This post will be sharing ten of the best Korean sunscreens on Amazon under $20.
Before now, sunscreens used to be one of those products that we didn’t take seriously. Yes, they are important but we simply couldn’t care. When we finally decided to pay attention, it turns out that the drugstore sunscreens were just ridiculously expensive for the size. I mean why will I spend almost $40 on 1oz of sunscreen. (side-eye Supergoop). Then we had to deal with sunscreens with outdated filters that left a horrible white cast and a generally unpleasant experience.
To be honest, anybody that is still struggling to get into a sunscreen routine, I wouldn’t blame you at all. But thankfully, you don’t have to any longer as this post will be sharing some amazing sunscreen recommendations so read till the end.
About a year ago when I was finally ready to get into sunscreens, I was already into Korean skincare. I was crazy about it and won’t stop talking about how it transformed my dry dehydrated skin. But then, I started to get even more informed about sun protection and how it protects our skin against premature ageing and skin cancer. This led me to get my very first sunscreen, the Missha Essence Sun Milk SPF50+. It was such an enjoyable experience that I finally began to use sunscreen religiously.
What’s the deal about Korean Sunscreens?
For a second, think about all the things you have to deal with when you use a regular drugstore sunscreen:
- Horrible white cast that never goes away.
- Outdated filters that don’t give nearly enough protection.
- A heavy fragrance that causes irritation and breakouts.
- Ridiculous price/quantity ratio that doesn’t encourage consistency.
- An unpleasant texture that doesn’t blend under makeup…etc
As a result of how innovative and advanced Asian skincare generally is, they have gone ahead to re-formulate sunscreens into such amazing products. They even went one step ahead to give us options that work for different skin types and seasons. From the sun milks to sun creams, sun sticks and the regular sunscreens. Instead we now get:
- Sunscreens with minimal to zero white casts!
- Advanced filters that give all-round protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
- Fragrance-free options with even more healing and soothing ingredients.
- Affordable and reasonable price/quantity ratio.
- Generally, enjoyable texture that just works.
What is the difference between Physical & Chemical Sunscreens?
Before we go ahead with the recmmendations, it is important for you to understand the difference between this two types of suncreen. Whatever you pick is mostly down to personal preference.
According to Forefront Dermatology,
Chemical sunscreens are absorbers of UV rays as they attempt to enter the skin. Physical sunscreens contain active mineral ingredients, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which work by sitting on top of the skin to deflect damaging UV rays away from the skin.
Dr. August A. Natalie
In simple terms, physical/mineral sunscreens sit on your skin while chemical sunscreens absorb into your skin. This is why it is important to choose the right chemical sunscreen. I mean if it will be absorbed into your skin, you want to avoid as much irritation and breakouts as possible.
Now that we’re a bit educated about the superiority of Korean sunscreens, let’s get down to business!
Here are 10 Best Korean Sunscreens under $20 on Amazon that are absolutely worth it!
Purito Centella Green Level Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ – $16
Possibly the most popular Korean sunscreen at the moment (as a result of TikTok), this is a chemical sunscreen. It is interesting to know that the chemical filters that Purito uses are a new generation that is not even available in the US. Maybe the US will catch up in a decade. But in the meantime, we get to enjoy maximum sun protection from Purito.
As a chemical sunscreen which will be absorbed into your skin, it is also formulated with Niacinamide as well as Centella Asiatica extract. Centella helps to calm any inflammation you might have while Niacinamide helps to control sebum production. If you have acne-prone skin, your skin will love this sunscreen! You should also be aware that this sunscreen comes in both scented and unscented versions.
Purito Comfy Water Sun Block SPF 50+ PA++++ – $16
If chemical sunscreens are not your thing, Purito has got you with their Comfy Sun Block which is a physical sunscreen. This uses Zinc Oxide as its major filter. You’re probably familiar with Zinc from The Ordinary’s Niacinamide. Yes, it;s the same.
Depending on the percentages, Zinc can also be used as sun protection or for acne. Zinc has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat acne. This sunscreen also has Niacinamide and other antioxidants which makes it also suitable for those with acne-prone skin.
If you had to choose between the two Purito sunscreens, I’ll say you go for the chemical sunscreen if you need to wear makeup. You can wear the physical one on makeup-free days.
Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++ – $12
Moving on to a less popular brand, this is a physical sunscreen that also uses Zinc Oxide,Titanium Dioxide and a few other sunscreen filters.
It is formulated with antioxidants and other soothing extracts like Jojoba. It is fragrance-free and has a pretty clean ingredient list. If you are looking to explore physical sunscreens, you should definitely give this a try.
