This £12 ‘skincare first’ Korean SPF has changed the game for sensitive skin

The Daily Record’s Rachel Williams swears by this K-beauty sunscreen to keep skin soothed during scorching heatwaves.

As someone who takes care of her skin, wearing daily SPF is a non-negotiable. Scotland has experienced numerous heatwaves this summer, with more scorchers on the way, it’s even more of a must.

But as someone whose skin type is quite sensitive and prone to redness, finding the right sunscreen that won’t cause irritation is quite difficult. Enter the K-Secret Seoul 1988 Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide, a “gentle” SPF that recently entered my radar.

As we all know, Korean skincare is having a moment. Aside from snail mucin toners and PDRN serums, the trend has become most notably known for its SPFs, with many boasting innovative ingredients and lightweight formulas to ensure skin looks and feels healthy.

Beauty of Joseon and Medicube might be the first brands that come to mind and rightfully so. But I am here to tell you why the underrated K-Secret Seoul 1988 Sun should be getting more attention. After trying it out for a few months now, I have provided my thoughts on why it’s a game changer for those with sensitive skin like me.

Skincare first ingredients and broad spectrum UV filters

The most important factor of the K-SECRET Seoul 1988 Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide is that it boasts a high sun protection of SPF50. Combined with four ‘stable’ chemical UV filters and I can step outside in this weather knowing that I am shielded against the harsh rays of the sun.

What sets it apart is its ingredients, with the Korean brand claiming they are “skincare first”. Its main ingredient is pine bud extract to help “soothe” stressed skin and keep it looking healthy. As the name suggests, there are also ceramides to help “enhance” skin radiance and boost hydration.

Rounding out the cocktail of hero ingredients is niacinamide that works to balance skin tone, making it look more even. This has helped when my skin has gotten “rough” during the warmer season. There’s also a blend of eight peptides to improve skin elasticity, essentially helping it to look younger and firmer.

Lightweight with no white cast

When I first used the K-Secret Seoul SPF, I initially thought it looked quite heavy. While that’s not a problem for most, I do struggle with denser formulas, particularly with sunscreen as it clogs my pores and always sweats off during the day.

Fortunately this cream was actually quite lightweight and melted into my skin quite easily. It felt hydrating and left zero residue, which is an absolute win. I have experienced none of the dreaded ‘pilling’ when layered as the last step of my skincare routine, meaning it works well with other products.

That also means that it doesn’t leave any white cast, something I know fellow beauty fans will be concerned about. Instead it looks virtually clear on the skin, giving it a bit of a ‘smoothing’ effect that made my complexion look more uniform.

Like most SPF’s, if you’re out and about for long periods of time, you do need to reapply. That being said, on incredibly warm days, even when I have been out running, I have noticed it doesn’t ‘slide off’ or leave a greasy residue.

Overall verdict

It’s hydrating, lightweight, easy to absorb and layers well with other products, so what’s not to love about K-Secret Seoul 1988’s Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide?

I’ve been using this daily for a while so I can attest that it leaves my skin with a slight radiant finish and never causes my redness to flare up. Instead, its innovative ingredients have helped to my skin to look less inflamed and angry, which helps in the confidence boosting department.

Formula aside I have to admit that I simply adore the packaging. It’s clean and minimalist, representing the brand’s aesthetic of being all about skincare first and not just looks, which usually is a good indicator of brand quality.

So, while the SPF is suitable for all skin types, for those like me who have struggled to find one that doesn’t cause any issues with sensitive types, my advice would be to try out the K-SECRET Seoul 1988 Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide.

Of course, there are a few K-beauty alternatives that often tend to be raved about. One viral option is the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+, a lightweight take on the brand’s beloved rice-based SPF. While I haven’t tried it myself, it has earned something of a cult-like status.