Cover Photo: Instagram/@beautyofjoseon_official
Photo: Instagram/@beautyofjoseon_official
1 / 1
Our verdict on the sunscreens beloved by the online beauty community
The Korean beauty industry does not play around with their sunscreens. Their innovative formulas aim to hydrate and soothe with ingredients as much as they protect wearers from short and long-term effects of sun exposure. There is also a focus on perfecting the lightweight texture of their sunscreens, ensuring transparent finish without a white cast, optimising comfort for daily use and reapplication, especially when used in conjunction with make-up.
It comes as no surprise that Korean sunscreens have become the talk of the town. A few in particular have been touted as skincare essentials by the beauty community on Instagram and TikTok. These include Beauty of Joseon's Rice Prebiotic Sunscreen, Round Lab's Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen, and Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50.
Read more: In Pictures: Malaysian beauty brand Bluemolly makes its official debut
Tatler tested out these viral Korean sunscreens. Read on to find out what we think about them.
1. Beauty of Joseon Rice Prebiotic Sunscreen SPF50++
"Due to my sensitive skin, I’m usually careful about viral beauty products, but this sunscreen has earned permanent place in my beauty routine. Lightweight, creamy, and non-sticky, this moisturising sunscreen contains nothing but the good stuff such as extracts from rice and fermented grains, which are rich in vitamins B, C, and E, amino acids, as well as minerals that nourish dehydrated complexions. It absorbs fast into the skin and leaves a natural dewy finish. What’s more, it's vegan, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free."
—Koyyi Chin, print writer
See also: South Korean beauty guru Pony joins Illumiaskin as its first-ever global ambassador
2. Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF50+
"As someone who often forgets to apply sunscreen, I really appreciate Round Lab's hybrid skincare innovation. It is incredibly hydrating and thick enough to last a whole working day without being too thick to make me feel uncomfortably sticky and greasy—which can really ruin my day or worse, deter me from reapplying sunscreen.
I lost confidence in Korean sunscreens after the Purito Sunscreen Scandal in December 2020, in which various Korean skincare manufacturers were revealed to be producing sunscreens with lower SPF protection than advertised. But I feel assured knowing that Round Lab is manufactured by Kolmar Korea, one of the only establishments to pass all quality tests and emerged from the scandal unscathed.
However, I will refute claims that it has absolutely no white cast. It may be true for those with lighter skin tone, but I am always careful not to apply too much."
—Zue Wei Leong, digital writer
Don't miss: TikTok beauty: Try hair cycling for luscious locks
3. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF 50
"I knew I had to try the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen for myself after seeing how the beauty community was split down the middle on their opinions on this Korean beauty-inspired sunscreen, leaving either glowing or extremely critical reviews.
I must confess, I was not an entirely impartial. Having had a positive experience with Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, I went into this hoping to find something equally as delightful. There were similarities, such as the cooling sensation and fruity scent, but ultimately, they didn't satisfactorily adapt the best part of its serum counterpart: the dewy finish.
Instead, the formula was overly creamy, leaving the skin looking more drenched than dewy. And even when precautions were taken to prevent pilling, it happened more often than it should have."
—Zue Wei Leong
NOW READ
The mighty power of microgreens
Ski season: Tatler friends stand out on the slopes with stylish fits
10 exciting style brand collaborations to look out for
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Zue Wei Leong is the senior style writer at Tatler Malaysia. Read her stories on the latest in fashion, beauty and jewellery or follow her on Instagram at @fshnbrnr.
