SPF should be the final step in your skin-care routine. Cleanse, tone, hydrate, moisturize then protect. It’s a simple system that keeps your skin healthy regardless of the season. What’s not so simple is the process of choosing which sunscreen to use, thanks to an influx of unique formulations from all over the world. This year has proven this tenfold with many Australian and Korean SPFs making their way stateside. It’s no secret that the regulations in other countries often yield highly protective products or that sunscreen ingredient approval in the U.S. hasn’t evolved since the late ‘90s. K-beauty SPFs have thrived in beauty superstores for their elegant formulas and protection, but a new wave of Australian brands is proving to be just as beneficial. With each being increasingly accessible, deciding on which formula to use can be a challenge. Below, we spoke with medical experts on the differences between the two and which skin types they work best for.
Featured experts
- Tanya Kormeili, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Monica, CA
- Maryam Safaee, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles
- Zion Ko Lamm, MD is a board-certified internist in Charlotte, NC
Australian vs Korean SPF
While several elements differentiate these SPFs, the main factor is the regulations of their respective countries. “Australian regulations mandate sunscreens as therapeutic products and require strict testing for broad-spectrum protection, water resistance and photostability,” says Santa Monica, CA dermatologist Tanya Kormeili, MD. These regulations ensure that the SPF products are effective in the high UV environments found in Australia. On the contrary, Korean sunscreens are regarded as cosmetic products, and the regulatory standards are much less rigid.
According to Los Angeles dermatologist Maryam Safaee, MD, sunscreens must be tested on the skin for both UVA and UVB in Australia. However, in Korea, testing can occur in the lab and not necessarily on the skin. This results in Korean SPF products that are cosmetically aligned—think silky textures and formulas that wear well with makeup. “Australian SPFs are more focused on durability and water resistance,” says Dr. Kormeili.
What makes Australian and Korean SPFs unique?
The active ingredients in sunscreen are determined through the regulation process. In that vein, Dr. Safaee says that Australian products generally include filters that have proven stable in high UV environments, like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, octocrylene and bemotrizinol. While Korean sunscreens also use modern filters, Charlotte, NC internist, Zion Ko Lamm, MD, notes that formulations often highlight newer options. “Filters such as Uvinul A Plus or Tinosorb M are common because they offer UVA protection and a lightweight finish,” says Dr. Lamm. Access to new-gen technology is nothing new for K-beauty formulas. However, in the case of sunscreens and SPF products, the marriage between protection and cosmetic adaptability gives them a different appeal.
Who do they work best for?
Choosing an SPF comes down to your skin’s needs and what you’d like the product to do. “When it comes to formulation, it’s not that one is inherently stronger than the other—they’re just designed with different priorities in mind,” says Dr. Lamm. Australian SPFs are ideal for outdoor activity, sweating or long sun exposure. They hold up in high UV index regions and are water-resistant, often designed for long-wear use. Korean SPFs tend to work better for daily wear and have lightweight textures that allow them to be worn under makeup effortlessly. They also work well for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. The bottom line? There’s no one-size-fits-all sunscreen. “What matters most is that you wear it consistently, so it’s best to choose a product that fits your lifestyle,” adds Dr. Lamm.
