The Future of Sunscreen Is Here, and It’s Korean

Christine Byer
6 min readMay 7, 2024

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  • Korean chemists continuously develop and improve ultraviolet (UV) filters that drive the future of sunscreen.
  • Korean sunscreen technology offers advanced sun protection with an easier application and a more flattering finish.
  • Korean sunscreen products contain a variety of nourishing ingredients that serve double-duty as skincare.
  • Korean sunscreen simultaneously protects against harmful UV rays while rejuvenating dry, damaged, and dull skin.

The future of sunscreen is here, and it’s nothing like that bottle of Coppertone you used as a kid or the tube of Ban de Soleil you worshiped as a teen. As a matter of fact, it’s better — plus it’s safer and actually good for your skin! I’m talking about Korean sunscreen, the only type of sun protection on the market that combines skin-loving ingredients, like peptides and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), with lightweight, nourishing UV filters.

If you’re ready to experiment with the next generation of sun protection, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to discover what sets Korean sunscreen apart from traditional sunscreen in the U.S., complete with my personal favorite Korean sunscreen cream and cushion products!

High Tech Sun Protection

For those who have yet to try Korean sunscreen, let me tell you this: Korean chemists have vastly improved traditional mineral and chemical sunscreens in every sense of the word. I’m talking about everything from the application and the finish to the actual sun protection — Korean sunscreen is simply superior! This prime performance is likely powered by Korea’s latest and greatest ultraviolet (UV) filters.

You see, in the United States, we regulate sunscreen because it’s marketed as a drug or, more specifically, as a sunburn preventative that decreases the risks of photoaging and skin cancer. Though well-intentioned, these regulations ultimately inhibit a lot of innovation in sunscreen — which can explain why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved a new UV filter for sun protection since the 1990s.

In other words, the sunscreen we’re using in the U.S. is formulated

with outdated technology. Enter the role of Korean sunscreen! Korean sunscreen is continuously improving, designed to be more lightweight, apply more evenly, and leave no white cast. Korean sunscreen is friendly to darker skintones, and you can use far less of it to achieve the same benefits. Speaking of benefits, let’s dive into sunscreen skincare ingredients!

The Best Sunscreen Includes Skincare

If you know me, you know that I am a major advocate for the K-beauty trends that are sweeping across America. What I’m most excited about is how the majority of K-beauty serves a double-duty purpose, and Korean sunscreen is no exception. Beyond the active ingredients that provide sun protection, Korean products are jam-packed with skincare ingredients that create a more reparative, moisturizing sunscreen.

Some of my personal favorite skin-loving ingredients you can find in Korean skincare include:

  • Peptides: Whether it’s stimulating collagen production to lift and firm the skin or inhibiting pigmentation to prevent sun spots, the power of peptides helps tighten and tone the face.
  • Plant Stem Cells: Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, plant stem cells in Korean sunscreen help combat the signs of photoaging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
  • Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA): Popular in Western medicine and trending Korean skincare, PLLA is a bio-stimulator that promotes collagen production to smooth and plump aging skin.

How to Get Started with Korean Sunscreen

Dr Esthe Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

Do you want to experiment with Korean sunscreen, but don’t know where to start? Look no further! I share my esthetician-tested, client-approved Korean sunscreen recommendations on my YouTube channel all the time, and have gathered (and linked!) my favorites for you below!

1. Dr.esthé Sun Protection Mild SPF 50

If you struggle with finding the balance between oily and dry skin in the summer, the Dr.esthé Sun Protection Mild SPF 50 is for you! Dr.esthé is a Korean skincare brand formulated with vitamins C and E for sensitive skin. This lightweight Korean sunscreen cream comes out of the tube thick, but is designed with oil-absorbing spheres that not only help it dry down to an invisible matte finish but also wick up excess oil all day long!

2. Dr.esthé Sun Protection Ultra Repair SPF 50

If you’re looking for a more moisturizing sunscreen but still require something designed for ultra-sensitive skin, give the Dr.esthé Sun Protection Ultra Repair SPF 50 a try. As the name might suggest, this deeply nourishing Korean sunscreen cream is ideal for dry or mature skin that needs a little extra love with its daily dose of SPF. It’s formulated with six different peptides for anti-aging and skin protection benefits!

3. Dr.esthé Sun Protection Cream SPF 50

Now, if you’re on the hunt for the most moisturizing sunscreen on the market, all signs point to the newest Korean sunscreen cream, the Dr.esthé Sun Protection Cream SPF 50! I recently introduced this sunscreen on my YouTube channel, where I demonstrated how well it melts into the skin and keeps everything looking dewy and smooth. You can put this sunscreen on your driest, most dehydrated areas and it will still look fresh!

4. HOUSE OF PLLA HOP+ SPF50 All Mineral Multi-Protection Face & Body Sunscreen

HOP+ All Mineral Multi-Protection Face and Body Sunscreen

If you’re seeking a Korean sunscreen that you can apply across the entire body, not just the face, I recommend the All Mineral Multi-Protection Face & Body Sunscreen by the House of PLLA. Formulated with a luxurious blend of poly-L-lactic acid, protein-based growth factors, and patented Black Royal Jelly Powder, this all-mineral sunscreen helps to boost cell regeneration and collagen production on any area of the skin!

Skin Repair Sun Cushion SPF50

5. HOUSE OF PLLA HOP+ SPF50 Skin Repair Sun Cushion

Last, but absolutely not least, if you’re looking for a Korean sunscreen that serves not one, not two, but three purposes, experiment with the HOUSE OF PLLA HOP+ Skin Repair Sun Cushion! Part SPF 50, part PLLA skincare, and part BB cream, you can’t go wrong with this unique Korean sunscreen cushion. You can apply this sunscreen cushion as your foundation or directly over makeup for a glowy look that plumps while it protects!

Explore the World of Korean Sunscreen

Korean Sunscreen recommended by Master Esthetician, Christine Byer

The future of sunscreen is here, and it’s Korean. Now is the time to ditch those cakey, pore-clogging American sunscreens in favor of a product that can both shield your skin from harmful UV rays and support radiant, more youthful-looking skin. If you’re unsure which of the above products would work best for your skin, I invite you to join me in the Christine Byer Beauty Club for unparalleled personalized skincare support!

Club members access exclusive savings, not only on the latest Korean skincare and sunscreen products but also on the dozens of esthetician-grade products on my website. Join today to unlock a 14-day FREE preview of the Christine Byer Beauty Club and explore the future of sunscreen!

originally posted on https://christinebyeresthetics.com/ on May 7th, 2024

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Christine Byer

Licensed Master Esthetician demonstrating what a REAL beauty expert knows and sharing PRO anti-aging skincare tips. https://christinebyeresthetics.com