Korean sunscreens have suffered a bit from a bad rep since Puritogate/ the big sunscreen scandal of 2021. But we still really like some sunscreens from Korea, and I’ll tell you why.
Korean sunscreens – the aftermath of the scandal
I’m a big fan of not painting everything with the same brush, even after a scandal like this.
I still like Korean sunscreens for the ease of wear: I can look for alcohol- and fragrance-free formulations with modern filters and I will find something that I like to wear. Sure, I can also find those options in Europe (sorry, USA), but usually, Korean (and Japanese) formulas are often just a tiny bit more pleasant to use. Similarly to Japan, sunscreen is a part of the lifestyle, and not a product to slap on to alleviate the immediate effect of the sun.
What we’ve learned since the scandal broke is that there’s a loophole in Korean law that allows to test a “standard formula” for SPF ratings, and then tweak that formula and not test that end result again (Odile Monod revealed this). To understand the production of a sunscreen, you have to know that not all brands employ their own labs and production facilities. There’re certain manufacturers (ODM companies) who’ll try to formulate SPFs fitting a company’s brief, and it makes sense that those companies will have that kind of “standard formula” around that will then be altered to the brand’s wishes.
Why I still use Korean sunscreens
I unfortunately couldn’t find out if that loophole in Korean legislature still exists, but I do know that a) not all brands go through ODMs, b) the big-name brands (all belonging to LG, for example) manufacture in-house and c) more brands start to invest in not only more tests, but also tests in different countries (which is great, because test standards are different in the EU than in Korea, for example). (Michelle talks about this in her last sunscreen video here.)
I still use my fave Korean SPFs all the time, with one caveat: usually, those super lightweight formulas aren’t really that water-/sweatproof, so I don’t wear them for hiking trips in the midst of summer, for example, or to the beach. I also always look for high UVA protection, and Korean SPFs usually don’t offer that. (Well, there are exceptions, to which we come in a minute!)
Iope UV Shield Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++
- Physical & chemical filters
- Available at A-Beauty retailers like YesStyle, Stylvana et al. or even Amazon. Around 25€ for 20g. (Looks like it’s being reformulated right now, which unfortunately happens nearly every year with K-Beauty sunscreens.)
- Initial review
This is great for re-application and travelling. It’s compact and easy to carry around, can be used on face and body, and has a silky, non-shine and non-sticky formula. Yes, it has fragrance, but I can nevertheless use it without noticing it.
On its own, we’re both a bit hesitant to use it, because honestly, it’s hard to gauge when you’ve applied enough.
I’ve also used it as sunscreen for my eye area when I’m using a different eye-stinging SPF fluid – which also works great. People with facial hair should be cautious, though: it tends to end up in stubble.
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++
- Chemical filters
- Available (nearly) everywhere: at all K-Beauty retailers (Yesstyle, Stylevana and Amazon), but also in Germany via Douglas and Lovemycosmetics.
- Initial review
It’s a crowd pleaser for a reason: it gives a dewy finish, has a lot of skin-loving ingredients and is rather gentle (no alcohol, no fragrance). It’s more suitable for people whose skin is on the drier side. Both Astrid and I didn’t love the finish in the height of summer: it IS slightly tacky. Still, it’s an affordable product that most people will like.
IThe Watery Sun Gel has been newly tested: The PA 19,40 ± 3.51, while the SPF is 53.5 ± 6.3.
It also sports a new look this Summer, but while the packaging has been updated, the formula stays the same. (It’s also manufactured by Kolmar, which is a rather reputable manufacturer who formulated a lot of rather well-known and reliable SPFs.)
Scinic Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++
- Chemical filters
- Available at the usual A-Beauty retailers (e.g. Stylevana, YesStyle and Olive Young). It’s the most affordable sunscreen in this list: you shouldn’t pay more than $10 for 50ml.
I just reviewed this one, but have nearly emptied the tube in the meantime. I do enjoy it, although it’s even more moisturizing than Isntree’s. When I reviewed it, my praise of it was a bit faint (it wasn’t very far away from a “meh”), but since then, it’s been growing on me for two reasons: first, it has an excellent UVA protection (around 25 – for a Korean SPF, maybe even the highest I’ve ever seen?) and it works excellently under foundation as a base. It’s also the thickest formula on this list, so choose wisely and according to your preferences!
And for all you eagle-eyed detectives spying *that* super-hyped sunscreen in the header pic, the review is coming this month!!! (And yes, it’s another fave!)
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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