Our Favourite Korean Sunscreen For Oily Skin
🥇 Best “Matte & Oil Control”: Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick
🥈 Best for Dehydrated Oily Skin: SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica
🥉 Best Everyday Moisturiser + SPF: Round Lab Birch Juice
🏅 Best Lightweight Makeup Base: Isntree Watery Sun Gel
🏅 Best Nourishing Daily SPF: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun
Finding a sunscreen that works for oily or acne-prone skin can feel like an endless battle. For years, SPF meant thick, greasy, pore-clogging formulas, basically a guaranteed mid-day shine disaster. No wonder so many people skipped it.
But what if your sunscreen didn’t just protect you… What if it actually felt good?
That’s where K-beauty changes everything. Korean sunscreens are known for lightweight textures, advanced UV filters and soothing ingredients that work with oily skin, not against it. Suddenly, SPF becomes the step you look forward to.
Why oily skin needs smarter sunscreen?
It doesn’t matter how good the UV filters are if the texture makes you avoid wearing them. Korean formulas solve this problem with:
- featherlight textures
- oil-controlling ingredients
- zero white cast
- no pore-clogging residue
- finishes you can actually choose (matte, natural, dewy)
This is sun protection you’ll want to apply, and reapply.
What your sunscreen must have!
If you’re oily, breakout-prone, or both, use this checklist every time you shop:
SPF 50 and PA++++
High protection against UVB (burning) and UVA (ageing and pigmentation).
Oil-free and non-comedogenic
No extra grease, no clogged pores.
Lightweight textures
Think gel, serum, watery lotion, not thick cream.
A finish that suits your skin
Do you want shine-free matte or a soft natural glow? K-beauty lets you customise your SPF finish.
Ingredients that work with you...
Your Allies
- Niacinamide (oil control + brightening)
- Centella, Aloe, Green Tea (soothing)
- Silica, Dimethicone (soft-matte finish)
- Zinc Oxide (calming + protective)
- Modern filters like Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S/M (ultra-light, invisible)
Your Frenemies
- Heavy oils
- Thick emollients
- Strong fragrance
- Harsh alcohols
These tend to increase shine and irritation.
The K-Beauty SPF Hall of Fame
These SPFs are more than popular, they’re icons in Korea and globally.
1. SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum
Best for: oily but dehydrated skin
Finish: natural satin
Texture: watery lotion-serum
Why it works:
This formula blends Centella, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide with new-gen filters that feel weightless. Leaves skin calm, hydrated and fresh, never greasy.
Watch out:
If you’re in a very humid climate, the dewy glow may be shiny.
2. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
Best for: normal-oily beginners or anyone wanting SPF + moisture in one
Finish: soft, dewy
Texture: creamy lotion
Why it works:
Packed with rice extract, probiotics and niacinamide, it feels like a moisturiser that happens to be SPF 50. No tugging, no stickiness.
Watch out:
Can feel rich on very oily skin. Buy from trusted sellers, it’s often counterfeited.
3. Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Sunscreen
Best for: combination or dehydrated skin
Finish: subtle glow
Texture: creamy but fast-absorbing
Why it works:
Birch sap + HA + niacinamide = hydration, calmness and barrier support. Perfect if your skin gets flaky or tight underneath makeup.
Watch out:
It can get shiny in humid weather.
4. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel
Best for: oily, acne-prone skin
Finish: natural to semi-matte
Texture: ultra-thin watery gel
Why it works:
Six modern UV filters and eight types of hyaluronic acid keep the skin hydrated without heaviness. It layers beautifully under makeup and stays comfortable all day.
Watch out:
Some people experience eye stinging.
The easiest way to reapply: sun sticks
Let’s be honest, reapplying sunscreen every two hours is annoying. Over makeup? Even worse.
Sun sticks make it effortless.
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia
Best for: oily skin, touch-ups, shine control
Finish: instant matte
Texture: smooth, non-dragging balm
Why it works:
Silica absorbs oil like blotting paper with SPF. Mugwort calms redness. Perfect for mid-day shine, makeup refreshes, or on-the-go protection.
| Feature | SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica | BOJ Relief Sun | Round Lab Birch Juice | Isntree Watery Sun Gel | BOJ Matte Sun Stick |
| Key Actives | Centella, Niacinamide | Rice Extract, Probiotics | Birch Sap, Niacinamide | 8x Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides | Mugwort, Silica |
| Texture | Serum-lotion | Creamy lotion | Creamy, moisturising | Watery gel | Solid balm |
| Finish | Satin, natural | Dewy | Moisturizing glow | Semi-matte | True matte |
| Best for | Dehydrated oily | Normal-oily beginners | Combo/dehydrated | Oily or acne-prone | Oily touch-ups |
Quick Decision Guide
If you’re still torn, use this cheat sheet:
- Want the matter? → Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick
- Oily but dehydrated? → SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica
- Want SPF + moisturiser in one? → Round Lab Birch Juice
- Need makeup-friendly, semi-matte? → Isntree Watery Sun Gel
- Prefer soft, dewy glow? → Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun
Great SPF shouldn’t feel like a compromise. With the right Korean sunscreen, oily skin can stay protected, balanced, and comfortable, all day long.
