Everyone knows the battle with sunscreen and acne-prone pores and skin. You set it on, hoping for defense, however find yourself with a greasy face or worse, a breakout. Korean sunscreen for acne-prone pores and skin is beginning to get some severe consideration, however why? It’s not nearly getting that SPF. There’s one thing in the best way these sunscreens are made that makes them a greater match for acne-prone pores and skin. Maintain studying, and I’ll present you why Korean sunscreens may truly be the reply you’ve been on the lookout for and greatest Korean sunscreen for acne-prone pores and skin (greatest choices!):
Western VS Korean Sunscreens: What’s The Distinction
First, a fast science refresher: sunscreen often is available in two varieties, chemical or mineral (nicely, technical mineral sunscreens are chemical too. EVERYTHING is a chemical, together with water. However this terminology has caught, so let’s use it):
- Chemical sunscreens: These use artificial UV filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone that take in UV rays and convert them into warmth. They’re lighter and infrequently don’t go away a white solid. But, these get a foul rep as a result of a few of these UV filters have been discovered within the bloodstream, can irritate delicate pores and skin, and even break down beneath the solar. (translation = they cease being efficient after a number of quick hours). For acne-prone pores and skin, this is usually a drawback. Any kind of irritation, whether or not trigger by UV filters or unproductive solar publicity (since you’re hanging out along with your girlfriends pondering you’re protected from the solar when the difficult bugger has stopped working 2 hours in the past!) can set off irritation – the principle supply of zits!
- Mineral sunscreens: Additionally known as bodily sunscreens, they use minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Don’t imagine the parable they bodily block UV rays. Sure, they do scatter away some UV rays, however largely they take in them and convert them into warmth too. The excellent news? They often don’t irritate pores and skin. The catch? They will really feel thick, go away a white solid, and be more durable to rub in – plus, they will clog pores for those who’re not cautious (a giant negative effects for acne-prone pores and skin).
You’d suppose everybody had entry to the identical UV filters. Not fairly. The FDA takes centuries to approve new UV filters, so American sunscreens solely have entry to mineral and old-generation chemical filters. One of the best Korean sunscreens, similar to European sunscreens, have entry to the next-gen chemical filters like Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus. They:
- Present wonderful safety from UVA rays (solely Avobenzone does this from the previous technology of chemical sunscreens)
- Don’t often irritate pores and skin
- Last more beneath daylight
- Are much less oily and don’t go away a greasy mess behind
- Don’t clog pores
All issues that make them splendid for acne-prone pores and skin.
Associated: Chemical VS Bodily Sunscreen: The whole lot You Want To Know
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FAQs About Korean Sunscreens
What can Korean sunscreens do?
Korean sunscreens present excessive, broad-spectrum safety with out clogging pores. Manufacturers will promise you miracle, however whether or not they do something additional (like calming down redness or preventing wrinkles), relies upon from the remainder of the components. You realize me, I choose sunscreens wealthy with antioxidants to maintain extra effective strains at bay. Verify the labels!
What can’t Korean sunscreens for acne-prone pores and skin do?
Watch out for manufacturers that promise their sunscreens will magically clear up your zits. Certain, in the event that they include acne-fighting substances, like salicylic acid or tea tree oil, they’ll assist maintain breakdowns at bay. Most sunscreens don’t.
Who ought to use Korean sunscreens?
Anybody can use Korean sunscreens. I particularly advocate them to delicate AND acne-prone pores and skin as a result of they supply safety from each UVA and UVB rays with out feeling such as you’re carrying a masks or inflicting irritations.
How usually do you have to use Korean sunscreens?
As usually as every other sunscreen. Daily, no excuses. Solar injury is sneaky, so even when it’s cloudy, nonetheless put it on. Reapply each 2 hours for those who’re out within the solar or sweating.
Are there any negative effects to utilizing Korean sunscreens?
Not likely, until you’re allergic to one thing in it. If it begins to sting or really feel bizarre, cease utilizing it. However for essentially the most half, these are fairly chill and gained’t mess along with your zits. Simply maintain an eye fixed out for something that feels off and patch-test first for those who’re frightened.
How do you utilize it?
It’s easy, actually. Slap it on after your skincare, like moisturizer, however don’t be stingy. You want at the very least 1/3 of a teaspoon to your total face and neck. Don’t overlook to get your neck and ears too! And reapply each couple of hours for those who’re exterior or sweaty.
What are the very best Korean manufacturers for sunscreen?
