10 Best Korean Sunscreens for Oily Skin in 2021 (Aesthetician-Reviewed)

Devan Jesmer is a beauty content creator and licensed aesthetician who creates content centered around all things beauty, with her main focus being skincare. Through her industry insight, honest reviews, and educational content, her goal is to help her clients and others navigate the constant influx of products and information in the beauty industry, and achieve their skin goals.

She runs a blog and Instagram (@devsday) where she talks about new products and posts unfiltered reviews so that anyone looking can get advice on what to buy next.

If you're feeling overwhelmed after browsing the Internet, don't stress out. We've narrowed down the most effective sunscreens based on reviews, ingredients, and effectiveness. All of them are formulated differently to help you control sebum production, prevent clogged pores, and so on. So check them out! 

※Please note that these products were not picked by Devan Jesmer, but chosen through extensive research and by combing through customer reviews by our staff at mybest.

While our top three picks are great all around, these seven other choices are good picks for specific concerns, such as excess oil production, irritated skin, and full-body protection.

Now, it's time to decide which sunscreen works the best for you. To make the decision process much easier for you, we've compiled various tips regarding the UV protection level of a product, the ingredients that work wonderfully for oily skin, and so on. 

Similar to American sunscreens, Korean ones are crafted with either chemical or mineral filters. Some chemical blockers such as oxybenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene that are commonly found in American products are also used in some Korean counterparts. 

Without a doubt, those UV filters are highly effective and can help absorb the UV rays before they can penetrate your skin. But unfortunately, those chemical filters might cause skin irritation, particularly to those who have sensitive skin or are dealing with skin problems like rosacea, eczema, or melasma.

If you fall into those categories, be extra careful! Or you can switch to other chemical UV filters like tinosorb and mexoryl, which are frequently used in Korean products but not American ones. But once you know them, you'll understand why Korean beauty fanatics rave about them.

While most chemical filters can protect your skin from either UVA or UVB rays, those two can shield your skin against both types of rays. Tinosorb in particular won't degrade under sunlight and actually helps stabilize other UV blockers.

Meanwhile, mexoryl can help prevent premature skin aging to keep your skin completely free from wrinkles and fine lines. Importantly, both kinds are not absorbed through the skin and haven't been associated with any health consequences.

Many Korean sunscreens are also formulated with common mineral blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They create a physical barrier on the skin to reflect all the sun rays.

One disadvantage of these mineral filers is that they tend to leave behind a white cast. Nevertheless, they are absolutely gentle on the skin and can take effect almost immediately.

When looking at the packaging of your sunscreen, you'll see confusing stuff like "PA++++" and "PA+++". So what's the deal with that? Basically, these PA ratings measure how well a sunscreen can protect your skin from UVA rays which have been reported to cause premature aging and even skin cancer. 

As a rule of thumb, the more plus signs, the stronger your sunscreen is against UVA rays. And there are four different levels: PA+ means that your sunscreen provides some UVA protection, PA++ indicates moderate protection, PA+++ is high protection, and PA++++ show extremely high protection. 

It's recommended that you choose a sunscreen with at least PA+++ for optimal protection against UVA rays. 

You are probably familiar with SPF (Sun Protection Factor), a system that is commonly used in American sunscreens to denote how effectively a sunscreen can fight off UVB rays. Similarly, Korean sunscreens use SPF number to demonstrate the UVB protection level as well. So why is shielding your skin against UVB rays crucial? 

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVB rays can lead to sunburn, damage to your cellular DNA, and might even cause skin cancer. So it's highly important that you pick a product with the right SPF level. SPF levels range widely from 15 up to 100. 

And Korean sunscreens are often equipped with SPF50, which can block approximately 98 percent of UVB rays and is great for extended outdoor activities. 

But bear in mind that no matter how high the SPF number is, no sunscreens can shield your skin completely from UVB rays. 

So if you're looking for more protection, make sure to wear sun-protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. Re-apply your sunscreen every two hours as well, since the effect might disappear then.

