It’s time to go over the best new sunscreens for this upcoming summer season! Here, we highlight the newest Korean sunscreens that work for different skin types.
As spring begins to come to a close, the time has come to search for the most important part of a summer skin care routine: sunscreen. While I can’t wait for the warm weather and sunny days (it’s been especially rainy in New York), I know my skin is dreading the constant sun exposure bright summer days inevitably bring, so it’s crucial to find a sunscreen that works.
This year, it’s all about consistency, consistency, consistency. Brands have been catching on to the fact that we all hate the traditional smell, feel, and appearance of sunscreen. That means that now there are great sunscreens to choose from for every skin type, regardless of if you’re dry, oily, acne-prone, or sensitive.
But knowing which sunscreen to use for your skin can be a bit tricky. So, we decided to break down the best new sunscreens of 2018 by skin type to hopefully help you find your holy grail. Let’s jump in!
Oily Skin: Acwell Aqua Capsule Sun Control Gel SPF 35/PA++
The first sunscreen on this list is one I love because it has the perfect consistency for summer! Unlike many sun creams, this one actually comes in a gel form so it’s super lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly without any white cast. To make it even better, its ingredient list is so, so good for people with sensitive skin. Invariably, sunscreen is the product that ends up breaking me out or causing other irritation on my skin.
What I love about the Aqua Capsule Sun Control Gel is that it is packed with botanical extracts that help soothe and nourish the skin, and prevent any kind of irritation. From hydrating and brightening licorice root to anti-inflammatory and amino acid-packed Rehmannia Root Extract, this sun cream is super soothing, gentle, and hydrating. To top it all off, it’s formulated without dimethicone (which is super rare), making it usable even on my ultra acne-prone skin.
Dry Skin: TONY MOLY My Sunny Watery Essence SPF 50/PA+++
This sunscreen is one of my all-time top recommendations for people with dry skin. Why? Because, as the name implies, this sunscreen doesn’t just provide sun protection—it’s also a hydrating essence! Formulated with dual hyaluronic acid, aloe, centella asiatica extract, and licorice root extract, this sunscreen packs a serious punch of hydration. But it has a light watery consistency so it won’t suffocate your skin like a heavy cream. And to make it even better, it has a heavenly scent of dandelions and cucumbers that is perfect for warm sunny days.
Sensitive Skin: Mamonde Calendula Everyday Sun Cream
You may remember me writing about discovering this sunscreen on my last trip to Seoul, and the fact still stands—it’s my holy grail. It’s pretty plain and basic, and that’s exactly why I love it. My skin is super sensitive to sunscreen, and I often identify them as the culprit for my breakouts. I love this sunscreen because its ingredient list is really simple compared to others, and doesn’t contain loads of unnecessary add-ins.
Formulated with gentle ingredients and no dimethicone, it has a hydrating, creamy consistency, but absorbs into the skin immediately with almost no white cast and no icky sunscreen smell. For people like me who have chronically dry and sensitive skin, it’s a great choice for summer because it’s hydrating and gentle without feeling heavy and greasy.
Acne-prone Skin: Dr. Oracle A-thera Sunblock SPF 50
For those of us with acne-prone skin, sunscreen is often one of the most daunting steps to choose. Loads of sunscreens contain acne-causing ingredients and are all too often the cause of breakouts. However, if you suffer from acne, your skin needs sunscreen more than ever—unprotected UV exposure can make your breakouts redder, more sensitive, and overall just worse.
That’s why the Dr. Oracle A-thera Sunscreen is such a lifesaver. It’s a super lightweight gel-cream, so it it’s easily and quickly absorbed by the skin. It’s also formulated with centella asiatica, one of the best ingredients for soothing irritation, and bamboo water to provide lightweight hydration.
But do note that this sunscreen is formulated with dimethicone, so if you’re like me and your acne is sensitive to silicones, proceed with caution. But if you aren’t worried about dimethicone, it’s overall super gentle and nourishing, and is a definite must try for those with acne.
Combination Skin (and everyone): Klavuu City Defense Tone-Change Cushion SPF 50+/PA+++
One of the most important parts of wearing sunscreen is re-touching throughout the day (you need to do it about every two hours). I love SPF cushions because they are so convenient and easy to use, and make application throughout the day so much easier. That’s why I’m such a fan of the Klavuu City Defense Cushion. It offers hefty SPF protection with a light peachy undertone to even out the complexion and add a subtle glow.
It’s perfect for combination skin types because it’s super lightweight and non-greasy, and applying it with a cushion makes for super thorough absorption to avoid any greasy shine, especially on oily areas. But, it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, so any dry parts of the face get the hydration they need throughout the day.
The Bottom Line
We all know sun protection is one of the most important aspects of skin care, no matter your skin type. So whatever your concerns may be, there is a good sunscreen out there for you. Whether you have oily skin and need to use a gel, or dry skin and need a heavy cream, you’re bound to find a sunscreen that does the trick.