Handpicked everything for YOU, meticulously checking all the ingredients—just like I always do 😉
What’s new in 2026:
This year, manufacturers made the textures even lighter, non-sticky, and non-greasy: last summer’s trend is gaining even more momentum—for the face, it’s not even SPF creams anymore, but SPF serums and SPF waters.
Plus, most of them focus on strengthening the skin barrier—against skin stress from heat, salt water, wind, etc.
The Koreans and Japanese are using the exact same next-generation filters as in previous years—the only difference is how each brand combines them with different ingredients and in different proportions; that’s what the effectiveness depends on.
Attention! Japanese and Korean sunscreens (some European ones too) made for the US market differ in ingredients from those made for the rest of the world! They have different filters—more outdated ones (I have a post about this here)—so the original Asian versions are more advanced, buy those.
In this roundup, I’m giving you the Asian versions.
ALL options have the maximum protection factor — SPF50+ PA++++
1. Make p:rem UV Defense Me. Matte Airy-fit Sunscreen
Mineral filters (zinc oxide), light airy texture, matte finish, oil-control, soothing and refreshing effect.
- Alcohol-free; active ingredients include hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, and centella asiatica.
2. VT PDRN Air Cloud Sunscreen
My favorite VT (I mean the brand)! Super-light, weightless, transparent texture, skin barrier strengthening, plus a boost in moisture and elasticity.
- A modern, reliable complex of next-generation filters, ginseng PDRN, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid. Alcohol-free and fragrance-free.
3. iUNIK Centella Calming Daily Sun Water
Sun water! Lovely :). A soothing sunscreen water-serum with next-generation chemical broad-spectrum filters, a super-light watery texture, and soothing, refreshing ingredients—centella concentrate (4.9%!), hyaluronic acid, and allantoin.
- Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and free of greasy oils.
4. I’m from Apricot Clear Sun Serum
And another ultra-light, airy texture! A sunscreen serum with next-generation chemical filters and a special active complex (including apricot extract) aimed at cooling and relieving heat irritation.
- They promise to improve makeup longevity! Also recommended for preventing breakouts.
- Alcohol-free and fragrance-free.
5. numbuzin No.9 NAD Peptides Dewy Sun Essence
Now here’s another ultra-light texture, but with a dewy finish, and overall this product is geared more toward mature, non-oily skin. White-cast free, with next-generation chemical filters, a soothing effect.
- An anti-aging, stimulating, and lifting complex (NAD+, 9 peptides, and collagen).
- Alcohol-free and fragrance-free.
6. Dr.G Skin Boost PDRN Sun Serum
And yet another serum! A weightless, watery sunscreen serum with the most modern chemical filters, plus a complex that plumps skin with moisture and restores the protective barrier (PDRN, collagen, and hyaluronic acid).
- Alcohol-free and fragrance-free.
7. DEWYTREE Urban Shade Cool Calming Moist Sun
And here we have a big 150ml tube! You can use it for the body too. A light-textured sunscreen lotion with next-generation chemical filters, offering a cooling, moisturizing, and soothing effect—the formula includes panthenol, centella, and hyaluronic acid.
- Alcohol-free and fragrance-free.
8. Kao Biore UV Aqua Rich Airy Hold Cream SPF 50+ PA++++
The only Japanese product in this roundup (the rest are Korean) and the only option with alcohol—the Japanese love using a decent amount of alcohol in their sunscreens, which is why I actually walked away from them a while ago because my sensitive skin reacted badly to it.
- BUT! It has a light texture and very good, long-lasting sun protection—it also uses modern, reliable chemical filters. This year I still grabbed a Biore for myself to use on my décolletage area; I won’t risk putting it on my face.
9. House of Hur Matcha Light Sun Cream
And a new SPF option from House of Hur—a sunscreen lotion with a light, non-whitening, non-greasy texture, a matte finish, reliable protection (next-generation chemical filters), skin barrier strengthening, and potent antioxidant protection.
- Also recommended for acne-prone, oily skin.
- The formula includes green tea actives, panthenol, and peptides. Alcohol-free and fragrance-free.
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