Sun Protection and Sunscreens
There is really no debating the importance of sunscreen anymore. The sun is responsible for much of the visible damage associated with aging, such as wrinkles and pigmentation, can aggravate acne for some people, and also causes skin diseases such as skin cancer. I have said it a thousand times, and I will say it another twenty thousand if I have to: no skincare routine is complete without sunscreen! Sunscreen is the best anti-aging product there is.
Apply a generous layer of sunscreen to get the level of protection stated on the bottle. Around half a teaspoon (2.5 ml) is a rough guide for the face, with extra for the neck; the amount you need depends on the area you are covering.
Because sunscreen can wear off throughout the day, we need to reapply every two hours outdoors, and after swimming, sweating or toweling off. If you spend time indoors beside sunny windows, think about your exposure and follow the product's directions rather than relying on a fixed four-hour rule.
A little powder or a quick mist of sunscreen will not provide enough coverage for reliable protection. A sunscreen spray can work, but only if you apply enough, cover the skin evenly and rub it in.
Use sunscreen during the day all year round, including winter, and when you are exposed to sunlight through windows at home (yes, UV is still there even when we do not feel the sun as much).
Some of our skincare products can make skin more sensitive to the sun, and if we do not protect it, we can end up doing more harm than good. So if you are not willing to use sunscreen properly, you might as well throw the rest of your products in the trash too.
UV rays are divided into three types:
UVC
Almost none reaches us through the atmosphere, so it is not relevant here and I will not cover it in this guide.
UVB
The rays mainly responsible for sunburn.
UVA
The rays associated with wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage.
SPF
A measure of protection against UVB rays. I recommend choosing SPF 50, or at least SPF 30.
PA
A measure of protection against UVA rays. It is rated by the number of plus signs, from a minimum of one to a maximum of four. This rating is mainly used in Asia. If your sunscreen is not Asian, check that it says broad spectrum so you know it protects against UVA too.
Types of sunscreen:
Older-generation chemical filters: These absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat. Sunscreens using them are usually transparent, lightweight and easy to absorb. Some can be very irritating for certain people, and some filters need stabilization to stay effective in sunlight.
Newer-generation chemical filters: These are stable in sunlight and can be a good option for sensitive skin, although any formula can irritate someone. Many are not approved as sunscreen filters in the US because the FDA has been slow to approve them, while they are very common in Europe and Asia. This is my favorite type of UV filter.
*Update: in June 2026, the FDA added the chemical filter bemotrizinol to the permitted sunscreen ingredients in the US.
Mineral filters: Contrary to the myth, mineral sunscreens also work mainly by absorbing UV, with only a small portion reflected. They tend to leave a white cast and feel relatively heavy. They can also suit sensitive skin.
Combination sunscreens: A combination of chemical and mineral UV filters.
Also worth reading: Can You Trust Korean Sunscreens? (Hebrew)
Over the past few years, I have tried more than 100 sunscreens! In this guide, I will include only my favorites. You can find all my reviews, including the ones I do not recommend, in my Sunscreen Instagram Highlights.
Purito Soft Touch Sunscreen
A creamy, moisturizing sunscreen that feels lovely, with a subtly glowy finish. It contains newer-generation chemical filters. It absorbs easily, does not pill and leaves no white cast. It is water-resistant and can also suit sensitive skin.
Purchase links:
Haruharu Sunscreen
A creamy, velvety, moisturizing sunscreen with a natural matte finish. It is neither completely matte nor shiny. It contains five chemical filters, all newer-generation! I liked it on my dry, acne-prone skin, and it can replace moisturizer. I think it mainly suits normal or dry skin. For oily skin, perhaps more in winter.
Purchase links:
Isntree Sunscreen
One of my favorites. Lightweight and pleasant, completely transparent, not greasy, with good ingredients. Very, very glowy on the skin. A good fit if you love a glow.
Purchase links:
Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen
A lightweight, pleasant sunscreen with newer-generation chemical filters. It has a natural glowy finish. It should suit most skin types, especially normal to dry skin.
Purchase links:
Beauty of Joseon Aqua-Fresh Sunscreen
A newer Beauty of Joseon sunscreen that is even lighter than the first one, very watery, and particularly suited to oily and acne-prone skin. A matte finish.
Purchase links:
Purito Centella Sunscreen
A super lightweight texture that leaves skin looking radiant. It contains five chemical filters, all newer-generation.
