t have that intense sunscreen smell and is totally matte when it dries,” she says.

Editor’s pick

NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio has very dry skin, so she loves that this sunscreen is both lightweight and hydrating. “It’s easy to blend out and sits well under makeup, so it doesn’t cause pilling throughout the day (which I tend to deal with a lot with other sunscreens),” she says. “It’s also water-resistant, which comes in handy during the sweaty summer months.”

Best moisturizer with SPF

Belif is one of our favorite Korean beauty brands, and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jane Yoo recommends this moisturizer with SPF. Not only does it hydrate and protect the skin, but the non-greasy moisturizing cream also has marigold extract to improve the skin barrier. It also has noni extract to even out your skin tone and boost elasticity, according to the brand.

Best for darker skin tones

“I’ve searched high and low for a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast, flake or feel greasy, and my skin care routine became whole once I found Etude,” says NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi. “The mineral sunscreen, which is more like a gel, leaves my skin moisturized all day, has helped so much with my hyperpigmentation, and is the perfect consistency for my combination skin.”

Most soothing

Yoo recommends this chemical sunscreen, which has ingredients like green tea, sunflower seed oil and cica to hydrate, nourish and soothe the skin. Morris likes using this sunscreen in the wintertime to give a balanced glow to her oily skin. “It may be too greasy for me in the summer, but it’s perfect for the winter months when my skin is usually drier and needs a little brightness boost,” she says.

Best for a dewy finish

Reviewers love this sunscreen, which comes recommended by Yoo, because it’s moisturizing and leaves their skin looking supple, dewy and glowing. The hydrating sunscreen is thick upon application, but blends in well so it doesn’t feel too thick on the skin, reviewers say. However, some reviewers say they find it a little too heavy for their oily and acne-prone skin.

Best for oily skin

Dr. Jart+, one of our favorite K-beauty brands, recently expanded its sun care lineup with this stick sunscreen. It hydrates skin while simultaneously blurring pores, which makes it great to apply underneath makeup, in my experience. Plus, it’s easy to reapply and take on the go. “It layers nicely over make-up, doesn’t smudge or crack and has a matte finish,” says former NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. “It’s small enough to fit in any bag and I’m never concerned that it’ll leak.”

Most nourishing

Chang recommends this lightweight sunscreen because it’s excellent for all skin types and tones, plus it absorbs quickly into the skin and layers well under makeup, she says. It also has rice extracts and probiotics to hydrate your skin, says Chang. Morris, who used this sunscreen daily during a trip to Jamaica, says it was great for walks along the beach and around town in the hot sun. “There was no dripping or running to speak of,” she says.

Best for sensitive skin

NBC Select senior social media manager Rosalie Sparaco says that this mineral sunscreen does a great job at evening out her skin tone without needing makeup on top. The green tint corrects redness, and active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene work to soothe and hydrate the skin barrier, according to the brand. “I didn’t notice a smell, it didn’t feel heavy or make my skin look shiny and best of all, it didn’t irritate my skin, which is slightly sensitive,” says Sparaco.

Best for dry skin

This chemical sunscreen has Centella asiatica, which is gentle enough for sensitive skin and won’t trigger any breakout or flare-ups, according to the brand. It also has hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump your skin, leaving it protected and dewy all at once, says Chang. Reviewers love how it easily blends into their skin, so it doesn’t feel heavy or sticky on the surface.

Best for combination skin

Former NBC Select page Elliot Hyon keeps this hydrating sun gel from Isntree, which has eight types of hyaluronic acid, in his sunscreen rotation. “It has a nice runny texture that applies very smoothly and blends into the skin,” he says. “It is definitely not waterproof or sweatproof, so it doesn’t hold up in humid weather, but I love it because it doesn’t have any silicones, which is great for my combination skin.”

Best for skin barrier health

This sunscreen, which has a 4.4-star average rating from more than 500 reviews on the brand’s site, has hyaluronic acid, propanediol, vitamin E and beetroot extract to draw in and retain moisture, according to the brand. Reviewers of varying skin types say this sun lotion is extremely lightweight, non-greasy and blends seamlessly into their skin.

Best blurring effect

This sunscreen layers well over other skin care products and has a smooth, glowy finish that doesn’t make skin look overly oily, says Morris. “I like to apply this sunscreen for early morning gym sessions when I don’t feel like going through my whole routine because it doesn’t pill over my heavier night creams,” she says. She also says it’s invisible on her skin once it dries down. The formula has cica to help reduce the look of dark spots and aloe to soothe and cool your skin, according to the brand.

