By now we all know that one of the most important step in our daily skin care routine is application of sunscreen so we would not go on about its well-known benefits.
Navigating the world of sunscreens to find the perfect match for your skin can feel overwhelming. There is a plethora of brands and products available out there. That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide to help you choose the ideal sunscreen tailored to your specific skin type.
A) Sunscreens for dry skin:
- Torriden Dive-in Watery moisture suncream: Torriden’s Dive-In Watery Moisture Sun Cream is the ideal solution for those who find traditional sunscreens heavy, seek intense hydration, have sensitive skin prone to irritation, or need reliable 24-hour sun protection. This lightweight, non-sticky formula feels as refreshing and moisturizing as a hydrating cream—so comfortable it’s like wearing nothing at all—while delivering lasting protection throughout the day.
- Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel: This chemical sunscreen doubles as a daily moisturizer, delivering deep hydration with 8 types of hyaluronic acid. With SPF50+, it hydrates the skin, strengthens the skin barrier, and maintains oil-water balance. Suitable for dry and sensitive skin, it can be applied even over makeup without clumping, peeling, or leaving a white cast or sticky finish.
- Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream: This hydrating sunscreen doubles as a moisturizer, offering powerful protection against UVA, UVB, and blue light with SPF50+ and PA++++. Enriched with birch tree sap, it soothes inflammation while delivering deep nourishment through essential minerals, enzymes, proteins, and antioxidants. Its blend of amino acids and vitamins helps form a moisture barrier to prevent dryness and lock in hydration. Suitable for all skin types, it blends easily with no white cast, layers well, and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
- Some other products we recommend are COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream and HaruHaru wonder black rice moisture airyfit daily sunscreen.
B) Sunscreens for oily skin:
- Anua Heartleaf silky moisture sunscreen: Formulated with 30% heartleaf extract, this hydrating gel sunscreen soothes sensitive skin while controlling sebum and minimizing oiliness. Its lightweight, non-sticky texture layers well under makeup and offers SPF 50+ PA++++ broad-spectrum protection using chemical filters. Enriched with panthenol, it hydrates and calms the skin, making it ideal for sensitive, oily, or acne-prone types. Heartleaf’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-aging benefits make it a powerful all-round skincare ingredient.
- TIRTIR Hydro UV shield sunscreen: This chemical sunscreen offers SPF50+ UV protection while hydrating and plumping skin with hyaluronic acid and phyto-collagen. Aloe vera and panthenol soothe, while the lightweight, fast-absorbing formula leaves a refreshing, no white cast finish. It’s light weight and fast absorbing texture with the non-sticky and refreshing finish is ideal for all skin types including oily and combination skin.
- Celimax Oil Control Light Sunscreen: This mineral and chemical hybrid sunscreen offers broad-spectrum sun protection of SPF 50+ PA++++ plus sebum-regulating benefits. Infused with patented ingredient Anti Sebum-P, the formula, effectively controls excess sebum production. The silky smooth and lightweight texture provides a refreshing, white cast-free finish. Dermatologically tested product is hypoallergenic.
- We are also impressed by Beauty of Joseon: Relief Sun, Returnu Deep Comfort Ampoule Sun Screen and Numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence
C) Mineral or Physical sunscreen:
Physical sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens, use natural mineral ingredients—primarily zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—to protect the skin by physically blocking and reflecting UV rays. They’re ideal for sensitive skin, work immediately upon application, and are often reef-safe. Modern formulas reduce white cast and offer gentler, irritation-free protection with minimal absorption into the skin. Here are some popular brands of physical/mineral sunscreen.
- SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus:This lightweight tinted mineral sunscreen blurs pores and evens skin tone with a natural matte finish. Featuring non-nano UV filters, it offers strong sun protection ideal for outdoor use. Formulated with niacinamide and MadeWhite™ for brightening, it applies smoothly with minimal white cast and is reef-safe.
