Is Korean Sunscreen Better?

March 26, 2023

Korean Sunscreen takes the lead in terms of sun protection.

If you follow on me on instagram ( your missing out on so many skincare tips and much, much more if you don’t…) you’ll know I’m obsessed with Korean Sunscreen.

When it comes to beauty products, Korean skincare has taken the world by storm, and for good reason. Korean beauty products are known for their high quality and effective ingredients that can transform your skin. The beauty industry has been dominated by South Korea for decades with ground breaking product inventions (such as cushion compacts and essences), and sun protection is no different. One of the most important steps in any skincare routine is sunscreen, and Korean sunscreens are some of the best on the market. In this blog post, I’ll explore whether Korean sunscreens are better than other sunscreens. But first are Korean sunscreens are safe and reliable?

Is Korean Sunscreen Safe?

In 2020, the Korean beauty industry was hit with a scandal involving the SPF (sun protection factor) levels of certain sunscreens A blog post from INCIDecoder posted on December 3, 2020, revealed that the Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun has a mean SPF of 19 based on two independent lab studies conducted in Europe. Similarly, a sunscreen that was advertised as having an SPF of 30 was found to have an actual SPF of 10.

This sparked outrage among consumers and caused many to question the quality and safety of Korean sunscreens. The Korean FDA (Food and Drug Administration) launched an investigation into the matter and found that several sunscreen manufacturers had provided false SPF ratings on their products.

The Korean FDA then issued a recall of several sunscreens that had been found to have incorrect SPF ratings. The manufacturers of these sunscreens were fined, and several were forced to halt production. The Korean FDA also announced that it would be implementing stricter regulations and guidelines for sunscreen manufacturers to ensure that consumers are receiving accurate SPF ratings.

The scandal caused a lot of damage to the reputation of Korean sunscreens and the Korean beauty industry as a whole. However, it also led to a renewed focus on transparency and accountability in the industry, which has ultimately lead to better and safer .

Is Korean Sunscreen Better?

To date, there is no evidence showing that Korean sunscreens are superior to other sunscreens, but there are many reasons why they are preferred.

Lightweight and Non-Greasy

One of the biggest complaints people have about sunscreen is that it can be heavy and greasy, leaving a white cast on the skin. However, Korean sunscreens are lightweight and non-greasy, making them perfect for everyday use. They absorb quickly into the skin, leaving no residue or white cast behind. And because they don’t leave a chalky white residue, they’re often the preferred brands for people of colour.

High SPF

Korean sunscreens typically have a higher SPF than other sunscreens. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it measures how long a sunscreen will protect your skin from UV rays. The higher the SPF, the longer your skin will be protected. Korean sunscreens typically have an SPF of 50 or higher, which provides maximum protection.

Skin Benefits

Korean sunscreens not only protect your skin from UV rays but also provide additional skin benefits. Many Korean sunscreens contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which can hydrate and plump the skin. Some also contain antioxidants, which can protect the skin from environmental damage.

Easy to Reapply

One of the most important things about sunscreen is reapplication. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours for maximum protection. Korean sunscreens are designed to be easy to reapply, even over makeup. Many Korean sunscreens come in convenient packaging, like cushion compacts or sprays, making it easy to reapply throughout the day.

Korean Sunscreens vs American Sunscreens

Which is better?

It has been nearly two decades since the last sunscreen ingredient was approved by the United States. This is due to the fact that sunscreens are classified as over-the-counter drugs, thereby coming under the purview of the FDA for regulation. However, in several other countries, such as Korea, sunscreens are considered as cosmetics, providing manufacturers with a wider range of ingredients to choose from.

Korea places significant emphasis on sunscreen due to its rapidly evolving market and focus on innovation in terms of new ingredient combinations. Korean brands utilize the Protection Grade of UVA Rays (PA) system, which not only discloses the SPF value for UVB protection but also identifies the degree of UVA ray protection. In contrast, U.S. brands are not required to specify the level of UVA protection provided, and instead use the term “broad spectrum” to indicate coverage against both UVA and UVB rays.