These Are the Best FDA-Compliant Korean Sunscreens I’ve Found So Far
We all know that applying sunscreen every day is a must, but our government doesn’t make it easy to find one we want to wear daily. Since sunscreen is regulated like a drug by the FDA (instead of as a cosmetic like in other countries), it’s difficult to get modern filters approved, which can be more comfortable and effective than the ones we’re used to.
“There was some chatter that new filters might get approved by the end of 2025, but with everything happening with government agencies, that timeline has been thrown into question,” says Michelle Lee, a beauty-industry adviser and former editor-in-chief of Allure. That’s why you hear that countries like South Korea have superior SPF formulas — they’re allowed to use newer, more lightweight filters like bemotrizinol and bisoctrizole. In contrast, U.S. formulators have a limited list (e.g., zinc oxide, octinoxate, avobenzone) to work with.
As a result, many K-beauty companies have launched U.S.-exclusive versions of their best-selling, widely beloved sunscreens — even brands like Beauty of Joseon, whose Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50 went viral on TikTok. “It’s a big risk to sell products that aren’t compliant,” Lee explains. “So rather than taking the risk, it makes more sense from a business perspective to release U.S.-compliant sunscreens for the moment.”
Technically, you can still grab some of those originals from third-party sellers and Asia-based retailers like YesStyle. The looming threat of tariffs and the risk of getting fakes from unauthorized sellers force us to stick to these reworked versions. While not all of them are as incredible as their predecessors, there are a few select options that almost make me forget that they’re not the OGs — even though, as a Korean woman, I grew up relying on those classic formulas.
“Even within FDA constraints, Korean brands are masters of texture and sensoriality,” says Charlotte Cho, aesthetician and founder of Soko Glam and Then I Met You. “These U.S.-compliant formulas still feel weightless, absorb beautifully, and work seamlessly under makeup. What sets them apart is the thoughtful layering of skin-beneficial ingredients — hydrating agents, antioxidants, and calming botanicals — so it feels more like skin care than just sun protection.” Plus, these innovative formulas feel high-end but often come with relatively affordable price tags.
Thanks to Lee, Cho, and Sarah Chung Park, K-beauty expert and founder of Landing International— as well as my colleagues, who helped me test dozens of formulas over a few weeks — I found top-notch Korean sunscreens that are lightweight, don’t pill, and won’t leave a white cast on deeper skin tones. The best part? The FDA won’t snatch these bad boys away from you.
So, you want to shop Korean sunscreens in the U.S.?
➼ Our top picks
➼ More tried-and-true favorites
➼ FAQs
➼ Our experts
Our top picks:
The Best Sunscreen Overall
Krave Beauty Beet The Sun SPF 40
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Natural | SPF: 40 | Water-resistant: No
As long as I have this antioxidant-rich sunscreen, I’ll be fine — even if the FDA continues to take its sweet time vetting new SPF filters. No matter how much I apply, it absorbs quickly, leaving behind a slightly glowy finish. It has a subtle “sunscreen-y” scent, but it fades away to nothing. I recommend this to anyone and everyone, and so does the Cut’s beauty writer, Asia Milia Ware. “I love it because it leaves my skin feeling as hydrated as my favorite moisturizer without the weird greasy finish that a lot of sunscreens have,” she says. “It’s usually what I wear on no-makeup days because it leaves me with a radiant glow and it has zero white cast, no matter how much I use.” And you know who else raves about it? None other than Hailey Bieber.
The Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Eyes
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Radiant | SPF: 36 | Water-resistant: No
This sunscreen is a Cut favorite, thanks to its moisturizer-like texture. The green tea and sunflower-seed oil in the formula hydrates, while cica soothes irritation. “This is perfect if you want sunscreen that doesn’t feel like sunscreen — it’s so moisturizing and hydrating, you’ll feel like you just did an intense skin-care routine,” says Cut shopping writer Chinea Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Cut features editor Catherine Thompson, who reports that most sunscreens burn her sensitive eyes, considers the Daily UV Defense Sunscreen one of her mainstays. “It doesn’t pill under makeup, and I don’t have any issues reapplying it over makeup later in the day,” she says. “It doesn’t leave a white cast on my skin and, most importantly, doesn’t sting my eyes after hours of wear.”
The Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Some by Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen SPF 50
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Radiant | SPF: 50 | Water-resistant: No
If you have sensitive skin or eyes, this is one to try. Not only does it avoid irritating the skin, but it also contains cica to soothe it. “I know that a lot of people find sunscreen to be irritating to their eyes,” says Lee. “I find this one to be quite gentle. Some of my oily-skin friends find this one a bit too dewy. But my skin is quite dehydrated, so I appreciate the dewiness.” It has a slight citrus-y scent, but it dissipates quickly, and I didn’t find it to be headache-inducing at all.
The Best Sunscreen for Under Makeup
The Face Shop Hydro Sun Barrier Moisturizer SPF 45
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Radiant | SPF: 45 | Water-resistant: No
I wouldn’t hesitate to wear any of the formulas on this list under concealer or foundation. However, this one is so thin and watery that it spread easily and sat well beneath my complexion products, and I didn’t feel the need to apply moisturizer first. The Cut’s social-media editor Katja Vujić does note that the packaging can get messy, and the sunscreen feels a little greasy on her skin, so beware if your skin is oily.
