Hi Picky!

Just wanted to share this as I thought some of you might be interested!

These are the current top ranking SPFs on the Korean beauty app called Hwahae (화해) and I have searched the internet for their testing results.

Head over to my Instagram if you want to see the proof and receipts for yourself ☺️

1. ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturising Sun Cream
🇰🇷 라운드랩 자작나무 수분 선크림 [SPF50+/PA++++]
✅ Renewed & Verified SPF 55.0 / PA 19.80

2. BEPLAIN Clean Ocean Moisture Sunscreen
🇰🇷 비플레인 클린 오션 모이스처 선스크린 [SPF50+/PA++++]
✅ Renewed & Verified SPF 50.0 / PA 17.28

3. Dr.Orga Premium Sun Protection Cream
🇰🇷 닥터올가 프리미엄 썬 프로텍션 크림 [SPF50+/PA+++]
✅ Verified SPF 58.7 / PA 12.31

4. Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
🇰🇷 닥터지 그린 마일드 업 선 플러스 [SPF50+/PA++++]
✅ Renewed & Verified SPF 50.5 / PA 16.00

5. HYGGEE Relief Sun Moisturiser
🇰🇷 휘게 릴리프 선 모이스처라이저 [SPF50+/PA++++]
❌ Discontinued, replaced with HYGGEE Real Sun Cream and Vegan Sun Cream which are both verified SPF50+/PA++++

6. ROUND LAB 365 Derma Relief Sun Cream
🇰🇷 라운드랩 365 안심 선크림 [SPF50+/PA++++]
✅ Renewed & Verified SPF 60.0 / PA 18.48

7. Cell Fusion C Laser Sunscreen 100
🇰🇷 셀퓨전씨 레이저 썬스크린 100 [SPF50+/PA+++]
✅ Verified SPF 59.6 / PA 11.3

8. DEWYTREE Urban Shade Anti-Pollution Sun
🇰🇷 듀이트리 어반쉐이드 안티폴루션 선 [SPF50+/PA++++]
✅ Renewed & Verified SPF 67.9 / PA 20.43

9. MEDIHEAL N.M.F Water Drop Daily Sun Serum
🇰🇷 메디힐 N.M.F 워터 드롭 데일리 선 세럼 [SPF50+/PA++++]
✅ Renewed & Verified SPF 63.3 / PA 35.16

10. Dr.G Brightening Up Sun+
🇰🇷 닥터지 브라이트닝 업 선 플러스 [SPF50+/PA+++]
✅ Verified SPF 61.9 / PA 8.13

Top Verified SPFs in Korea

Noticed this a few hours ago but couldn't find any information. Anyone knows?

Where did @go.picky Instagram go?

📦Packaging
It is a deep red bottle with a gold dropper cap and it’s one of those bottles that holds the dropper straight vertically downwards. (Anyone who knows the benefits of these kind of dropper bottles, please lmk 😂)

I’ve read that The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is not the most cosmetically-elegant, and I think I’ve found an good alternative: the Cos De BAHA AZ Serum, featuring 10% azelaic acid, as well as niacinamide, panthenol and hyaluronic acid.

💦Texture &#47;&#47; 🌿Smell
This is a clear, thick &amp; viscous serum that has a bit of a moisturising oiliness to it. It smells just a teeny tiny floral, and I think anyone would be fine with the smell.

🌊Moisture
Despite the witch hazel extract, it is not drying at all, and is in fact hydrating&#47;moisturising due to the aloe vera extract as the first ingredient. You may feel a slight tingling but it fades really quickly. It leaves a neutral finish that is not tacky after the 30 seconds it takes to absorb.

🌈Effectiveness
I thought this brand was sketchy at first, but I think this was a good supporting player in my tretinoin routine! It helped to lighten my post-acne redness quicker than when I was only on tretinoin, and possibly helped with preventing breakouts as well.

💸Repurchase?
Yes!! Pharmacies in Singapore sell 20% Skinoren cream at S$40 for 30g. This serum cost me S$15 for 30ml. I see a clear winner here 😊

💁🏻‍♂️Recommended for:
- All skin types, especially acne-prone and pigmented skin
- First timers to azelaic acid

🌿Smell
It is fragrance-free, but has a slight floral scent to it (maybe from the water lily extract?). TBH I wanted to vomit the first time I smelled this, but I got used to the smell after a few uses. YMMV though!