BUY ON AMAZON
Some By Mi True Cica Mineral 100 Calming Suncream SPF 50+ PA++++ – $14
If you haven’t noticed by now, most Korean skincare brands have sunscreens. It is not relegated to just a handful of brands. This means that there is a wide variety of options to choose from.
Some By Mi is one of those brands that formulate products for acne and hyperpigmentation. So, I wasn’t suprised to see a couple of sunscreens in their lineup. As the name implies, this is also a physical sunscreen that is packed with great stuff.
It has Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tea Tree Oil and Glycerine. On the downside, it has essential oils like Orange Peel Oil and Lavender Oil which might cause irritation for sensitive skin. If your skin doesn’t mind essential oils, you should definitely try this sunscreen out.
Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk SPF 50+ PA++++ – $12
Before Purito, there was Missha and their lineup of sunscreens for different skin types. Infact, I would say Missha ran so Purito could fly.
The Missha Essence Sun Milk is one of my favourite chemical sunscreens to use. It is lightweight, hydrating and of course, doesn’t leave a white cast. If you can overlook the Ethanol and Fragrance (which makes no difference, to be honest), you will enjoy the soothing benefits of Aloe Vera, Green Tea and other antioxidants.
Missha All Around Safe Block Aqua Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA+++ – $12
While the Missha Essence Sun Milk was formulated for dry skin, the Sun Gel was fomulated for oily skin. Of course, this doesn’t mean that any other skin type cannot use it for different seasons.
This is also a chemical sunscreen with Green Tea and other antioxidants. Missha definitely has a thing for Ethanol and Fragrance because it has been included in this variant as well. Then again, these sunscreens are still bestsellers and I’m sure there is a reason for that. If they still catch your fancy, you can try them out at all. After all, they’re cheap and affordable. If you don’t like them for your face, you can repurpose them for your body.
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++ – $14
I’ve been using this particular sunscreen for the past month and I’m currently loving it! It is a hybrid sunscreen with both physical and chemical filters. This means that it sits on your skin but after a while but gradually absorbs until you don’t feel it anymore.
It has both Aloe Vera and Glycerin which makes it quite moisturizing. It leaves a minimal white cast which disappears after a while. On the downside, it has Alcohol and Fragrance which doesn’t bother me at all. My skin is not exactly sensitive. Even if it was, it is not that noticeable. Asides that, I love COSRX as a brand so I’m slightly biased. Lol. I love this because it acts as a moisturizer and SPF in one. This makes my morning routine super quick.
So, if you want a SPF you can also use as a moisturizer during fall/autumn, you should defineitly try this.
Innisfree Intensive Triple Care Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ – $16
Innisfree is one of those Korean brands that is known for their fragrance. Imfact, one of the ways you can identify the different product lines is by smelling them. I’ve used quite a number of Innisfree kits in the past and they were all laden with fragrance. Of course, their sunscreen is not any different. But this doesn’t mean the product is bad.
This is a physical sunscreen that is packed with antioxidants and soothing ingredients. From Niacinamide to Centella, Tumeric Root Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Green Tea, Citrus Peel Extract and Witch Hazel Leaf Extract. Phew! That is quite a lot if you ask me. This would have been the perfect sunscreen without the fragrance but I’m guessing the product needed to smell nice after all these extracts.
This is one of the Innisfree Sunscreens I’ll be trying soon so I think you should join me and try it out too. (if you like.)
BUY ON AMAZON
A’PIEU Pure Block Natural Daily Sun Cream SPF 45/PA +++ – $7
A’PIEU is the daughter brand of Missha so I’m not surprised to see Fragrance at all. This is a chemical sunscreen with antioxidants and soothing ingredients such as Panthenol and Aloe Vera. It also has quite a bit of fruit extracts including Watermelon, Apple, Orange, Peach, Sweet Cherry, Rose and Rice Bran.
With all these extracts, the SPF should have a natural scent. It would have been lovely. Regardless, for the price, I think it is a decent sunscreen as well.
Etude House Sunprise Mild Watery Light SPF50+/PA +++- $8
This is another chemical sunscreen that is formulated with antioxidants and soothing ingredients. From Aloe Vera to Hyaluronic Acid, Centella and other plant extracts.
It also has essential oils so it might be suitable for those with sensitive skin. This is a sunscreen you want to use have around during the Summer months.
In conclusion,
It is important to know that these are the best Korean sunscreens that are available on AMAZON.
If you want to explore even more fragrance-free sunscreens, you should check out STYLE VANA.
As a personal preference, I’ve found that I prefer to use chemical sunscreens during the warmer months. Physical sunscreens especially the ones that come as sun creams as opposed to sun milks are more moisturizing and better suited for colder months. Of course, this is my preference. You should try out both types to find what works for you.
What is your favourite Korean sunscreen?
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