More tried-and-true options:
The Best Sunscreen for All Skin Types
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Daily Sun Gel
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Natural | SPF: 30 | Water-resistant: No
According to news editor Danielle Cohen, this pick from Isntree is “the Platonic ideal of sunscreens,” thanks to its easy-to-apply and even easier-to-wear formula. “I forget it’s even there — no excessive forehead shine or feeling like I have a bunch of gloop on my face,” she says. “It has a very faint sunscreen-y scent that I almost wish was stronger, but if you’re looking for something unscented, this is pretty close.”
The Best Lightweight Sunscreen
Then I Met You Essence Light Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Natural | SPF: 50 | Water-resistant: No
According to Cho, Then I Met You’s best-selling product is this sunscreen. “When I developed it, I wanted it to feel like skin care — not just sun care,” she says. It has a creamy, silky texture (reminiscent of a lightweight moisturizer) and sits remarkably well under makeup without any pilling. I can see why it’s such a fan favorite, although it might not be the best fit for those with extra-sensitive eyes. One more thing to note: It smells like the sunscreen I used to use as a child, which is nostalgic and comforting all at once.
The Best Crystal Clear Stick Sunscreen
Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Natural | SPF: 50 | Water-resistant: No
I love a stick sunscreen, especially since it makes reapplication effortless. The Cut’s fashion market editor Emma Oleck adores this one in particular because it’s hydrating and makes her skin look extra fresh and dewy. “My favorite part about the product is its shape,” she says. “The tube is curved in a way that allows me to also treat it like a gua sha. I’ve started using it to sculpt and massage my face while putting on my sunscreen, which makes my morning skin care all the more satisfying.” The stick itself is also completely clear, so there’s no white cast to worry about, no matter your skin tone.
The Best Ultra-Moisturizing Sunscreen for Dry Skin
d’Alba Piedmont Italian White Truffle Waterfull Essence Sunscreen
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Natural | SPF: 50 | Water-resistant: No
If you have dry skin and look for extra hydration in every step of your skin-care routine, D’Alba (creator of the TikTok-viral White Truffle First Spray Serum) has a nourishing sunscreen that fits the bill. “This one has a thicker, creamier texture — it feels more like a rich lotion,” says Vujić. She warns that it does leave a slight white cast at first, but it goes away after a few minutes.
The Best Portable Sunscreen That Won’t Ruin Your Bag
Belif Aqua Bomb Korean Glow Sunstick SPF 50+
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Radiant | SPF: 50 | Water-resistant: No
Cut features editor Amy Rose Spiegel is such a devout sunscreen wearer that she’ll carry one around in her purse, but she’s had beef with a few that began leaking while on the go. One recently dripped all over her nylon Prada bag. But “there’s way less risk of that with a stick,” she says, which is why she tested this solid sunscreen from Belif. “This one was hydrating and applied easily, with no eye-stinging spread, “ she says. “It made friends out of strangers next to me at the pool who wanted to know if I was putting deodorant on my face. I offered it to them to try — they were fans.” And don’t be intimidated by how glowy and bronzer-like it looks in the tube; the formula goes on clear, and Spiegel says that it’s not nearly as highlighter-y as other glow-inducing sunscreens on the market.
The Best Brightening Sunscreen
Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Spot UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Radiant | SPF: 50 | Water-resistant: No
Goodal’s sunscreen is a best seller in South Korea, and the brand developed a U.S. version and launched it just a few weeks ago. The product features vitamin C to brighten, niacinamide to even the skin, and madecassoside to soothe irritation. “The texture on this sunscreen is light and spreadable — I would even say it inches toward serum territory,” says Vujić. “It has a pleasant, classic sunscreen smell that temporarily transported me to the beach while I applied, and I didn’t notice a white cast at all, though I have pretty pale skin.” I also loved the serum-like consistency, and it made my skin look glowy and healthy. A little bit did get in my eye, and it stung for a couple of hours until I applied some powder in the area to keep the sunscreen in place (hot tip!).
The Best Mineral Sunscreen
Axis-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen V3
Type: Mineral sunscreen | Finish: Natural | SPF: 50 | Water-resistant: No
There aren’t many mineral options on this list, since they’re usually not as cosmetically elegant or as accommodating of a wide range of skin tones. However, Lee likes the Axis-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen, which she says doesn’t leave a white cast on her light-medium skin. “Most days, I choose mineral formulas pretty often since I’m melasma- and hyperpigmentation-prone,” she says. “I wasn’t initially blown away by this one the first time I used it. But I’ve found myself reaching for it a lot and recently started my third tube of it.”
The Best TikTok-Viral Sunscreen
Beauty of Joseon Daily Relief Sunscreen
Type: Chemical sunscreen | Finish: Natural | SPF: 40 | Water-resistant: No
Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics sunscreen found mainstream fame on social media, where users applauded its hydrating, lightweight, and scentless formula. However, the company was forced to pull that original version from U.S.-based retailers and later came up with an FDA-friendly iteration. Those who loved the former might be disappointed with this one since it’s not exactly the same thing, but I don’t mind it. The product has all the hallmarks of a sunscreen I’d wear on a daily basis: face-lotion-like texture, little to no scent, natural finish, and quick absorption time.
FAQs
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