This relies. Each model has its gems and its duds. I’m keen on Corsx and Purito. They work extraordinarily nicely and are simpler to get on-line.
What’s The Finest Korean Sunscreen For Zits Inclined Pores and skin?
I can’t choose only one! As an alternative, I’ll inform you the very best Okay-beauty sunscreens at the moment obtainable for acne-prone pores and skin varieties, so you’ll be able to select the one which makes your pores and skin essentially the most completely happy. Listed below are my high picks:
Hero Cosmetics Power Protect Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 ($19.99)
In case your pores and skin breaks out simply by a sunscreen, Hero Cosmetics Power Protect Superlight SPF 30 is perhaps your new BFF. This one’s a 100% mineral components with zinc oxide (nice for acne-prone pores and skin because it sits on high of your pores and skin as a substitute of sinking in and beginning drama), plus a inexperienced tint to cancel out redness with out making you appear to be a ghost. It’s silicone-free, fragrance-free, and tremendous light-weight, so none of that thick, greasy mess that clogs pores and makes your face really feel prefer it’s carrying a winter coat in July. Ingredient-wise, it’s stacked with soothing extras like ectoin and a “Inexperienced Surge” complicated stuffed with calming plant stuff. Bonus: it’s reef-safe and doesn’t make you shiny or itchy. The one catch? It’d tablet for those who layer it too quick over heavy skincare, so give it a sec to settle. In any other case, this one’s a strong sure for shiny, delicate, or breakout-prone pores and skin that often hates sunscreen.
Obtainable at: Hero Cosmetics, Soko Glam, and Ulta
Lively Components: 17.53% Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano) and plant extracts
Advantages: Protects from UV rays, fights free radicals and soothes irritations.
Cons: It might tablet for those who don’t give your moisturiser sufficient time to settle earlier than making use of it.
Pores and skin kind: All pores and skin varieties.
Perfume-free: Sure
AXIS-Y Full No-Stress Bodily Sunscreen (£20.50)
AXIS-Y Full No-Stress Bodily Sunscreen is a zinc oxide-based mineral sunscreen with a heavy silicone base, so it spreads like a dream, smooths over texture, and doesn’t go away you trying greasy or ghostly. It’s not filled with actives, and it’s not pretending to be a full-blown remedy product. This one’s about providing you with strong SPF safety with out irritating your pores and skin or clogging your pores. You’ve acquired hyaluronic acid in there for a little bit of hydration, and a sprinkle of antioxidants like inexperienced tea, calendula, and grape seed extract for some additional skin-calming assist, however they’re undoubtedly extra supporting solid than lead position. Identical with the niacinamide. It’s in there, however decrease down the checklist, so don’t count on main brightening or oil management. What you do get is a dependable, non-irritating, fragrance-free components that layers nicely, wears comfortably, and truly works with delicate, breakout-prone pores and skin as a substitute of creating issues worse.
Obtainable at: Stylevana and Sure Type
Lively Components: Zinc oxide, niacinamide, and inexperienced tea.
Advantages: Supplies broad spectrum safety and makes pores and skin softer and smoother.
Cons: When you don’t like silicones, this isn’t for you.
Pores and skin kind: Oily, acne-prone, and mixture pores and skin.
Perfume-free: Sure
Associated: Do Silicones Suffocate Pores and skin?
COSRX Extremely Gentle Invisible Sunscreen SPF50 PA++++ ($16.00)
COSRX Extremely Gentle Invisible Sunscreen SPF50 PA++++ is for the acne-prone girlies who need full safety with out feeling like they’ve simply greased up for a rotisserie. It’s a chemical sunscreen, however a brilliant chill one – none of these old-school filters that sting or make your pores and skin freak out. The UV filters right here? Fashionable and delicate: issues like Ethylhexyl Triazone and Uvinul A Plus (don’t fear concerning the names, they’re strong, secure, and don’t break you out). Texture-wise, these items is skinny, invisible, and sinks in quick because of all of the silicones within the combine. Assume silky, not slippery. As for extras: there’s witch hazel and aloe leaf water to calm your pores and skin, a contact of niacinamide (not sufficient to do severe heavy lifting, however nonetheless good to have), and sodium hyaluronate for gentle hydration. Plus a touch of vitamin E for antioxidant backup. No white solid, no pilling, no drama. Simply strong SPF that doesn’t mess along with your pores and skin.
Obtainable at: Sure Type
Lively Components: Ethylhexyl Triazone, Uvinul A Plus, niacinamide, and aloe vera.
