Top 10 Korean/K-Beauty Sunscreens Reviewed

Ever since my last post on sunscreens in India, I have experimented with many Korean or K-Beauty sunscreens, having heard about the far superior cosmetic elegance of those sunscreens compared to the ones available in the Indian market. In this post I review all of them against various factors like SPF and PA, drying effect, shine, white cast etc.

Physical or Chemical sunscreen filters? All of the below sunscreens primarily make use of organic or chemical sunscreen filters as I find them to be better suited for Indian skin than physical filters like Zinc Oxide which give a white cast.

Alcohol in sunscreens – Many of these sunscreens have alcohol quite high up in the ingredients list which can cause drying of the skin and breakouts. I have experimented with many sunscreens with alcohol – some break me out, some are extremely drying; but not all(in spite of being high up on the ingredients list). So it’s best to experiment to figure out what formulation works best for your skin. As you will see, I prefer the sun gels which are light and almost watery, to sun creams which are usually rich and heavy.

Where can I buy K-Beauty products from?
I always buy them from Jolse. There are also other sites like SokoGlam, StyleKorean and RoseRoseShop. You may have to pay custom duty while receiving.

Let’s begin with the reviews of Top 10 Korean/K-Beauty Sunscreens!

Note : The colour difference between my hand in the top and bottom is due to the auto exposure, not because the sunscreen made it white 😀

1. Missha All-around Safe Block Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane are the main sunscreen ingredients. Alcohol is 3rd on the ingredients list.
• SPF and PA – SPF50+ PA++++. Both values are high for extreme protection against UVA and UVB.
• Texture & Spreadability – Runny, light and spreads with ease.
• Absorption & Drying time – Dries within seconds and absorbs so well that I feel like I haven’t applied anything.
• Finish – The best ever! No shine, no oiliness, no stickiness, no white cast.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Yes, a bit. Especially around my nose, my skin would feel stretchy a few hours after application . So I apply a drop of moisturizer around my nose before applying the sunscreen and it works amazingly well.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – Mildly perfumed. Moderate alcohol-y smell.
• Will I repurchase it? – I am on my 2nd tube and have already stocked 4 more!

2. Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun SPF45 PA+++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate are the main sunscreen ingredients.
• SPF and PA – SPF45 PA+++. SPF is high enough for good protection against UVB. PA is moderately good.
• Texture & Spreadability – Thick cream, a little difficult to spread.
• Absorption & Drying time – Takes a long time to absorb.
• Finish – Leaves shine, oiliness, and a bit of whiteness.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Nope.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – Mildly perfumed, fruity.
• Will I repurchase it? – Nope.

3. Etude House UV Double Cut Fresh Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate are the main sunscreen ingredients. Alcohol is 4th on the ingredients list.
• SPF and PA – SPF50+ PA++++. Both values are high for extreme protection against UVA and UVB.
• Texture & Spreadability – Silky and slides off skin. Spreads with ease.
• Absorption & Drying time – Absorbs easily.
• Finish – Leaves a bit of shine & oiliness. There’s no stickiness, no white cast.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Nope.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – Mild herbal floral smell.
• Will I repurchase it? – Maybe. I currently use this as my neck sunscreen and it works really well on the neck.

4. A’Pieu Everyday Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and BisEthylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine are the main sunscreen ingredients. Ethanol is 6th on the ingredients list.
• SPF and PA – SPF50+ PA++++. Both values are high for extreme protection against UVA and UVB.
• Texture & Spreadability – Liquidy, light and spreads with ease.
• Absorption & Drying time – Dries within seconds and absorbs well.
• Finish – Leaves a tiny bit of shine & oiliness. There’s no stickiness, no white cast.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Nope.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – Floral + Quite high alcohol-y smell.
• Will I repurchase it? – Maybe. It is a great size for travel.

5. A’Pieu Power Block Essence Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid are the main sunscreen ingredients. It is high in Centella Asiatica Extract which is great for calming and repairing skin.
• SPF and PA – SPF50+ PA++++. Both values are high for extreme protection against UVA and UVB.
• Texture & Spreadability – Creamy, spreads quite well.
• Absorption & Drying time – Takes time to absorb.
• Finish – Leaves a bit of shine & oiliness. There’s no stickiness, no white cast.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Nope.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – Baby cream + floral smell.
• Will I repurchase it? – Nope.

6. A’Pieu Pure Block Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA+++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane are the main sunscreen ingredients. Alcohol is 2nd on the ingredients list.
• SPF and PA – SPF50+ PA+++. SPF is high for extreme protection against UVB. PA is moderately good.
• Texture & Spreadability – Liquidy, light and spreads with ease.
• Absorption & Drying time – Dries within seconds and absorbs well.
• Finish – No shine, no oiliness, no stickiness, no white cast.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Yes.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – Citrus. Moderate alcohol-y smell.
• Will I repurchase it? – Maybe.

7. A’Pieu Pure Block Natural Daily Sun Cream SPF45 PA+++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine are the main sunscreen ingredients.
• SPF and PA – SPF45 PA+++. SPF is high enough for good protection against UVB. PA is moderately good.
• Texture & Spreadability – Creamy and spreads with ease.
• Absorption & Drying time – Dries fast and absorbs well.
• Finish – Leaves a bit of shine & oiliness. There’s no stickiness, no white cast.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Not at all. The comfort is amazing.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – Citrus.
• Will I repurchase it? – Maybe. This was my favourite before I got hooked on to Missha All-around Safe Block Aqua Sun Gel.

8. Innisfree Aqua UV Protection Cream Water Drop SPF50+ PA++++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate are the main sunscreen ingredients.
• SPF and PA – SPF50+ PA++++. Both values are high for extreme protection against UVA and UVB.
• Texture & Spreadability – Silky and slides off skin. Spreads with ease.
• Absorption & Drying time – Absorbs easily.
• Finish – Leaves an oily film behind and is a bit sticky. There’s no white cast.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Nope.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – Mild herbal smell.
• Will I repurchase it? – Nope.

9. COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, BisEthylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine and Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid are the main sunscreen ingredients.
• SPF and PA – SPF50 PA+++. SPF is high for extreme protection against UVB. PA is moderately good.
• Texture & Spreadability – Thick, creamy, difficult to spread .
• Absorption & Drying time – Takes time to absorb.
• Finish – Very oily with a bit of whiteness.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Nope. It’s very moisturizing.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – herbal floral smell.
• Will I repurchase it? – Nope.

10. Earth’s Recipe Waterful Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA+++

• Ingredients – Cosdna full ingredients list. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and BisEthylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine are the main sunscreen ingredients.
• SPF and PA – SPF50+ PA+++. SPF is high for extreme protection against UVB. PA is moderately good.
• Texture & Spreadability – Very runny and watery (hence the name :D), light and spreads with utmost ease. This has to have the best texture in this list.
• Absorption & Drying time – Absorbs really well.
• Finish – Very oily finish.
• Did it dry out my skin? – Nope.
• Did it cause my skin to breakout? – Nope.
• Smell – herbal floral smell.
• Will I repurchase it? – Nope.

Have you used Korean sunscreens? Which one is your favourite?