Korean stick sunscreen is everywhere right now and everyone’s obsessed with them, but here’s the real question: do they actually provide adequate sun protection? The short answer is mmm only in limited cases, so before you go replacing all your regular sunscreen with sticks, here’s everything you need to know including what they actually are, whether they’re gonna protect you properly, and what the best Korean sun sticks to add to your skincare routine are.
What Is Korean Stick Sunscreen?
Korean stick sunscreen is sunscreen in a stick form, kind of like a giant chapstick or those glue sticks from school but for your face. You twist it up from the bottom and swipe it directly on your skin. The whole appeal is that it’s convenient – no mess, your hands stay clean, and you can toss it in your bag for touch-ups. The reason Korean ones specifically got so popular is because they’re way more cosmetically elegant than western stick sunscreens. Like western ones tend to be thick and chalky and make you look like a ghost, but Korean brands figured out how to make them lightweight and not leave a white cast or overly greasy residue. They don’t make you look greasy and they actually feel better on your skin when you’re piling on the layers.
Do They Provide Adequate Sun Protection For Daily Use?
So here’s the deal – stick sunscreens really aren’t a good choice as your main sun protection if you’re gonna be outside a lot. Here’s why”
- When you actually measure out how much you need for a full proper application, it’s way more product than you’d think. Michelle of Lab Muffin has done the experiments and what she found is surprising (check the results here).
- When you use that much product (cos one swipe just won’t protect you properly), it feels heavy and slippery and gross on your skin, plus it takes forever to apply compared to just squirting some lotion on your face.
- You’re also more likely to miss spots because you can’t see where you’ve already applied as easily.
- And on top of all that these things cost more than regular sunscreen, so you’re literally paying extra for worse protection.
But they’re not completely useless, they just work better for specific stuff. A stick sunscreen is actually really good as a light top-up throughout the day. If you put on regular sunscreen in the morning and you just need to refresh it a bit during the day, especially if you’re wearing makeup, a stick is perfect for that. You’re not trying to do a full application, you’re just adding a little extra.
And sometimes they’re just more practical when nothing else is working. Like if you’ve got kids who won’t sit still or toddlers who absolutely hate the feeling of you rubbing sunscreen on them and they’re fighting you the whole time. A quick swipe with a stick is better than no sunscreen at all when they’re squirming away.
So basically Korean SPF sticks are convenient for specific situations but don’t think you can use them as your only sunscreen if you’re actually gonna be in the sun for real.
Related: Do Spray Sunscreens Provide Adequate Sun Protection?
What Are The Best Korean Sunscreen Sticks?
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camelia ($9.00)
This is probably one of the most popular Korean stick sunscreens out there right now and I totally get the hype. The protection is solid with SPF 50+ and PA++++, and it uses a mix of good modern chemical filters to provide broad-spectrum protection. The texture is actually really nice and lightweight for a stick sunscreen, it glides on smooth without being heavy or waxy like some other stick sunscreens I’ve tried. There’s no white cast which is great, and the matte finish is legit without being drying or making your skin feel stripped. The silica powder in it absorbs oil really well so if you’re oily or combo this is perfect, it actually controls shine throughout the day. The main thing though is it can pill, depending on what you’re layering it with. The trick is to make sure your skin is well moisturized before using it because if your skin’s dry or dehydrated it’s more likely to pill up. Overall it’s a solid choice for touch-ups during the day, just don’t expect it to be your main sunscreen if you’re gonna be outside for hours.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Boots, Sephora, Stylevana, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Uvinul and Tinosorb S.
Benefits: Provides broad-spectrum SPF without being overly greasy.
Cons: Can pill.
Skin type: Anyone can use it, but it’s best suitable for combination, acne-prone, and oily skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
TOCOBO Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++ ($16.00)
This is always tops the list of favorite Korean sunscreen sticks and here’s why. The protection is solid with SPF 50+ and PA++++, and it’s a hybrid formula so it uses both chemical and physical filters plus niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and a bunch of herbal extracts like evening primrose and jojoba oil to keep skin hydrated. The texture is where this one gets interesting: it comes out as a light blue stick and it’s described as matte but it’s not as intensely matte, it’s more like a soft matte or semi-matte finish. It has this silky silicone-y feel to it that some people describe as chalky. It doesn’t glide on quite as smoothly as a lotion obviously since it’s a solid stick, and you might need to warm it up a bit on the back of your hand first to avoid tugging on your skin. The good news is there’s zero white cast even though it has titanium dioxide in it, which is pretty impressive for a hybrid formula. You can layer it multiple times and it still stays transparent. The finish leaves your skin feeling like you have a primer on, kind of that smooth silky texture but you can definitely feel there’s a layer on your skin. It’s not uncomfortable but it’s noticeable especially right after you apply it.
Available at: Asos, Superdrug and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Octocrylene, Octinoxate, Tinosorb S, Uvinul A Plus, Titanium Dioxide, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
Benefits: Provides excellent protection against the harmful UV rays.
Cons: Feels a little chalky and has fragrance.
Skin type: All skin types except sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: No.
