Korean sunscreens: How to choose the best sunscreen for you?

Korean sunscreens have become favorites in skincare worldwide.
They are especially appreciated for their light textures, the high protection they offer, and for feeling more like skincare than traditional sunscreen. Therefore, they are easy to integrate into the daily skincare routine and work great even under makeup.

But what do the SPF and PA++++ ratings really mean? And what is the difference between chemical and mineral-based sunscreens?

In this guide, we cover:

• how to choose the best Korean sunscreen

• what the SPF and PA ratings mean

• which sunscreen suits different skin types 
  
  

SPF and PA ratings, what do they mean?

Most people are familiar with the SPF rating. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) indicates how well a sunscreen protects the skin against the sun's UVB radiation, which causes sunburn. SPF mainly measures protection against UVB, not total UV protection.

The SPF value is based on laboratory tests where sunscreen is applied to the skin and the amount of UV radiation the skin can tolerate before it starts to redden is measured. Simply put, SPF shows how much more UV radiation the skin can be exposed to without burning compared to without sunscreen. However, SPF does not indicate exactly how long you can stay in the sun without burning, as UV levels vary depending on the time of day and surroundings.

In Korean sunscreens, besides the SPF rating, you will also find the PA rating, which stands for “Protection Grade of UVA.” It is a scale that measures the level of protection against UVA radiation. UVA rays are longer than UVB rays and cause less sunburn but have a significant impact on premature skin aging, among other effects.

The best protection is therefore achieved by choosing a product with both high SPF and high PA level. The higher the PA value, the better the sunscreen protects against UVA radiation:

PA+: low UVA protection
PA++: moderate UVA protection
PA+++: good UVA protection
PA++++: very high UVA protection

SPF 15: protects against 93% of the sun's UV radiation
SPF 30: protects against 97% of the sun's UV radiation
SPF 50: protects against 98% of the sun's UV radiation

We recommend always choosing a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to get sufficient protection, and most Korean products have SPF 50, so your skin is guaranteed to be as well protected as possible.

Make sure your product is labeled either broad spectrum SPF or has both SPF and PA ratings!

 

What is the difference between chemical and physical sun protection?

Chemical, or organic, sunscreens are usually very light and pleasant to use and do not leave a white cast on the skin. Chemical UV filters absorb the sun’s harmful UV rays so they don’t damage the skin. Simply put, the chemical sunscreen molecules act like small factories that receive UV radiation and convert it into a harmless form. Organic sunscreens are absorbed only in the outermost layer of the skin and work immediately after application. For optimal protection, however, the product should be allowed to settle for a while, so it’s good to wait a bit before applying makeup.

Physical, or inorganic, sunscreens work mainly in the same way as chemical sunscreens, but they also scatter a small part of the UV radiation away from the skin (about 5–10%). However, their effect is largely based on their ability to absorb harmful UV radiation and convert it into a harmless form for both skin and environment. Inorganic sunscreens use only two UV filters: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Both are white, water-insoluble powders, which often leave a light layer on the skin, called a “white cast.”

The persistent myth that physical sunscreens only work by reflecting UV radiation comes from a mistaken conclusion from the 1970s, which has since been disproven multiple times. Read more about sunscreen myths in our article!

Hybrid sunscreens contain both physical and chemical UV filters and are very common in Korean sunscreens. This way, you can benefit from the best properties of both types of protection!

Remember! The best sunscreen is the one that actually gets used. It should feel pleasant to apply, be reasonably priced, and fit into your own skincare routine.

Both physical and chemical sunscreens have been shown to be safe when used correctly, and both effectively protect against the sun’s UV radiation. Therefore, choose the one that suits you best and that you will use regularly.

 

Nano vs non-nano sunscreens

In some physical sunscreens, you may see labels like non-nano filter or nano-filter. Sunscreens sometimes use mineral nanoparticles (under 100 nm) to reduce the white cast the product leaves on the skin. The smaller the particles, the less visible they are on the skin – but there has also been concern that they can be more easily absorbed by the skin.

Non-nano filter means the product does not contain nanoparticles, which makes the ingredients less easily absorbed into the skin. The downside is that the product more often leaves a more visible white cast.

The background of non-nano labels concerns nanoparticles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which could penetrate deeper into the skin. However, research has shown that these particles practically do not penetrate very deeply but remain in the skin’s outermost, dead layer. The small amount that may be absorbed is so minimal that it has not been shown to be harmful.

After all, the skin acts as a protective barrier against external influences, and absorption of substances through the skin into the bloodstream is not as simple as many think. A small particle size does not automatically mean an ingredient easily penetrates deeply into the skin.

In the Korean skincare routine, double cleansing the face in the evening is an important part. First, makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and sebum are removed with an oil-based cleanser, then the face is washed with a water-based cleansing product.

Gentle but thorough cleansing is the first step toward healthy skin, which is why we often recommend double cleansing. At the same time, just an oil-based cleanser can be enough to remove sunscreen.

However, it depends on the sunscreen’s composition – for example, extra water-resistant products often require more effective cleansing, making double cleansing the best option.

Which sunscreen suits you? 

As we mentioned earlier, the best sunscreen is the one you actually want to use every day! Our customers have several favorites – here is a list of our most popular sunscreens:

Best sunscreen for dry skin:
[Round Lab] Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen, and if you want a light tint, choose [espoir] Water Splash Sun Cream Ceramide

Best sunscreen for oily or combination skin:
[Beauty of Joseon] Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 is a thin, serum-like and perfectly lightweight sunscreen

Best sunscreen for sensitive and acne-prone skin:
[SKIN1004] Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum – also popular because it works excellently under makeup!

Best water-resistant sunscreen:
[Purito Seoul] Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen is a great choice for the beach and workouts!

Best mineral-based sunscreen:
[SKIN1004] Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light is a light, non-nano sunscreen for those who are sensitive to chemical UV filters

Best to apply over makeup:
It is important to reapply sunscreen during the day, and for this, sunscreen sticks are best! Try our most popular sunscreen stick, Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camellia, which gives a matte finish without ruining your makeup.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:
Wong M. What does SPF mean? The science behind sunscreen. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. August 18, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2026. https://labmuffin.com/what-does-spf-mean-the-science-of-sunscreen/

Wong M. Video: What does SPF mean? Is sunscreen with high SPF better? Lab Muffin Beauty Science. June 15, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2026. https://labmuffin.com/video-spf-mean-high-spf-sunscreen-better/