The Best Affordable Korean Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)
Featured Image by Angela Zhong

You guys asked, and we’re delivering! We selected the best affordable sunscreens from Korea that are weightless and perfect for becoming solid staples in your summer skincare routine. Best of all, they’re all non-greasy and great for all skin types and tones! 

What makes Sunscreens Invisible?

The magic lies in the sunscreen filters! While sunscreens with mineral filters (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) are notorious for giving off a white cast and ashy complexion, sunscreens with chemical filters don’t have this problem. The good news is that Korean sunscreens usually have advanced formulations that help give you that invisible sunscreen and skin-like appearance, no matter the skin tone!

What’s the Best Sunblock for Your Face?

Lightweight and Invisible sunscreens | The Best Affordable Korean Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)

With so many options, the best sunblock for your face would be the one you enjoy applying daily. Since sunscreens with at least SPF30 already do a great job preventing sun damage, you can choose your favorite product based on texture and finish. The more accessible and comfortable it is to apply, the better sunscreen is for your skin!

Here’s the list of Best Affordable Sunscreens from Korean

Best Overall Affordable Sunscreen From Korea

Numbuzin No. 1 Clear Filter Sun Essence

Numbuzin No. 1 Clear Filter Sun Essence | The Best K-Beauty Invisible Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)

**You can use code “BEAUTYWITHIN” for 10% off your purchase!

Protection: SPF 50+ PA++++

UV Filters: Chemical 

Texture: Lightweight Gel to Water-cream

Finish: Radiant

Other key ingredients: Licorice Root Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract (for soothing)

Best for: Sensitive skin

Description:

One of the main concerns for chemical sunscreen is its tendency to irritate sensitive skin (and eyeballs). The good news is that Korean sunscreens like Numbuzin are getting better at protecting sensitive skin without irritation. 

This weightless gel-type sunscreen hydrates, calms, and refreshes the skin without pilling or leaving behind a white cast. The nongreasy sunscreen is also non-comedogenic, reef-friendly, and benzophenone and octinoxate-free, so you can rest assured if you’re worried about these non-negotiables. 

Our review:

“This sunscreen is so smooth and completely invisible! It doesn’t even catch onto my hair or make my face pasty. There’s also an ingredient that gives the finish a soft and focused look, making my face look radiant without being shiny, oily, or greasy. I can see why this sunscreen’s popular; it just became my new favorite for applying this summer!” 

Best Affordable Sunscreen for Dry & Mature Skin

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum | The Best K-Beauty Invisible Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)

**You can use code “BEAUTYWITHIN” for 10% off your purchase!

Protection: SPF50+ PA++++ 

UV Filters: Chemical (Avobenzone free)

Texture: Thick gel-essence serum

Finish: Moist and fresh

Other key ingredients: 30% Ginseng extract, 2% niacinamide

Best for: Dry, dehydrated; mature skin 

Description:

Leave it to Korean Sunscreens to give us innovative formulations! Beauty of Joseon is no stranger to creating formulations that protect and have pleasant textures for easy application. 

That’s why their latest product is a chemical sunscreen-serum hybrid infused with saponins from ginseng extract and niacinamide to firm and brighten up the complexion. The texture is a refreshing, lightweight gel serum that blends easily into the skin and leaves a healthy, dewy glow behind. 

Our Review:

“When you first apply this serum, it has this water-bursting effect where it feels lightweight and completely sinks into the skin. However, the finish is what surprised me the most! It’s glowy, dewy, and leaves behind a skin-like finish that brings to mind the Rice + Probiotics sunscreen. I love how hydrated and nourished it makes my skin feel without giving off a white cast, and doesn’t pill when I apply makeup.” 

Best Affordable Sunscreen for Oily & Combination Skin

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Sunscreen

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Sunscreen | The Best K-Beauty Invisible Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)

**You can use code “BEAUTYWITHIN” for 10% off your purchase!

Protection: SPF50+ PA++++ 

UV Filters: Chemical (octinoxate free; oxybenzone free)

Texture: Airy soft and lightweight cream

Finish: Seamless satin; semi-matte

Other key ingredients: Black rice oil, black rice extract, ceramide NP, Heartleaf Extract, Adenosine, Niacinamide

Best for: Combination; oily; dry skin

Description

If you’re prone to extra shine and oil as you go about your day, this chemical sunscreen can be a great staple to turn to. The Haruharu Wonder Airyfit sunscreen is lightweight, comfortable, and acts as your “second skin” to protect against sun damage without excess shine or pilling. We also love that this sunscreen includes fermented black rice – Haruharu’s signature ingredient – to maintain skin hydration and elasticity as you go about your day. 

Our Review:

“Haruharu wasn’t kidding when they called this sunscreen “Airyfit”! The soft and creamy texture makes this sunscreen feel like a light moisturizer that sinks into the skin with a silky finish. I also appreciate that this sunscreen is fragrance-free and essential-oil free, which makes it perfect for even the most sensitive skin to enjoy without worrying about irritation. Hands down, one of the best sunscreen products to launch this year!” 

