Korean Suncreams are the Latest Beauty Trend to Hit the UK
As temperatures soar in the UK this week, so does the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. However, skincare consumers are turning away from traditional suncreams in favour of Korean ones, with ‘Korean suncream’ and ‘Korean suncream’ generating 20k Google search results each month on average.
According to Melody Yuan, founder of Korean beauty retailer Skin Cupid, we’re seeing a huge shift in consumer preference towards Korean suncreams.“More and more people are turning towards Korean beauty for their skincare needs, and one of the latest products that people are wanting more of is suncream. This isn’t just because it’s been trending on TikTok, but because they genuinely deliver superior texture, performance and incredible skin benefits too.”
Melody goes on to discuss what the typical differences are between regular drug-store suncreams and Korean suncreams:
UV Filters
“Korean suncreams make use of newer, photostable chemical filters that offer broad-spectrum-like protection. Many of the suncreams are also hybrid formulas, combining chemical filters with physical ones such as zinc oxide, which will give you enhanced protection against the sun.
On the other hand, the Western suncreams that you’ll find in your local drug stores are limited by older FDA-approved filters such as an ingredient called Avobenzone, which can degrade more quickly in sunlight and thereby reduce its effectiveness.”
Texture
“While Western suncreams often feel heavy and greasy on the skin, which can put people off wearing them, Korean formulas are typically known for how lightweight they are. The idea of Korean suncream is to feel and work like skincare, not just a chore to stop you from getting burnt.
Sometimes, the suncreams we pick up in our supermarkets can feel quite heavy or chalky, and some lightweight versions of Western suncreams contain drying alcohols which may irritate sensitive skin.”
Ingredients
“What sets Korean suncreams apart from others is their dual role, prioritising both sun protection and the overall nourishment of your skin.
Many contain hero ingredients such as Centella Asiatica, Niacinamide, and Vitamin C to calm, brighten, and protect the skin barrier, even while you’re out in the sun.
Western suncreams, by comparison, typically prioritise UV protection.”
SPF isn’t the only thing you should look for on the bottle – what the labels really mean
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it refers to the protection level against the rays that cause sunburn – UVB rays. However, SPF doesn’t account for UVA rays, which can penetrate even deeper into the skin and are a huge factor in ageing. While many Western suncreams do offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays (referred to as “broad-spectrum” protection), they generally do not use a rating system for the amount of defence a suncream provides against UVA rays. Korean suncreams, however, always indicate this protection level using the PA (Protection Grade of UVA) rating system. This makes it much easier to determine if the suncream you’re buying offers the right amount of defence against UV rays for your needs.
Suncream advice from Melody:
“Suncream is vital when the weather is hot and sunny, like it is in the UK right now, but it should also be the last step in any daily skincare routine. UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so they can damage your skin even when it’s overcast!
Korean suncreams tend to offer more advanced protection than Western ones, and they absorb quickly, making them a great choice when the sun is out in force and you don’t want your skin to feel greasy in the heat”.