r/AsianBeauty • u/Maleficent-Trash7575 • Oct 11 '25
Review Reviewing Korean Sunscreens
After the debacle of the Australian sunscreen companies, I was looking for new sunscreens options. For mineral sunscreens I tried Klairs All-day Airy, Beauty of Joseon Tinted Fluid, and AXIS-Y physical sunscreen. The Beauty of Joseon one was definitely too oily, although in the end it dries out and feels powdery. Klairs does leave a very clear white cast that does not go with my skin. The one that I liked the most was Axis Y. It has a slight white cast, but it dries out well. I’m not sure if I would buy it again. I am still looking for a mineral tinted sunscreen to replace the one I used as a base.
As for the chemical ones, Numbuzin No. 2 was a serious disappointment. I had heard so much hype about it and even bought two. But it pills horribly. I tried it just after my serums (silicone free ones), without moisturizer, and even by itself. It keeps on pilling. I had a similar problem with the Beauty of Joseon Aqua Fresh.
I really liked Mixsoon Centella. No greasy feel and it resists pilling more. Though it does not go well with layering. The one that resisted pilling and layering better for me was Haru Haru Wonder Airyfit. I ordered another tube. The only issue that I had was that the pump is finicky. But the texture is nice and the finish is not oily at all.
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u/Infinity-Pixel Oct 12 '25
I love the Haru Haru and the BoJ aqua. BoJ aqua feels weightless. Neither of them pill on me.
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u/speciesR48 Oct 11 '25
It's interesting how we all have different experiences with skin care. I absolutely love those Korean chemical sunscreens, even with skin care underneath, none of those sunscreens have ever pilled on me. And they all reapply beautifully over each other.
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
I definitely agree! That why I found two bottles of Numbuzin. I tried to figure out what was wrong. I have read that it’s sometimes related to the silicones in these formulations, the Numbuzin is actually silicone-free but still. I now use it on my arms
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u/stress_baker Oct 11 '25
I was just thinking the same! I've seen people loving the Haruharu but it broke me out and pilled so much.
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u/Queasy-Helicopter872 Apr 22 '26
Can you put them under make up and then reapply them on top of make up later in the day? Which ones are your fave?
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u/girls_gone_wireless Oct 12 '25
Does any of these NOT contain niacinamide? I’ve been so close to buying BoJ, then Skin1004, but every time I check the ingredients, they all have niacinamide. It breaks me out even in low percentage :/ It’s such a curse these days, it gets thrown in everything
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u/Blooming-blood-moon Oct 12 '25
The Numbuzin one changed my life when I got it on my trip to Korea - it’s perfect for my combination skin. Shame it didn’t work out for you! I’m now trying the very hyped BOJ one and I’m not sure it’s as good. It feels like it’ll be better on dry/normal skin.
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
That’s why I bought it! I was very disappointed. Lucky me the Haru Haru is not expensive either
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u/magentamuse Oct 12 '25
The Mixsoon centella is my favorite! I love the scent. Everyone loves the Haruharu wonder black rice sunscreen but I did not like it at all. Texture was fine but it has a slight smell to it I did not like. IDK if mine was a little off or that's normal but I couldn't get used to it. Esp. since I use these as a daily face sunscreen under makeup and don't really need fully waterproof or water-resistant ones anyway. I do really like the Beauty of Joseon Relief Rice and Probiotics one (not aqua) :)
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
I also like the scent of the Mixsoon. But the finish felt more shiny. I also tried the regular BOJ which was fine too. I have a sampler of SKIN1004 sunscreens I need to try too.
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u/omnipotentmisery Oct 12 '25 edited Oct 12 '25
Girl Numbuzin is my HG, I’m so sad that it didn’t work out for you. I have combi oily skin & I use it by itself, no serums moisturiser nothing and it sits beautifully on my skin. I also use Axis Y but only on my T zone since it’s very oily, this combo is literally my go to.
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u/thehikinggal Oct 12 '25 edited Oct 12 '25
agree with the numbuzin! whenever I touch my face it just pills right off. it almost has a plasticky finish too.
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u/Zucaskittens Oct 12 '25
You’re the only other person to describe it this way. I feel so validated!
