Six chemical and hybrid Korean SPFs tested across four skin types in Australian summer. The K-beauty sunscreens that earn the cult — and the ones to skip.
| Product | Score | Best for | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| № 1 · Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ | 9.4/10 | All skin types · daily SPF · under makeup | $28 | Adore Beauty |
| № 2 · Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF50+ | 9.2/10 | Sensitive skin · dry skin · daily wear | $36 | Adore Beauty |
| № 3 · Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light | 9.0/10 | Oily skin · combination · summer | $32 | YesStyle |
| № 4 · Anua Heartleaf Soothing Sun Serum SPF50+ | 8.8/10 | Reactive skin · post-active recovery | $38 | YesStyle |
| № 5 · Etude SoonJung Mild Defence SPF50+ | 8.4/10 | Sensitive skin · pregnant · post-procedure | $24 | YesStyle |
| № 6 · Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen SPF50+ | 8.6/10 | Combination · normal · daily SPF | $28 | YesStyle |
Korean sunscreens have a structural advantage Australian and US brands don't: Korea regulates SPFs as cosmetics, not OTC drugs, which allows the use of newer chemical filters (Tinosorb, Uvinul) that the US TGA doesn't. The result is lighter textures, no white cast, and PA++++ protection at price points Australian formulas can't match. The drawback: shorter water resistance, less rigorous Australian summer testing. Our six-product test, run from December to March in Sydney + Melbourne climate.
Best for All skin types · daily SPF · under makeup
The chemical SPF that broke TikTok in 2023. Sits cleanly under foundation, smells faintly of rice, no white cast on any tone. The K-beauty SPF most converts SPF-haters.
Best for Sensitive skin · dry skin · daily wear
Hybrid mineral + chemical SPF in a near-water texture. 70% birch sap as the hydration vehicle. The most reactive-skin-friendly K-beauty SPF on the Australian shelf.
Best for Oily skin · combination · summer
Ultra-light fluid texture with centella + niacinamide. Mattifies subtly without flashback. The SPF for buyers who hate the feel of any sunscreen.
Best for Reactive skin · post-active recovery
Serum-textured SPF with 53% Houttuynia cordata. Replaces serum + SPF in one step for sensitive-skin minimalists. Premium price for a single product.
Best for Sensitive skin · pregnant · post-procedure
Mineral SPF with panthenol and madecassoside. Slight white cast on darker tones. The choice when chemical filters are off the table.
Best for Combination · normal · daily SPF
Reformulated 2024 after 2020 SPF-rating controversy. Independently retested at SPF50+. Light cream texture, no white cast, fragrance-free.
Yes — Korean SPFs sold in Australia must comply with TGA labelling, but the formulations themselves use the broader filter set Korea allows. Independent third-party testing in 2020-2024 has confirmed most major K-beauty SPFs meet their stated SPF rating. The notable exception was Purito (the original 2020 formula), which has been reformulated and independently retested. Stick to brands listed in this Glow ranking — every product here has been verified at the SPF rating it claims.
On the products in this ranking — yes. Each was either independently lab-tested by a third-party (Skin1004, Round Lab, Beauty of Joseon) or includes published in-vivo SPF data. The 2020 Purito controversy taught the K-beauty market that consumers will demand verified ratings, and the major brands have responded. Avoid any K-beauty SPF that does not publish an in-vivo test result and an independent verification.
Ultra Violette holds the top score in Glow's overall SPF ranking (9.1/10) — TGA-listed, Australian-formulated for Australian climate, broad-spectrum independently verified. Beauty of Joseon at 9.4 specifically for K-beauty wins on cosmetic elegance and price. The honest answer: Ultra Violette Queen Screen if you want a TGA-listed SPF tested for Australian sun. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun if you want the lightest texture under makeup and the lower price.
Every K-beauty ranking, eight categories, ten cult products.
Explore →60-second quiz · personalised four-product routine.
Start →Ultra Violette vs Beauty of Joseon — full Glow comparison.
Read →How Glow grades skincare formulations A–D.
Read →