Advantages: Supplies invisible solar safety and delicate soothing properties.
Cons: I want it had extra antioxidants.
Pores and skin kind: All pores and skin varieties.
Perfume-free: Sure.
The Purito Comfortable Contact Sunscreen (£16.00)
Purito Comfortable Contact Sunscreen is likely one of the few chemical sunscreens that doesn’t really feel like sunscreen in any respect. It’s tremendous light-weight, velvety, and mainly disappears into your pores and skin – no grease, no movie, no “did I simply put plastic wrap on my face?” feeling. That’s because of the silicone base, which provides it that clean, primer-like end acne-prone pores and skin tends to like (particularly for those who’re coping with texture or leftover marks). The filters are all new-gen chemical filters (like Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S), which implies: excessive safety, low irritation, and no clogged pores. However what actually makes this work for breakout-prone pores and skin is what isn’t in it (no perfume, no alcohol, no heavy oils) and what’s in it: a lightweight contact of ceramides to maintain your barrier sturdy, and calming substances like centella and panthenol that assist take down redness with out including any heaviness.
Obtainable at: Look Implausible, Stylevana, Superdrug, and Sure Type
Lively substances: Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S, and ceramides.
Advantages: Supplies broad UV spectrum and soothes pores and skin.
Cons: Quite simple components.
Pores and skin kind: All pores and skin varieties.
Perfume-free: Sure.
Great thing about Joseon Aid Solar Aqua-Contemporary (£14.00)
Great thing about Joseon Aid Solar: Rice + Probiotics (aka the Aqua-fresh one) is the sunscreen that will get hyped for a motive. It appears like a light-weight moisturizer – slippy, hydrating, zero white solid – after which oh yeah, it’s SPF50+ PA++++ too. So that you’re getting full solar safety with out your pores and skin throwing a tantrum. It’s a chemical sunscreen, however a mild one. No alcohol, no perfume, no filters that sting your eyes. What’s in it? A load of rice extract, which sounds cute however truly helps calm your pores and skin and assist your barrier – aka fewer flare-ups, much less redness, and pores and skin that doesn’t freak out when the climate adjustments. Plus it layers like a dream, doesn’t tablet, and makes your pores and skin look recent with out feeling greasy. When you’re acne-prone, oily, delicate, or simply uninterested in sunscreens that really feel like punishment, this one’s a simple win.
Obtainable at: Magnificence Bay, Look Implausible, Superdrug, and Sure Type
Lively Components: Uvinul T 150, Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX, and rice extract.
Advantages: Supplies broad-spectrum solar safety and hydrates.
Cons: When you choose mineral sunscreens, this isn’t it.
Pores and skin varieties: All pores and skin varieties, together with dry pores and skin.
Perfume-free: Sure
ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Ethereal Solar Stick (£25.90)
SNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Ethereal Solar Stick is likely one of the few sunscreen sticks that doesn’t really feel gross. It glides on tremendous clean (because of all of the silicones), leaves zero white solid, and retains your pores and skin feeling gentle as a substitute of greasy. It’s acquired a bunch of hyaluronic acid in it too, so your pores and skin stays hydrated with out turning into an oil slick. No scent, no stinging, no drama.
However actually? It’s not nice as your foremost SPF. You’d need to swipe like 20 instances to get sufficient, it’s straightforward to overlook spots, and it begins to really feel heavy for those who truly strive. It’s greatest as a fast top-up – over make-up, across the eyes, or once you simply don’t need sunscreen throughout your fingers.
Obtainable at: Boots, Stylevana, Superdrug, and Sure Type
Lively Components: Homosalata, Octinoxate, Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S, and hyaluronic acid.
Advantages: Nice for touchups.
Cons: You want loads of layers to get the SPF said on the bottle.
Pores and skin varieties: All pores and skin varieties.
Perfume-free: Sure
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Match Solar Serum
SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Match Solar Serum is the type of facial sunscreen that makes you overlook you’re even carrying sunscreen. It goes on like a lightweight gel-serum – no white solid, no stickiness, no gross movie sitting in your face. Excellent for those who’re oily, acne-prone, or simply over SPF that appears like a chore. The end is dewy (not greasy) and layers nice beneath make-up or on naked pores and skin. It’s loaded with centella asiatica extract to calm your pores and skin down and hyaluronic acid for hydration, however let’s be actual, it’s extra of a pleasant bonus than a full-blown remedy. The true win is how snug it feels and the way unlikely it’s to mess along with your pores and skin. It’s not making an attempt to be fancy. It simply works for pores and skin that will get pissed off simply.
