The Glow Up Guidebook

Let’s talk about one of my favorite skincare products: the Korean sunscreen stick. In this post, I’m breaking down ten of the best Korean sunscreen sticks on the market so you can find the right one for you! 

Korean skincare brands take an innovative approach to sun protection in general and sunscreen sticks in particular. They are known for “cosmetically elegant” sunscreen formulas that feel lighter, more hydrating, and that work well under makeup. Korean sunscreens use newer filters that offer a high-level protection against both UVA and UVB rays, which aren’t available yet in sunscreens manufactured in the United States. 

But one thing to remember about Korean sunscreens is that these cosmetically elegant formulas are not designed to withstand heavy sweat, water, or smudging. They’re better suited for everyday wear, like you would have on your daily commute or a trip to the grocery store. They also require regular reapplication (as do all sunscreens!), because sweat and smudging can create gaps in the lightweight formulas’ protective film.

But let’s be honest — only the diehard skincare fanatics among us are carrying around a tube of liquid sunscreen so that we can reapply throughout the day. Most people put sunscreen on once in the morning and that’s it. Actually, most people don’t even do that. 

Korean sunscreen sticks make reapplication more convenient. They are compact, can be applied over makeup, won’t leak in your bag, and they’re less messy to use than liquid sunscreens. 

One downside is that it’s easier to miss a spot when you’re using a sunscreen stick since they can be hard to get into all the nooks and crannies of your face. It also takes a few swipes to get the level of SPF protection that’s listed on the packaging, making them a better choice for sunscreen touch-ups than your first line of defense. Still, these sticks make me more likely to actually reapply my sunscreen throughout the day, so I think they’re doing more good than harm in the world.  

Here are a few of my favorite Korean sunscreen sticks if you’re interested in trying one for yourself: 

The Best Korean Sunscreen Sticks:

1. Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camellia SPF50 PA++++

The Beauty of Joseon sunscreen stick is my favorite of all the brands I’ve tried so far. It uses newer chemical filters that offer a broad range of UVA and UVB protection while leaving no white cast on the skin. It also has silica powder, which helps control sebum and leaves me with a matte, pore-blurring finish. The application is also lightweight and velvety smooth which makes it a joy to use. And it’s fragrance and essential oil free, which makes it a good choice for sensitive skin. 

2. Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++

The Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick is another popular option. This is a hybrid sunscreen that uses both chemical and mineral filters, but it leaves no visible white cast on my skin. The finish is less matte than the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen stick, but it’s not quite dewy either. This product does have a vaguely floral smell, but it’s very pleasant and not overpowering. 

3. Sun Project Silky Calming Sun Stick SPF 50

Next on my list is the Sun Project Silky Calming Sun Stick from Thank You Farmer. This Korean sunscreen stick is a viral TikTok sensation for a reason. It glides on effortlessly and reapplies so nicely over makeup. It’s also water-resistant and contains both centella asiatica, and calamine, two ingredients with soothing, healing properties. The finish is on the dewier side, but still non-greasy and I find that it holds up well to sweat. 

4.  Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Airy Sun Stick SPF 50+

The Isntree sunscreen stick is a good option if you want a sunscreen that can also help your skin stay hydrated throughout the day. It’s a chemical sunscreen with both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. The finish is slightly dewy but not overly shiny. 

I liked the tear-drop shape of this product, which made it easy to wiggle it into the contours of my face without missing spots. I did find that my foundation would smear onto this stick when I reapplied over makeup, which is the only reason it’s not at the top of my list. If you don’t wear makeup often then I think this is still a great option for you. 

5. SKIN1004 – Hyalu-Cica Silky-Fit Sun Stick 20g

I really enjoyed this chemical sunscreen stick. It left my skin hydrated and moisturized, had zero scent, and glided on so easily . The finish was on the matte side, but throughout the day my oily forehead got progressively shinier, which is why it’s not at the top of the list. Despite that, I would buy this stick again. 

Skin 1004 is quickly becoming one of my favorite K Beauty brands, especially when it comes to their sunscreens. The liquid version of this stick is my holy grail Korean sunscreen so it’s no surprise I liked this stick so much. 

6. Make Prem UV Defense Me Calming Sun Stick

The Make Prem UV Defense Me Calming Sun Stick is my pick for an all-mineral filter Korean sunscreen stick. It uses non-nano zinc oxide, which causes less irritation than mineral filters with smaller particles. It leaves a slight white cast that may not work on darker skin tones, but it looked fine on me. The finish is between matte and dewy, which is great for a mineral sunscreen. I often find them drying. 

7. Birch Moisturizing Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++

The Round Lab sunscreen stick is a hydrating formula that’s packed with a lot of beneficial ingredients, including peptides, vitamin c, aloe, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin. It has a nice lightweight texture that’s also slightly cooling, and it applies easily. This stick caused a little bit of stinging for me so it may not be the best choice for people with sensitive skin. 

8. B-Lab Matcha Hydrating Sun Stick

The B-Lab Matcha Hydrating Sun Stick is an affordable, lightweight option. The packaging is cute and compact, and I like how easily this fits into a small purse. The tear-drop shape also makes application easy. It contains camellia sinesis leaf extract, which is supposed to have antioxidant and skin-healing properties. 

9. Mary & May Vegan Peptide Sun Stick

This is a cute little sun stick from a K Beauty brand that doesn’t get the love it deserves. It has a pleasant floral scent which I liked, but it may be a little overpowering for some. The texture isn’t oily or greasy but it does leave a slight shine, and the residue feels a little heavy with repeated applications. This sun stick contains bakuchiol, an antioxidant plant extract that has properties similar to retinol. 

10. Scinic Enjoy Super Active Airy Sun Stick

The Scinic Enjoy Super Active Airy Sun Stick is one to try if you’re oily skinned. It has a nice, lightweight texture and a mild, pleasant scent that’s clean and floral. The finish is matte and I found that it helped balance out my sebum production while I was wearing it. It also contains licorice root extract, one of my favorite ingredients for skin brightening. 

There you have it, the best Korean sunscreen sticks, IMO. Now I’d love to hear about your favorite sunscreen stick. Tell me about it in the comments below!

xoxo, 

Alex