Elegant, invisible formula: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics
This chic, sheer lotion contains chemical sunscreens offset by soothing rice extracts.
In the US, sunscreens are considered an over-the-counter drug, subject to FDA approval. But the agency hasn’t approved a new UV-filtering ingredient in more than 20 years. In many other countries, including South Korea, ingredients are regulated as cosmetics and “are often more advanced, offer better technology, and make more elegant products,” said dermatologist Jeannette Jakus, MD. That may explain why some American sunscreens can still feel so gloopy, sticky, and stinky in comparison with the chic K-beauty formulas. And the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics is one of the most elegant—Michelle Lee refers to the fan favorite as “the holy grail of K-beauty products.” The SPF 50+ formula has a hearty dose of soothing rice extract rounding out its five UV-filtering ingredients (four chemical and one mineral).
Our staffers specifically love this formula for its sheer, liquid texture, which truly disappears into skin without a hint of tackiness, tightness, or white tinge. “It goes on so clean and vanishes,” said senior writer Joshua Lyon. The vapor-weight formula does require frequent reapplications—“but I don’t mind because it makes my skin kind of glowy,” Joshua said—and the little minimalist-chic tube stashes easily in a bag, so reupping is easy.
The company recently launched Daily Relief Sunscreen specifically for the US market, with FDA-approved ingredients, but as Jakus pointed out, the best formula “is the one you actually wear.” Jakus continued, “I’m all for foreign products when it comes to sunscreen.”
Creamy, fragrant lotion: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36
More of a lotion than a liquid, this chemical sunscreen massages in for full coverage. Just be prepared for a hint of a classic sunscreen scent.
In contrast to the milky sheerness of the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen, the Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36 is thick and hearty at first squeeze and then quickly disappears into skin. The cream’s top three ingredients are a mighty trio of chemical UV filters: avobenzone, homosalate, and octisalate. But it also contains botanicals that “make you look glowy,” said editorial director Leta Shy.
The worst you can say about the Innisfree lotion is that it has a very subtle sunscreen smell—but to be honest, some of our testers noted that as a positive: “It made me believe it wasn’t a placebo, because it otherwise feels and behaves so much like a lotion,” Patricia said. “I live in Miami, and that sunscreen-y top note assured me it was safe to go outside at noon.”
An SPF stick to swipe on over makeup: Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar SPF50+
It glides on neatly, even over makeup, and doesn’t leave a cast or a greasy film.
Korean skin care prioritizes sun protection—not just in the morning, not just at the beach, but all day, every day, with faithful reapplication. Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar SPF50+ “is the best thing I’ve found to use for reapplication throughout the day,” said dermatologist Christine Hall, who carries the clear stick with her everywhere. Despite being packed with five chemical UVA and UVB filters, “it still works over makeup, doesn’t pull on the skin, and won’t leave a film,” Hall said. Essentially, it removes every hurdle to reapplication.
If you prefer mineral sunscreen ingredients, which create a physical sunblock on the skin, be aware that the protective ingredients in this stick are all chemical sunscreens, which means they absorb the UV rays and convert them to heat. Some people find chemical sunscreens more irritating, though we didn’t have any problems with this stick, which also includes a few gentle botanical extracts like tea, aloe, and cucumber.