Obtainable at: Magnificence Bay, Boots, Stylevana, Superdrug, and Sure Type
Lively Components: Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Centella Asiatica and antioxidants
Advantages: Protects from UV gentle and rays, prevents wrinkles, and calms down irritations.
Cons: When you choose mineral sunscreens, this isn’t for you.
Pores and skin varieties: All pores and skin varieties.
Perfume-free: Sure.
Haruharu Marvel Black Rice Mineral Sunscreen
Haruharu Marvel Black Rice Mineral Sunscreen is a bodily (mineral) sunscreen that’s surprisingly wearable – particularly for acne-prone or delicate pores and skin. It makes use of non-nano zinc oxide for UV safety, which implies it sits on high of your pores and skin (much less danger of irritation or breakouts), and it’s acquired a light-weight, lotion-y texture that blends higher than most mineral SPFs. There’s a little bit of a white solid, particularly in case you have deeper pores and skin, however it’s not chalky or thick. The components consists of black rice extract for a little bit antioxidant enhance and a few barrier-loving extras like niacinamide and glycerin, however let’s be sincere – it’s not doing essentially the most within the skincare division. The true motive to succeed in for that is in case your pores and skin’s reactive and chemical filters are a no-go. It’s not invisible, however it’s light, non-comedogenic, and it gained’t begin a breakout spiral.
Obtainable at: Magnificence Bay, Stylevana, Superdrug, and Sure Type
Lively Components: Zinc oxide and niacinamide
Advantages: Mild broad spectrum safety that protects from pores and skin most cancers and wrinkles.
Cons: Can go away a white solid on darker pores and skin tones.
Pores and skin varieties: Finest for delicate, acne-prone pores and skin and dry pores and skin with zits.
Perfume-free: Sure.
Innisfree Each day UV Safety Cream (£22.00)
Innisfree Each day UV Protection Sunscreen is a chemical sunscreen that appears like skincare. It’s gentle, hydrating, and glides on like a primary moisturizer – no white solid, no pilling, no bizarre SPF odor. Excellent in case your pores and skin freaks out simply otherwise you simply need one thing that doesn’t really feel like a chore. It’s acquired inexperienced tea, cica, and sunflower seed oil to calm your pores and skin down, however let’s be sincere, it’s not a powerhouse serum. It’s easy, cozy, and does the job for day-to-day metropolis life. Simply don’t count on it to carry up throughout a sweaty hike or seaside day. It’s extra “seize a espresso and sit at your laptop computer” than “outdoorsy journey.”
Obtainable at: Magnificence Bay, Boots, Cult Magnificence, Sephora, SpaceNK
Lively Components: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Centella Asiatica, and sunflower seed oil
Advantages: Supplies safety from dangerous UV rays.
Cons: Not appropriate for delicate pores and skin.
Pores and skin varieties: Oily, mixture, acne-prone
Perfume-free: Sure.
Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Match Sunscreen (£19.50)
Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Match Sunscreen feels extra like a hydrating gel-cream than a sunscreen. It’s tremendous light-weight, sinks in quick, and offers your pores and skin that wholesome, dewy glow – no white solid, no greasy mess. Nice in case your pores and skin leans delicate or dehydrated, because of hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide for a little bit of brightening, and centella to maintain issues calm. However heads up: it is a each day SPF, not beach-day armor. It’s good for gentle solar publicity, like errands, espresso runs, or desk days. However don’t rely on it to carry up throughout a sweaty hike or hours exterior. It’s your “on a regular basis chill” sunscreen, not your “I’m roasting within the solar” one.
Obtainable at: Stylevana, and Sure Type
Lively Components: Homosalate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, Avobenzone and pores and skin soothers
Advantages: Supplies broad spectrum safety and calms down irritations
Cons: Comprises the previous technology of chemical sunscreens
Pores and skin varieties: Oily and acne-prone
Perfume-free: No
The Verdict
In search of a brand new sunscreen? When you’ve acquired acne-prone pores and skin, Korean sunscreens are just about a game-changer. They defend you from the solar with out clogging your pores or leaving your face feeling like an oil slick. Plus, they’re gentle, breathable, and often filled with great things to assuage your pores and skin. Now you recognize what essentially the most advisable Korean sunscreen areas, you may make a terrific alternative to your pores and skin.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – day-after-day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you work out what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create the very best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.