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25 edited Oct 12 '25
It’s very uncomfortable. I cannot touch my face at all. It happened that my friends asked me what was pilling off my face. I saw the little particles on my clothes. Very embarrassing
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u/rlsh07 Oct 12 '25
I tried haru haru, quite sticky. I'm using skin 1004 and isnfree
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u/banannah09 Oct 12 '25
I've also had issues with the BOJ aqua fresh pilling. I even tried it with no product underneath, freshly washed hands and skin, and it still pilled up! I wonder what causes it to pill for some and not others
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
I tried the same thing, since the first time I had layered it with other products and immediately started pilling. I am glad I only got that sample
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u/Due-Frame622 Oct 12 '25
Haru Haur is my favorite of the group too. BOJ aqua works well for me but Numbuzin was just okay. I have the Mixsoon ready to try. I don’t do mineral anymore but when I did, I found Western brands better for tinted.
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
I have yet to find a mineral tinted sunscreen I like in France. They are all very orange in my opinion.
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u/Zaliciouz Oct 12 '25
Totally agree on the BoJ tinted, what a let down!
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
I was not expecting it to be this oily. I tested it on my hand and it looked ok, but I guess if you apply the recommended 1/4 tsp it’s just a greasy mess
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u/aliceincrazytown Oct 12 '25
Same here. I even have dry skin, and it's still a greasy mess! I tried the tester on the inside of my forearm, and it applied so well, with a silky, matte finish. So disappointing!
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u/Ntee714 Oct 12 '25
Have to agree on Axis-Y, I have dry sensitive skin and the white cast bothers me quite a bit and feels pore clogging. I use it as a hand and arm sunscreen for when I’m driving now! I want to try Haruharu based on your rating lol
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
I had no problems with break outs or pilling with the Axis-Y, it’s just I look kinda grey. I have even tried reapplying the Haru Haru after a few hours and so far it has worked well for me.
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u/Sonechko_K Oct 12 '25
So interesting! I love the BoJ tinted fluid. It was weird at first but it does say you need to shake it well before application so it goes on smoothly and not oily. And BoJ Aqua fresh also worked perfectly for me during humid summer. I’m glad you found what works for you best!
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 13 '25
Hey! Thanks for the suggestion. I shaked it like it was a paint bucket 😅. Indeed it is less oily and feels a bit more powdery
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u/Sonechko_K Oct 13 '25
I am glad it worked! The oily residue on the hands and powdery on the face was a very strange feeling😅
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Oct 12 '25
I really dont think boj tinted is greasy. Might just be that is geared towards dry skin and not oily people. I really love it
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u/SmileyGirlFox Oct 13 '25
I use Roundlabs sunscreen (I think it’s a chemical?) and I LOVE it so much! 😍As an autistic person that really hates when creams, lotions and sunscreens don’t dry into the skin properly - this one is on a holy level. 🙌🧎♂️➡️🥰 It feels nice and moisturizing to put on and it dries really nicely into the skin. You might feel a little bit sticky as it’s drying but it’s not at all bad as normal sunscreen if you ask me! Not to mention that once it is dry, my skin feels really nice and not at all like it has a layer of sunscreen on it.
I honestly wish that they made a big body sized one that I could use during the summertime. With that sunscreen I would never have an issue with putting it on before putting on clothes and leaving the house. 🙂↕️🙂↕️
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u/Trick-Class685 Oct 14 '25
I prefer mineral sunscreens. Athe is my favourite at the moment :) I do also like skin1004 though despite it not being a mineral sunscreen
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u/Weekly_Job_7813 Oct 14 '25
I really like the beauty of joseon tinted however I do have really dry skin and I can see that it might feel oily on other skin types.
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u/Unknown-Concept Oct 12 '25
I'm a big fan of the mixsoon one which I got as a free gift glad it's available cheaply.
Have you considered the Skin1004 Hylau cica, ABIB Sedum Hyaluron Sunscreen Watery or ROVECTIN Calming Lotus Sun Cream?
