10 Best Korean Sunscreens for Oily Skin

Do you have oily or acne-prone skin and can't find good sunscreen? Well... we've rounded up the top ten SPF face creams just for you.

Some people with oily skin are reluctant to wear sunscreen, or even don't wear it, because they've spent a lifetime using greasy, heavy, pore-clogging formulas. It's true that in the past, sun protection products have had a bad reputation for being too thick or feeling greasy, leaving a film of residue on the skin.

Don't worry, the good news is that we've found the best formulas for oily skin that you might want to add to your beauty shelf. If you don't want to be greasier or cause breakouts, consider opting for a light, mattifying, and comedogenic sun gel or lotion that offers UV protection while reducing shine and excess oil.

How to choose the best sunscreen for oily skin?

For oily skin, it is critical to avoid certain comedogenic ingredients, such as isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, soybean oil, and coconut oil.

You should look for labels on the packaging such as "oil-free", "non-comedogenic", "oil-absorbing" or "pore minimizing". These products are generally designed for oily and acne-prone skin.

Is sunscreen good for anti-aging?

Some studies and researchers have found that the sun's UV rays are the primary cause of visible signs of aging, including pigmentation, sunspots, wrinkles, reduced skin elasticity, and degradation of skin texture.

However, sunscreen with a high level of sun protection can prevent many signs of photoaging by tackling the triggers. Choose a water-resistant facial moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher that offers broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection.

If you have premature skin with dark spots and fine lines, it's a good idea to opt for an oil-based occlusive product or a face cream with anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, vitamins C and E, and chemical exfoliants. 

* Struggling with pre-mature aging? Here is for you: 10 Best Korean Anti-Aging Skincare Products (for 30’s). 

The best Korean face moisturizers with SPF

Missha Soft Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+ PA+++ 

An ultra-light, water- and sweat-resistant formula provides long-lasting sun protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays with an invisible finish. This weightless, milky texture feels refreshing on the skin while nourishing it with the 6 Essence Complex, natural plant extracts that reveal a softer, clearer complexion.

This "reef-safe" product offers soothing hydration and the daily protection of SPF 50+ broad spectrum sun cream to help protect against UVA and UVB rays that could negatively impact the skin, without leaving a white cast on the face.

Laneige Hydro UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ 

Formulated with a blend of plant extracts, including Centella Asiatica, Aloe, Broccoli, Hibiscus and Quinoa Seeds, and Hydro Ionized Mineral Water that deeply hydrates and soothes the skin.

It is hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested and suitable for all skin types. The product is free of ingredients such as parabens, formaldehydes, oxybenzone, and phthalates.

Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ 

Enriched with Aloe Arborescens leaf extract, this sun cream provides ultimate hydration and soothes the skin while defending against UVA and UVB rays.

This daily sunscreen is weightless and feels like you're using a lightweight moisturizer instead of a greasy sunblock. It is a vegan, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic sun protecting product.

Make P:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

This watery light sun gel contains 68% moisturizing essences of lotus, raspberry, birch sap, and Japanese cypress, which help cool skin temperature by 4.7°C and keep skin hydrated and supple for an entire day. 

With powerful UV protection of SPF50+ PA++++, it provides an excellent ability to protect the skin even from direct sunlight and UV rays.

This Korean sunscreen gel leaves no white cast but provides a smooth feel. Works great under makeup such as a makeup foundation or BB or CC cream.

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF50 PA+++

A SPF 50-fortified UV gel contains gentle, 100% mineral ingredients that intensely protect skin in the sun from premature aging caused by harmful sun exposure.

This non-sticky formula is enriched with skin-loving ingredients like terminalia ferdinandiana, aloe vera, portulaca oleracea extract, acai berry, and acerola to target premature aging and keep skin hydrated all day long.

It is easy to blend and absorbs instantly into the skin, which feels comfortable on the skin with a beautiful matte finish. Moreover, it also doesn't leave a grayish or white cast behind, making it a good base for makeup. Ideal for oily, combination, and sensitive skin.

SCINIC Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++

As the name implies, this sunscreen is formulated as a skin essence with physical filters to provide broad spectrum SPF50+ protection PA++++. The liquid sun essence has a water-like lotion consistency that is easy to apply to the skin and quickly sets to a natural finish with just a hint of dewiness.

This fragrance-free product contains 80% hydrating and soothing essence formulated with green tea extract, centella asiatica extract, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, adenosine, and niacinamide, which restores and replenishes moisture while cooling your skin temperature.

Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF50+ PA++++ 

A hypoallergenic physical sunscreen contains zinc oxide that effectively blocks UVA and UVB rays while strengthening skin's resistance. Infused with extracts of centella asiatica, green tea, broccoli, and houttuynia cordata to soothe and moisturize the skin.

This gentle facial product also contains plant-based Pycnogenol extracted from pine trees and FILMEXEL™ (the patented anti-pollution complex) to protect skin from external aggressors such as pollutants, like fine dust, and smoke, and help maintain healthy skin.

This vegan formula is made with EWG Green verified ingredients, making it suitable for sensitive skin, and contains no ingredients that are harmful to coral reefs.

Benton Skin Fit Mineral Sun Cream SPF50+/PA++++

A multifunctional sunscreen is formulated with witch hazel and centella asiatica extract to relieve inflammation and restore the skin's oil-water balance, calamine to soothe sensitive skin and absorb excess oil, and zinc oxide to reflect broad-spectrum UV rays.

This product is based on safe physical filters (mineral filters) that act as UV reflectors and are non-toxic because they do not penetrate the skin or accumulate in the body. It also contains panthenol, vitamin E and niacinamide to effectively restore the skin's protective barrier, prevent transepidermal moisture loss and reduce dryness.

Neogen Dermalogy Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen SPF 50

A lighter formulation of the classic Neogen Day-Light Protection SPF 50/PA+++ sunscreen is a gentle daily sunscreen that provides airy weightless, broad-spectrum protection without leaving a white cast or greasy feel.

This vegan-friendly face gel provides an optimal combination of sun protection and hydration with 20 types of plant extracts, including aloe, avocado, acai berry and hibiscus, to calm, moisturize and nourish the skin.

In addition, it helps control sebum (oil) production, making it ideal for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin. It is cruelty-free and free of parabens, alcohol, fragrance, mineral oil and silicone.

Dr. Oracle 21 Stay A-Thera Sun Block SPF 50+ PA+++

A hypoallergenic product contains mild skin-loving ingredients, including Centella Asiatica and Maca Root extracts, as well as Bamboo Water and Celtic Water, which protect sensitive and problematic skin by creating a barrier against external irritants and providing deep hydration.

This sun-block uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface to help reflect UV rays. It is gentle on the skin, maintains oil-water balance, regulates sebum production and will not clog pores, making it suitable for all skin types, especially oily, acne prone or sensitive skin.