Best dewy finish

This top-rated sunscreen has a lightweight texture and a gentle, fragrance-free formula that reviewers say is great for sensitive skin. It has familiar favorites like niacinamide that smooths texture and tone, panthenol to calm irritation, and Korean specialties like soybean and barley seed ferment to hydrate, according to the brand. It has a 4.6-star average rating from nearly 3,000 reviews on Amazon, and reviewers say it doesn’t leave a white cast.

How I picked the best Korean sunscreens

When gathering the best Korean sunscreens to shop, my experts recommend considering the following factors:

• Sunscreen type: There are three types of sunscreen: mineral, chemical and hybrid (a combination of both mineral and chemical). Mineral (or physical) sunscreens use active ingredients (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) that sit on the surface of your skin and reflect UV light. Chemical sunscreens use chemical filters that absorb UV light and convert it into heat so your body can then release it, experts say.
• PA rating/SPF rating: According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen should have at least SPF 30 protection. Most K-beauty sunscreens list an SPF rating and a PA rating (the Korean version of our sunscreen rating system, which indicates UVA protection). PA+ indicates low UVA protection, while PA++++ means the sunscreen has very high protection.
• Price: Sunscreens can vary in cost depending on their size and ingredient list. This list has options as low as $9 and as high as $35.

How does Korean sunscreen differ from American sunscreen?

In the United States, sunscreens are regulated as a drug, whereas many countries like Korea consider them a cosmetic product, according to Yoo. Even though it’s cosmetic in Korea, these products still have to undergo clinical testing and follow ISO standards, similar to Japan and the EU.

Because the Federal Drug Administration has not approved newer, more advanced sunscreen ingredients, many American sunscreens still rely on more traditional ingredients, according to Dr. Shuting Hu, a cosmetic chemist and founder and CEO of Acaderma. This regulatory limitation has made it more challenging for U.S. brands to innovate at the same pace as other regions.

Because Korean beauty brands don’t have to regulate their sunscreens as a drug, they have access to more chemical filters that will help protect the skin from UVA and UVB damage. Some Korean sunscreens may contain newer sunscreen filters, like Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, Ivinul A Plus and Uvinul T 150, says Chang.

K-beauty formulations also tend to be more cosmetically elegant than the American sunscreens; — Korean sunscreens often feel silkier to the touch and do not leave a white cast, says Yoo. Korean sunscreens may also have other active ingredients, like hydrating and soothing antioxidants or anti-aging ingredients, that are beneficial for the skin, according to Chang. They might also come in a broader range of formulations, including gel-based and cushion sunscreens, says Chang.

How to shop for Korean sunscreens

When choosing a K-beauty sunscreen, you should consider several factors, including ingredients, skin type and sun protection.

Do you need a mineral or chemical sunscreen?

• Mineral sunscreens, or physical sunscreens, block UV light from reaching our skin by using active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect it from the surface. Because these ingredients sit on the surface of the skin, they tend to be less irritating, making them great options for those with sensitive or reactive skin, experts say.
• Chemical sunscreens have chemical filters that absorb UV light and convert it into heat, so they’re released by our bodies. Some of the most common chemical filters include octisalate, homosalate, oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate. Typically, these are easier to blend, don’t leave behind a white cast and feel more lightweight, according to our experts.

Which ingredients are best for your skin type?

Aside from the active ingredients in your K-beauty sunscreen that dictate whether it’s a chemical, mineral or hybrid, you’ll also find additional ingredients that will help your skin type and concerns. For example, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin and panthenol in sunscreen are hydrating ingredients that are great for those with dry skin, according to Chang. If you have dull, uneven or photodamaged skin, you’ll want to find options with antioxidants and brightening ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide, she says.

Meet our skin care experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Claire Chang is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. She is also a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center.
• Dr. Jane Yoo is a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City. She is also clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation.
• Dr. Shuting Hu is a cosmetic chemist and founder and CEO of Acaderma.

Why trust NBC Select?

Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter at NBC Select covering beauty, including new product launches and articles such as the best SPF lip balms and scalp sunscreens. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness, and more, including stories on the best Korean beauty ampoules and natural hair stylers. For this piece, they interviewed dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist to learn more about the difference between Korean sunscreens and American sunscreens. They also recommended products the dermatologists shared as well as NBC Select staff favorites and highly rated options on the market that align with experts’ shopping guidance.

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