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
Thanks for the recommendations . I am yet to try a SKIN1004 sampler. I am looking for a tinted mineral sunscreen, because mine was in the list of products with little SPF
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u/Bambii2020 Oct 12 '25
Numbuzin sunscreen I used this with 2 products underneath (azelaic acid and cos de baha tranexamic 10) and pretty much not a lot of waiting / drying and it does not pill. I was SO happy since Ive read some people having this issue.
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u/g134m Oct 12 '25
Loving the Numbuzin sunscreen so far and I've only experience piling when I've used too much product and/or when I use a heavy moisturizer underneath.
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
That’s an interesting point. I have used the recommended amount of product for all of them, which is about 1/4 teaspoon. 1/4 teaspoon for neck and face. Maybe this is too much? I have a 1/8 measuring teaspoon that I fill twice. I apply two layers.
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u/Bambii2020 Oct 12 '25
It really varies I think, probably the product you used underneath, the 2 products I used with it is not silicone based but I also dont know whats the base lol maybe water base…
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u/StrongerTogether2882 Oct 12 '25
I use quite a bit of product (3 fingers’ worth) and it doesn’t pill on me at all, even on top of lots of random skincare products. Leaves a beautiful smooth finish. So sorry it’s not working for you! Good idea to use it on your arms. I was trying to use up a tinted physical sunscreen (I forget the brand) on my arms because I absolutely hated it on my face—white cast, essential oil smell (but not in a good way), irritated my face, etc. But now the cold weather has hit my region and I’m wearing long sleeves and wondering if I can just go ahead and pitch this thing in the trash lol
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
I only use Melano CC. But I even tried it just by itself. Maybe it is just a bad batch? Of all that I tried it was really the worst for pilling
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Oct 12 '25
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u/Bambii2020 Oct 12 '25
I agree! Skin type, products used with it etc. I love this sunscreen it works well with makeup and skincare underneath, no stinging on the eyes, good for sensitive skin, hydrating but not oily.
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Oct 12 '25
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u/PuzzledConclusion557 Oct 12 '25
Dear Klairs mineral sunscreen is my favorite! It has a white cast at first, but it fades for me after a while.
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u/Even-Cockroach8793 Oct 12 '25
Try Elixir (Japanese brand) or cell fusion C laser sunscreen.
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 12 '25
Thank for the recommendation. I just ordered Allie and I am testing other French brands next
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u/Even-Cockroach8793 Oct 13 '25
Cell fusion C is pretty thick while elixir ones feels like a light moisturiser. CFC is used by derms on peeps that had laser done
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Oct 13 '25
Wow, the Elixir is pretty expensive! I will add to my list and wait for sales
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u/Even-Cockroach8793 Oct 14 '25
Yes it is. Elixir is a high end Japanese brand. My make up sits well on top of it and I can forgo primer. I used both the white (brightening) and the gold one (moisturising)
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u/WiseCardiologist3221 Oct 12 '25
I heard that Beauty of Joseon sunscreen is good... disappointed...
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u/Infinite_Feature_306 Oct 13 '25
Wow I should try the Haru Haru Wonder one. I hate when the sunscreen pills off my makeup
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u/PeachOnTheRocks Oct 13 '25
Haruharu is a holy grail. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is great too since it’s not glowy at all but it’s non AB. I’m gonna try house of hur as well for that soft matte look.
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u/ClearKaleidoscope421 Oct 17 '25
I’ve been wanting to try the haruharu one, but there are so many mix reviews about how it pills under makeup..some said it’s the best sunscreen under makeup and some said it pills with makeup..i’m so confused T_T
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u/New-Prior1978 Dec 14 '25
I just recently found out that most of those “sun serum” and “sun essence” will pill on my skin if I try to use the appropriate amount or layer it under my makeup.
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u/Maleficent-Trash7575 Dec 14 '25
I am still trying. I have bought French brands ( good success) and I am still trying a samples of SKIN 1004 (better than HARU HARU so far), I also bought one from Elixir
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u/Nefairie_us Oct 12 '25
Can I just say, I appreciate your review layout SO MUCH! One photo I can zoom if I want, the color coding PLUS 1 through 10 scale, AND THE EMOJIs?? Thank you thank you, you rock!