- Celimax Dual Barrier Watery Sun Cream: Protect your skin with a non-nano, physical sunscreen that forms a UV shield without being absorbed into the skin. Using particles larger than 100nm, it minimizes absorption of UV-blocking ingredients while providing powerful sun protection. Enriched with five types of natural ceramides and patented Aquatide, it deeply moisturizes and strengthens the skin barrier. The formula leaves a watery-smooth finish with no shine and has passed a suitability test for sensitive skin.
- Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Suncream: Torriden’s Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen is a gentle, non-nano sun cream that provides broad-spectrum SPF 50+ PA++++ protection using a zinc oxide-based formula. Infused with a 5D Complex Hyaluronic Acid featuring 10 types of HA molecules, it deeply hydrates and plumps the skin by forming moisture-rich layers. The milky, lightweight texture glides smoothly onto the skin, leaving only a slight white cast that fades upon application, making it ideal for daily use and as a makeup primer. Hypoallergenic and free from artificial fragrances, parabens, and other harsh ingredients, it's safe for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. As part of Torriden's clean beauty commitment, the product is vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged sustainably with FSC-certified materials.
- Some other brands in our list of recommendations are AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen and Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun.
D) Super Convenient Sunsticks:
A sun stick offers a convenient, mess-free way to apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Its compact size makes it perfect for on-the-go use, while the solid format allows for precise, hygienic application—especially around the eyes, nose, and ears. Ideal for layering over makeup, it leaves no greasy residue and helps encourage regular reapplication for effective sun protection. Take a look at some of the popular sun sticks available:
- SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Silky-Fit Sun Stick: This featherlight sun stick offers strong UV protection without a white cast, while hydrating and soothing skin with the Hyalu-Cica formula. It leaves a silky, moisturized finish and resists sweat and sebum—perfect for outdoor use.
- Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Daily Soothing Sun Shield (Sun Stick):This vegan, reef-safe chemical sun stick offers SPF50+ PA++++ broad-spectrum protection without a white cast, shielding skin from UV damage and environmental stress. Infused with fermented bamboo shoot extract, Ecotin, niacinamide, and adenosine, it hydrates, strengthens the skin barrier, and boosts radiance. The soft, powdery balm glides on smoothly with a semi-matte, cooling finish—no greasiness or makeup disruption. Free from GMOs, sulfates, drying alcohol, and tested safe for sensitive skin.
- Also worth a mention here is Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ which is lightweight, non-sticky and water resistant and helps protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays effectively.
E) Tone-up sunscreens:
- DewyTree Urban Shade Anti-Pollution Sun: Dewytree Urban Shade Anti-Pollution Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ is a gentle yet powerful sunscreen that not only shields your skin from harmful UV rays but also defends against urban pollutants like smog, fine dust, and blue light. Formulated with mild, EWG green grade ingredients, it delivers a light, non-greasy matte finish while locking in moisture. With a natural tone-up effect from pink calamine, it brightens and soothes the skin for a flawless, healthy look. Clinically proven to reduce fine dust adherence by 39.1%, this sunscreen is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Care Sunscreen: This chemical sunscreen offers broad-spectrum SPF50+ PA++++ protection while helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes. Enriched with Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, and Panthenol, it works to prevent excess melanin production and brighten the skin. With 79.3% moisturizing essence, it delivers deep hydration to keep skin smooth and firm. The lightweight essence formula absorbs quickly without caking or leaving a white cast.
- ISNTREE Onion Newpair Sunscreen: A lightweight purple SPF based on chemical sunscreen filters SPF40 PA+++. Its moisturizing formula replenishes the skin with moisture and helps balance the water and oil levels. It has a creamy texture with a unique purple shade that protects the skin and prepares it for the day.
- Also look out for WHA' YUNSUL Moisture Sun cream and Della Born Collagen Diamond Suntone Brightener
We hope this helps you with all the information you needed to protect your skin while nourishing it in this scorching heat!