Best Affordable Sunscreen for All Skin Types

Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen

Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen | The Best K-Beauty Invisible Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)

**You can use code “BEAUTYWITHIN” for 10% off your purchase!

Protection: SPF 50+ PA++++ (Broad spectrum protection)

UV Filters: Chemical 

Texture: Fast-absorbing & lightweight gel cream

Finish: Comfortable, soft-matte; radiant (silica free)

Other key ingredients: Alpha bisabolol (from chamomile), tocopherol (Vitamin E), panthenol, ceramides, cholesterol 

Best for: Normal, combination, oily skin types

Description

Vegan, hypoallergenic, and fast-absorbing? Purito delivers! Built alongside the community, the Daily Soft Touch sunscreen is a comfortable daily sunscreen with a soft and silky texture that makes application a breeze, no matter what skin type or tone you are. The sunscreen incorporates powerful chemical UV filters that help minimize potential irritation, while ceramides help to fortify the skin barrier for healthy skin. 

Our Review:

“I love how this sunscreen is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and has a lightweight formula! Unlike other sunscreens, which seem to come off as oil once you touch your face, this baby keeps your skin comfortable and matte! I find that this sunscreen still gives off a glowy look, especially when I’m wearing makeup out in the hot summer weather, but my skin doesn’t look overly dewy. Overall, I can see this sunscreen as a great daily option, especially if you tend to go out without makeup!” 

Best Affordable Sunscreens for Oily, Sensitive Skin & Makeup Users

Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream

Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream | The Best K-Beauty Invisible Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)

**You can use code “BEAUTYWITHIN” for 10% off your purchase!

Protection: SPF 50+ PA++++

UV Filters: Chemical 

Texture: Smooth and silky gel cream

Finish: Radiant, semi-matte, and slightly dewy “second skin”

Other key ingredients: Houttuynia cordata, panthenol

Best for: Oily, combination; makeup users

Description:

We can always appreciate a multi-tasking product; this sunscreen does just that. Along with sun protection, this sun cream soothes, calms, and hydrates skin, controls sebum production, sits well under foundation, and even helps to prolong your makeup – in one! The sunscreen blends wonderfully and doesn’t leave skin looking overly dewy or glowing, which is a plus! 

Our Review:

“I’m surprised that not many people know about this sunscreen – it’s seriously underrated! The texture is smooth and silky, blends beautifully, and leaves my dehydrated, acne-prone, and oily summer skin protected and refreshed! I love that this settles nicely into a semi-matte and remains comfortable throughout the day. I just found my next holy grail sunscreen!”

Best Affordable Sunscreen for Normal to Combination Skin

Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water Fit Sun Serum

Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water Fit Sun Serum | The Best K-Beauty Invisible Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)

**You can use code “BEAUTYWITHIN” for 10% off your purchase!

Protection: SPF 50+ PA++++

UV Filters: Chemical  (Avobenzone free; octinoxate free; oxybenzone free)

Texture: Lightweight and hydrating primer

Finish: Dewy; glass skin-like

Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, niacinamide, green tea extract

Best for: Normal; dehydrated and dry; combination skin

Description:

If you’re looking for a summer sunscreen that refreshes with every application, this one is perfect for reaching for! As the name mentions, this product has a refreshing watery serum texture that makes it easy to apply and leaves skin feeling hydrated and radiant from the inside out. 

In addition to hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica (hence “Hyalu-Cica”), this serum infuses niacinamide, green tea leaf extract, and tocopherol to give your skin a boost of nutrients. You can even use this as a sunscreen and primer in one to give your skin a flawless base for your makeup step!

Our Review:

“I absolutely love how weightless this sunscreen feels on my face! The sunscreen feels like a hydrating primer that I can confidently wear under my makeup without pilling. Applying it feels like a refreshing burst of water perfect for the hot and humid summer weather. I did notice this sunscreen leaves my face looking dewier than the rest of the sunscreens, but if you don’t mind, this baby’s worth a try!” 

Best Sunscreen for Dry & Dehydrated Skin

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream (2021 Version)

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream 2021 Version | The Best K-Beauty Invisible Sunscreens to Buy This Summer (2023)

**You can use code “SHOPBW” for 10% off your purchase!

Protection: SPF 50+ PA++++

UV Filters: Chemical

Texture: Soft and creamy; lightweight hydrating lotion

Finish: Moisturized and healthy dewy 

Other key ingredients: Birch Sap, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ascorbic acid, adenosine, licorice extract

Best for: Dehydrated and dry; sensitive; combination skin; oily

Description

This Round Lab sunscreen went through a lot, but it’s back stronger and better than ever! This lightweight sunscreen has a mild formula and an elegant texture that applies comfortably without irritating the skin. 

Along with the birch sap to help moisturize and hydrate the skin, this baby also includes hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ascorbic acid, adenosine, and licorice extract to brighten up the complexion for a healthy glow. 

Our Review:

“There’s a reason why this sunscreen’s won many awards and continues to be a bestseller! It’s probably one of the MOST lightweight sunscreens I have had the pleasure of applying to my face. I love how the essence-gel texture glides onto my skin and leaves my skin feeling fresh, soothed, and calm. I did find that this sunscreen makes my oily skin dewier than I’d liked after a while, but it doesn’t make me overly glowing or look like there’s a greasy sheen. I can see this perfect for dry skin types too!”

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