💦Texture
It is a white and viscous liquid, somewhat reminiscent of white paint, due to its use of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its sole UV filters. It spreads quite well and takes some time to dry. I usually stand under my ceiling fan and slap my face for about a minute to make it dry faster 😂. It dries to a matte finish with a really minimal whitecast after patting it in (I can see a slight whitecast, but my family and friends say they can’t tell the difference).

🌊Moisture
This is slightly drying on the skin, so I tend to moisturise more when I’m using this. Adjust accordingly for your skin type.

🌈Effectiveness
WOW I can definitely say that this is the most tenacious and waterproof sunscreen that I’ve used so far (not very many haha). It clings to you like your ex that never wanted to let you go 🙅🏻‍♂️. I tested this on my face and body in the pool for an hour, and I could still feel a layer of it on the skin afterwards. This is really good as a body sunscreen since it comes in such a huge 200ml bottle. So far, I’m satisfied with this purchase.

💁🏻‍♂️Recommended for:
- Normal to oily skin
- Sports where you require sweat-resistant sunscreens
- People who don’t mind a really tiny whitecast

Drier skin types may want a thicker moisturiser on top

💦Texture &#47;&#47; 🌿Smell
This is a white gel-cream that is lightweight and looks fluffy and soft. Due to the silicones used, it has a light occlusivity to it and dries to a neutral non-tacky finish. It is fragrance-free too!

🌊Moisture &#47;&#47; 🌈Effectiveness
This is a great one that both hydrates and moisturises the skin. I can use it day and night without feeling too suffocated, and it doesn’t irritate or sting my face. It is soft and smooth while applying, and it feels calming and refreshing.

📦Packaging
This looks so luxurious, with the frosted glass effect that it has! It’s actually made of plastic though, so no worries of dropping it on the floor 😆

💸Repurchase?
Yes, if I don’t have other creams that I want to try. It is on the expensive side for me, but I feel it’s worth the price!

💁🏻‍♂️Recommended for:
- Oily to combi skin types, especially sensitive (fragrance, EO and drying alcohol free!)
- Drier skin types may want a thicker moisturiser on top

Starts out with a very comfortable and neutral finish as if you just used a moisturiser, but with most sunscreens for my oily skin in hot and humid weather, may turn greasy as the day goes on. 🥵

💦Texture &#47;&#47; 🤡Whitecast
An ivory coloured cream that holds its shape when you squeeze it out. Smooth buttery application that is easy to blend with no white cast!

🌿Smell
It smells of apple and rose, and I couldn’t smell the alcohol that’s present inside this sunscreen.

🌊Moisture &#47;&#47; 👀Eye-stinging
This is moisturising enough that I could use just a hydrating toner underneath, although some parts like my lips were slightly dry. This is not waterproof too, and I tend to sweat it off if I’m outdoors. One good thing is that my sensitive eyes were not irritated by this sunscreen!

💁🏻‍♂️Recommendation
Overall, I feel that this is a good everyday sunscreen for all skin types, leaning towards dry. I love that this includes Vit C and E which are good antioxidants that can help with sun protection. The SPF label is confirmed by @tiam_global on Instagram too (check the last pic). However, I need a more hardy and water-resistant sunscreen so I wouldn’t repurchase it myself.

Recommend to:
- People that want a moisturising and comfortable SPF for daily use
- People that do not mind a little bit of drying alcohol and fragrance

📦Packaging
I feel the packaging can be improved though, as it is made from pretty hard plastic. I can only press and deform the bottle by a few millimetres in the middle. This makes it hard to get the product out, especially nearing the end, since you have to shake the bottle to get it close to the top and then squeeze it out. I would very much prefer a squeeze-tube or a pump format instead. [Note: it also comes in a 400ml size which is a pump bottle!]

💸Repurchase?
Maybe, I might come back to this one but I want to try other moisturisers too!

💦Texture &#47;&#47; 🌿Smell
A white fluid that is lightweight and easy to spread. Light scent of macadamia nuts (the third ingredient in the INCI list). The finish is not sticky and is neutral (not dewy or matte) once it has been absorbed into the skin.

🌊Moisture &#47;&#47; 🌈Effectiveness
This has a good water-oil balance that is suitable as the last moisturising step for my oily skin. It is made with gentle ingredients that soothe, hydrate and moisturise the skin, and is just a no-frills good lotion for anyone.

💁🏻‍♂️Recommended for:
- All skin types including sensitive skin
- People looking for a basic no-frills moisturiser

skinzy