Purchase links:
Torriden Sunscreen
A lightweight, creamy sunscreen with a gorgeous glow and four newer-generation chemical filters. It will probably suit dry, normal and combination skin.
Purchase links:
Torriden Sun Serum
A lighter, more fluid version of Torriden's sunscreen. It leaves a lot of shine and did not give me much moisture (it is probably intended for oilier skin).
Purchase links:
Dear, Klairs Sunscreen
A creamy, hydrating sunscreen that feels like moisturizer. It contains four newer-generation chemical filters. It does not leave a white cast, but after a few reapplications, I sometimes found it sticky and heavy. In my opinion, it is especially suited to dry skin in winter or to sensitive skin.
Purchase links:
SKIN1004 Sunscreen
A moisturizing sunscreen with a lightweight, creamy texture and a little glow. It uses newer-generation chemical filters. It feels pleasant on the skin, but you need to work it in well so it does not leave a whitish, purple-tinted layer. I liked it overall, although I think some of its competitors are easier to use.
Purchase links:
100 ml version:
50 ml version:
SKIN1004 Sunscreen: the Probiotics Line
Another SKIN1004 sunscreen that is not as viral as the previous one, but I think it is even better (especially for dry or sensitive skin). It uses four newer-generation chemical filters, leaves absolutely no white cast, and contains good ingredients for hydration, soothing and supporting the skin barrier.
Purchase links:
Numbuzin Sunscreen
A lightweight, pleasant sunscreen with only newer-generation chemical filters. It also contains licorice, Centella asiatica, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and more. A slightly glowy finish.
Purchase links:
Numbuzin Sunscreen from the NAD+ Line
Despite the word Dewy in its name, it was very matte on my dry skin, and I did not love the dry-looking finish. It may interest anyone looking for a lightweight, matte SPF, but it is not water-resistant and ran on me in the heat. I would not describe it as a rich sunscreen for dry skin.
Purchase links:
Anua Sunscreen
A creamy, lightweight, pleasant sunscreen with five chemical filters, all newer-generation. It also contains 30% Houttuynia cordata extract, caffeine, niacinamide, panthenol, green tea and more.
Purchase links:
Isntree Body Sunscreen
A Korean body sunscreen, 150 ml and water-resistant, that I also tried at the beach and in the pool. I especially liked how lightweight it was, how quickly it absorbed, and that it left no white cast and did not feel greasy.
Purchase links:
iUNIK Sunscreen
A creamy, lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen with a little glow. I really liked it, and while using it, I also noticed less redness. It can suit anyone who likes a moisturizing texture, especially in winter, and for some readers, it can replace moisturizer. It is based on 49% Centella asiatica (!) and contains other soothing and restorative ingredients.
Purchase links:
Isntree Sunscreen from the Onion Line
A fluid, lightweight sunscreen with a matte finish. It absorbs easily and leaves no white cast, but during the day, I felt it was drying out my already dry skin. That is why I recommend it more for oily or combination skin.
Purchase links:
Tocobo Sunscreen
A very lightweight sunscreen with a matte finish. The herbal scent was strong and unpleasant to me, and after a few reapplications, my dry skin felt very dehydrated. It is an option for oily skin if you like a matte finish and do not mind the scent. I am less inclined to recommend it for dry skin.
Purchase links:
AXIS-Y Mineral Sunscreen
A relatively lightweight mineral sunscreen that I especially liked when my eyes were sensitive and irritated. Compared with other mineral sunscreens, it does not leave much of a white cast, but it did leave a whitish, purple-tinted cast on me, and sometimes the white residue collected in the creases around my eyes. I mostly used it only around my eyes, with another sunscreen on the rest of my face, because the cast was hard for me to deal with day to day. It can suit particularly sensitive skin.
Purchase links:
Important notes
I am not a dermatologist or a cosmetic chemist, just someone who loves skincare. Nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. If you have a skin condition, speak to a dermatologist.
I can't promise results. We all respond differently, and skincare involves trial and error. You need to learn what works for your own skin.
Some of the products I discuss contain strong active ingredients and need to be used responsibly. Read about a product before using it. Not every product suits every skin type.
Be patient. Many products take weeks or months to show results. Skincare takes time.
This post reflects my personal experience and what I have learned. I do my best to be accurate, but mistakes are possible. I am always happy to learn, and if you spot an error, you can contact me on Instagram.
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