SCINIC Enjoy Super Active Airy Sun Stick: SPF50+ PA++++ ($9.61)
I wasn’t sure whether to include this one, but it’s kind of a classic Korean stick sunscreen and you need to know about it. Protection is SPF 50+ and PA++++ and it’s all chemical filters (from old and new generations). So you’re getting broad spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB rays and it’s sweat-resistant which makes it decent for outdoor stuff. Unfortunately, it’s also loaded with essential oils(lavender oil, lemon peel oil, and mandarin orange peel oil). Essential oils in sunscreen are just unnecessary and can irritate your skin, so if you’re sensitive this might not work for you.
The texture goes on completely clear with zero white cast. When you do a light application with just a few swipes it feels smooth and not really greasy or sticky. But here’s the thing – when you start layering it to get proper coverage it gets slippery and starts feeling oily on your skin. It looks matte but when you touch your face you can feel the greasiness. It doesn’t pill up which is good. The size is tiny so it runs out really fast if you’re using it regularly. If you’ve got dry skin and you’re just doing light touch-ups throughout the day this works pretty well, but if you’re oily or you want to apply a proper amount for real protection it gets too greasy.
Available at: Stylevana and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Octocrylene, octinoxate, uvinul A plus and tinosorb S.
Benefits: Provides excellent protection against the harmful UV rays to prevent premature aging.
Cons: Can feel greasy when you pile it on.
Skin type: Dry skin.
Fragrance-free: No.Technically yes. But it’s loaded with essential oils that make it smell good and can irritate sensitive skin.
Mixsoon Bean Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++ ($15.23)
This one’s from Mixsoon which is known for their fermented bean products. Protection is SPF 50+ and PA++++ with all chemical filters (mostly from the new generation, so gentler on the skin). So you’re getting broad spectrum coverage with modern stable filters. The whole thing is based around fermented ingredients which is mixsoon’s signature (fermented soybean extract, fermented pomegranate extract, fermented barley extract, and fermented pear extract), but honestly there’s not much proof they do much of anything *sighs*.
The texture is silky and smooth with a powdery matte finish. It goes on clear with zero white cast. It’s waterproof which is good. The formula doesn’t have any fragrance which is great if you’re sensitive to scent, and it doesn’t have silicones either which is unusual for a stick sunscreen – most of them are loaded with silicones but this one relies on waxes and esters instead. Overall this is a solid option if you want something matte and lightweight, and the fact that it’s fragrance-free and silicone-free is a nice bonus.
Available at: Stylevana and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb S.
Benefits: Provides excellent protection with a natural finish.
Cons: The fermented ingredients don’t do much.
Skin type: All skin types.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
FAQ About Korean Stick Sunscreen
Can I use Korean stick sunscreen under makeup?
Yeah totally! That’s actually one of the best uses for them. Most Korean beauty brands make lightweight formulas that don’t mess up your foundation. Just make sure you’re using a regular liquid sunscreen underneath first for actual protection, then the stick is perfect for touch-ups throughout the day without ruining your look. The natural finish on most K-beauty brands works way better under makeup than Western sunscreens.
Do stick sunscreens melt in hot weather?
Kinda yeah. That compact size is convenient but if you leave it in a hot car or your bag in the sun, it can get soft and musty. Not great for outdoor activities in summer heat. Store it somewhere cool and you’re good. The creamy texture ones are worse about this than matte formulas with silica powder.
Will Korean sun sticks work on darker skin tones?
Depends on the formula. Chemical sunscreen types usually work fine with no white cast. But if it’s got physical sunscreen filters like titanium dioxide (the TOCOBO Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF has this), you might get some white cast even though Korean skincare brands try to minimize it. Best to check reviews from people with your skin tone before buying.
How long does one stick sunscreen last?
Not long if you’re using it right, which is the problem. For proper sun protection you need way more product than people think. That’s why they’re better as a touch-up in your skin care routine, not your main SPF. One stick might last a month or two for daily touch-ups, but way less if you’re trying to use it as your only defense against harmful UVA rays and sun damage.
Can I use stick sunscreen around my eyes?
Yeah, that’s actually where they shine! Way easier than getting liquid sunscreen near your eyes. Just be gentle and don’t tug the skin. Good for preventing dark spots and sun damage in that delicate area. The Mixsoon Bean Sun Stick SPF is fragrance-free so it won’t irritate if you’re sensitive.
Are Korean stick sunscreens reef-safe?
Not all of them. You’d need to check the specific ingredients – avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate which harm coral reefs. A lot of Korean sunscreen sticks use newer UV filters like Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus which are generally better for the environment.
Do I need a separate sunscreen for my body or can I use stick sunscreen everywhere?
Stick sunscreens are way too expensive and impractical for your whole body. Use regular liquid sunscreens for your body – way better coverage and cheaper. Save the stick for your face and neck for touch-ups. That’s the smart way to protect your skin health without going broke.
The Bottom Line
Korean stick sunscreens are cute and convenient and way better than those chalky Western sunscreens, which is why TikTok went crazy for them – but they’re honestly not gonna protect you properly if that’s all you’re using. You need so much product for real coverage that it feels gross and slippery, plus you’ll definitely miss spots and get patchy protection against sun damage. Use them for what they’re actually good at: touching up your SPF during the day, quick swipes over makeup, or when your kids are being difficult about skincare. Don’t fall for the hype and think a stick with centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid from Korean beauty brands can replace your regular sunscreen – your skin health isn’t worth the risk, and these things are way better as backup than your main defense against skin cancer.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
