Health
As a beauty editor, even when I’m on holiday I’m never completely off-duty, as I’m always bringing new products with me to test while I’m away. A recent trip to Spain was no exception, as I used the hot weather to test out five new K-beauty face SPFs that had caught my eye recently – and they’re all under £16 and easily available to buy here in the UK.
Korean beauty formulas are known for being especially hydrating with a dewy finish, yet incredibly lightweight. This makes them ideal for layering up and for use in summer, when applying heavy cream in hot weather might not be that appealing, reports the Mirror.
Here are the ones that impressed me the most – and they’re currently all on sale…
Health Best Korean beauty sunscreens tried and tested
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
Currently £12.40 from Lookfantastic (usual price £15.50)
(Image: Laura Mulley)
This and Beauty of Joseon’s other facial sunscreen (see below) are perhaps the best known of the bunch here, having recently launched in Boots and Lookfantastic, and going viral on TikTok.
It’s a creamy lotion-type consistency but one that’s very thin and quite runny, almost like a milk, and really lovely and soothing to apply. It sinks into the skin almost immediately yet still leaves a lightly hydrated feel and a very slight glow, and it may not have enough of a moisturising feel for dry skin types. The tube is also a bit messy to use.
Another member of our team also loves this, saying, “I found that my skin felt so quenched that I didn’t need to use a separate moisturiser, and it also sits really well underneath make-up, which can be a challenge to find with sunscreens.”
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
Currently £15.30 from Boots (usual price £17)
(Image: Laura Mulley)
Haruharu Wonder is one of the newest Korean beauty brands to arrive on my beauty desk, describing itself as “a minimalist K-beauty brand” that “blends gentle rituals with cutting-edge fermentation tech to support visible skin health over time”.
The Airyfit Daily Sunscreen hass a more premium appearance and texture than some of the others featured here, from the convenient pump packaging to the sophisticated formula – nourishing yet completely non-greasy, with absolutely no white residue. This particular product feels more like a lovely moisturiser, and my skin would be perfectly content if I bypassed my regular face cream and simply used this instead. It’s my top pick from this line-up.
Dr.Althea Green Tea Fresh Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
Currently £15.99 from Stylevanna (usual price £19)
(Image: Laura Mulley)
I can see that Dr.Althea’s sunscreens are going to hold significant appeal for younger consumers (and that can only be a positive development) due to their adorable circular bottles; admittedly, these don’t balance particularly well on your vanity table, and aren’t terribly convenient to squeeze once they’re nearly finished, but they’re simple to transport and delightful to use.
This one contains green tea and cica extracts to soothe sun-stressed skin, and leaves a refreshing feel and a nice glow to the skin.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-fresh Rice + B5 SPF50 PA++++
Currently £12.40 from Lookfantastic (usual price £15.50)
(Image: Laura Mulley)
This is Beauty of Joseon’s other SPF 50, and the one that’s perhaps better suited to oily or combination skin types. It is actually very similar in consistency to the Rice + Probiotics one, but has a bit more of a watery, more cooling feel, and leaves a slight ‘drag’ on the skin.
It’s not quite hydrating enough for my skin (I definitely need to apply it over the top of a moisturiser), but I can see it really appealing to anyone that hates the usual feel of sun cream – or even any skincare – on their face, or maybe with male shoppers.
Dr.Althea Aqua Glowing Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
Currently £15.99 from Stylevanna (usual price £19.19)
(Image: Laura Mulley)
If it’s natural-looking glow without greasiness that you’re after, this is the one for you. It’s very similar to Dr.Althea’s Green Tea SPF above – and, actually, all of these – in that it’s super lightweight and so easily absorbed, but with niacinamide and a ceramide, it gives more of a radiant finish, which I loved.
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