First Impressions: 5 K-Beauty Sunscreens for Summer

I get asked “what makes Korean beauty products better?” all the time, and the answer is always the same: they’re not somehow magically better, because you can find good, bad, and mediocre products anywhere. They are quite innovative however, and where Asian cosmetics (including Korean beauty) really shine (in my eyes) is sunscreen.If I could send a message to myself 10 years ago, before I moved to the US and into the desert, I’d tell myself about Asian sunscreens. I used to think I couldn’t wear sunscreen, period! It gave me terrible skin reactions and felt unbearable. I got away with skipping sunscreen due to the relative weak sunlight in my region of Canada, but when I moved far south to an area of Texas that gets sandstorms, premature aging from epic sun damage happened fast.

 

I’ve rudely plunked my tray in the middle of the local wild bunny buffet

If I’d known there existed cosmetically elegant sunscreens that wouldn’t cause my skin to erupt in painful breakouts within hours, I’d still be enjoying the same wrinkle-free smoothness the women in my family normally have until their 40’s. Not to mention a lowered risk of, y’know, skin cancer.

In this post

• First impressions of 5 sunscreens from Goodal, Innisfree, & Make P:rem

I have reviewed one of these already, and I’m currently testing some of the others. Full reviews will come in the future, but after people on my Instagram expressed interest in a first impressions post, here they are!

Just as a quick reminder: this blog uses both affiliate and non-affiliate links, and if you choose to click the former before you shop, your purchase may contribute a tiny amount to the maintenance of this blog. See full details at the end of this post! #receipts

Goodal Mild Protect Natural Sun Fluid

Mmm, that 4th PA rating.

Full name: Goodal Mild Protect Natural Filter Sun Fluid SPF50+ PA++++

Where to get it: Amazon | eBay | Jolse | VutyDesign

Goodal Sensitive Relief Sun Cream

Bonus for easy squeeze tube packaging.

Full name:  Goodal Sensitive Relief Sun Cream SPF35 PA+++

Filters:  Physical/inorganic only. Titanium dioxide.

Initial thoughts:  This is only SPF35, which is fine for an indoor sunscreen/limited exposure. I’d prefer 50+. Considering how strongly frgranced Goodal sunscreens usually are, this is almost unscented.

Reviewed:  This is still a ways away on my testing schedule.

Innisfree Perfect UV Protection Cream Triple Care

The similar packaging of Innisfree’s sunscreens makes it easy to accidentally order the wrong one.

Full name:  Innisfree Perfect UV Protection Cream Triple Care SPF50+ PA+++

Filters:  Physical/inorganic only. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

White cast:  This is actually tinted! Surprised. It’s fine on me, but needs real swatching.

Initial thoughts:  It has a strangely sharp smell that reminds me of … patchouli? Very unexpected for a K-Beauty product.

Reviewed:  Also farther down the testing schedule list.

Make P:rem UV Defense Me Natural Sun Cream

This is a squeeze tube with a sturdy base to keep it from toppling over.

Full name:  Make P:rem UV Defense Me Natural Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++

Filters:  Physical/inorganic only. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

White cast:  Surprisingly minimal! I swatched it on Dr. Mr. The Pear, and while it does have an initial white cast, it’s much more subtle than any other physical filter sunscreen I’ve tried, and it softens after a while. I think this could stealth under makeup quite nicely even if you have a skin tone deeper than NC20.

Initial thoughts:  Unless this breaks me out during long-term testing, I love it. It goes on smoothly and is super comfortable to wear. Smells pleasant, isn’t too oily or too drying. I’m not sure how it performs under makeup yet, but I’ll include that in my eventual review.

Reviewed:  Long-term testing is currently underway!

Note: I bought both Make Pr:em sunscreens in a 2 pack for $36 from Amazon, because it was a better deal. 

Make P:rem UV Defense Me Capsule Sun Gel

 

I can’t believe I have a chemical sunscreen.

Full name:  Make P:rem UV Defense Me Capsule Sun Gel SPF50+ PA+++

White cast:  None. Nada. Zip. Perks of chemical sunscreens.

After a solid week of use, I bought a full size for further testing. It’s pretty moisturizing, so it may be too rich for some skin types.

Reviewed:  Long-term testing is currently underway, because I need to see how it plays with makeup, and high humidity.

Note: I bought both Make Pr:em sunscreens in a 2 pack for $36 from Amazon, because it was a better deal. You can buy the Make P:rem UV Defense Me Capsule Sun Gel from a few other shops, but it’s $$$$.