And for those who tend to sweat a lot or often do intense activities such as swimming and running, look for a water-resistant product since sunscreens can be washed off easily with sweat and water. But always keep in mind to re-apply!

Korean sunscreens are often enriched with many skin-loving ingredients that can help nourish and condition your skin. If you're battling with oily skin and issues such as acne breakouts, check to see if the product contains effective ingredients for your skin condition. 

In this section, we'll provide you with some fantastic ingredients that are commonly found in Korean sunscreens and help with oily skin. 

Sebum is the waxy substance that helps moisturize and protect your skin. Although it's crucial in keeping the skin healthy, excessive sebum might lead to oily skin, clogged pores, and trigger acne breakouts.

If you have oily skin, you might want to look for ingredients such as panthenol and beta-glucan to help you control sebum production. 

They also act as soothing agents to fade away skin imperfections and facilitate the natural healing process of your skin. So if you're struggling with acne scars, these ingredients also do the trick! They can also accelerate collagen production to improve skin elasticity. 

Niacinamide also works wonders for oily skin! Korean sunscreens and beauty products in general often harness the power of this antioxidant to help minimize your pores and reduce the oil level of your skin. In addition, it helps strengthen the skin's protective barrier and brighten your complexion as well.

Peppermint leaf extract is another savior for oily skin. It prevents your pores from being clogged with oil, dirt, and impurities and also controls excessive oil secretion.

Those with oily skin often have large pores and are prone to acne breakouts. So if you're struggling with those issues, try to find ingredients that can thoroughly cleanse and tighten your pores. 

Some of the effective ingredients that you'll find in Korean sunscreens include chrysanthemum, lime, lemongrass, and apple mint extracts. They are effective astringents and can help reduce enlarged pores while providing antioxidant benefits to target your skin blemishes like fine lines and wrinkles. 

Green tea extract, eucalyptus leaf extract, and stearic acid are some other magical ingredients for your oily skin, as they are loaded with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to clear away stubborn impurities and dead skin cells that are oftentimes the main causes behind clogged pores and breakouts. 

Korean sunscreens often have a lightweight texture that won't weigh you down or add more oil to the skin like their creamy American counterparts. However, just to make sure that a product truly works for your oily skin, check the reviewers' comments to see if it leaves behind any greasy residue or not. 

The safest choice for you would probably be a watery sunscreen that can sink right into the skin. Some Korean products also come in a gel form which might feel somewhat sticky at first. But if they absorb quickly, then you won't have to worry too much! 

Some sunscreens might produce white streaks on the skin. If you have a dark skin tone, try to go for something that don't have a ghosting effect. 

You need to apply 1/4 a teaspoon for the face and ears and another 1/4 a teaspoon for your neck. A good trick is using about three finger lengths of SPF, which equates to about 1/4 a teaspoon. Reapplying at least two times throughout the day is important, and if you are outside actively in the sun or in the water, every 90 minutes to two hours is essential.

Even if you're staying indoors all day, UVA rays still penetrate through windows so its a good practice and a good habit to apply SPF every day. Think about a quick walk outside to get your mail. All of those moments add up over time for cumulative sun damage.

Looking for other sunscreen options? Krave Beauty, founded by influencer Liah Yoo, who once worked in the Korean beauty scene, has created a serum-like sunscreen that works wonders for sun protection. Beauty blogger Annie highly recommends it. 

Choosing beauty products for oily skin is not easy, since you'll have to make sure that they're lightweight, fast-absorbing, and won't clog your pores or turn your skin into a greasy mess. If you don't know which product fits the bill, we have some suggestions for you!

There are various reasons why Korean sunscreens can do wonders for oily skin. They often have a lightweight consistency that won't clog your pores or add extra oil to your face. Many are even formulated with ingredients that can control sebum secretion while nourishing your skin such as panthenol and beta-glucan. So look for them! 

Hopefully, our buying guide and top 10 best products are able to help you choose the right Korean sunscreen!

Author: Thuy Nguyen

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