Living in a Southeast Asian country where it’s (mostly) sunny all year round can have its perks. We can go to the beach all the time, we don’t have to buy expensive winter clothing, and, eating Cendol when it’s hot out just hits differently. But it also means that our skin is constantly being exposed to the sun. 

Sun exposure can indeed be helpful in the sense it helps your body to absorb vitamin D, which in turn helps the body absorb calcium and phosphate to strengthen bones, as well as improve your mood. Sunlight can also lower blood pressure, in addition to lowering the risk of metabolic syndrome, as well as helping your body maintain a healthy circadian rhythm, thus improving your sleep.

Dangers of Sun Exposure

However, sunlight in excessive amounts can be harmful to us. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is part of the light spectrum sent down by the sun, through the atmosphere, and onto Earth. It’s invisible to human eyes, but we can feel it. Some insects can see UV rays, though. Although most UV rays get absorbed by the atmosphere, UVA and UVB rays are two kinds of UV radiation that can penetrate the atmosphere, pass through windows, and get absorbed by our bodies. We also know that excessive UVA and UVB rays can do a lot of damage to our skin.

Difference between UVA and UVB rays

But what exactly are UVA and UVB rays, and how does it damage the skin? Well, UVA rays compose 95% of all UV rays that can break through the atmosphere and have the longest wavelength out of all the UV rays. UVA rays can penetrate deep into the skin and damage collagen and elastin. It can cause premature aging, wrinkling, sagging skin, and sun spots. UVA rays are also extremely harmful, by way of partnering with UVB rays to affect DNA, which in turn can cause cancer.

UVB rays, on the other hand, have the shortest wavelength among all UV rays. It doesn’t penetrate as deeply into the skin as UVA rays, but it can cause damage to the surface of the skin. Excess absorption of UVB rays can cause redness, and sunburns, and can even create cataracts in the eyes. UVB rays can damage the skin cells and cause the DNA to mutate, which may lead to melanoma and other skin cancers.

How to Protect Yourself From Sun Exposure

It’s important to protect yourself, even when you’re indoors, as UV rays can still penetrate windows. UV rays can also pierce through clouds, which means that you should still take precautionary measures when it’s cloudy or raining. Here are a few ways to protect yourself from harmful sun rays.

It’s important to protect yourself, even when you’re indoors, as UV rays can still penetrate windows. UV rays can also pierce through clouds, which means that you should still take precautionary measures when it’s cloudy or raining. Here are a few ways to protect yourself from harmful sun rays.

1. Don’t use tanning beds

In a warped society where fairness is equated with beauty, the one good thing that came out of this is that we don’t like to tan ourselves. This means that most of us are already staying out of the sun and definitely out of tan beds, which is a healthy way to prevent skin damage, as tanning beds primarily emit UVA rays.

2. Wear sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses can help with not only preventing sun rays from piercing straight to the eyes, but it can also help with protecting the delicate skin around your eyes. This means that your eyes will be less prone to getting crow’s feet, saggy upper lids, and eye bags!

3. Wear sunscreen

Sunscreen is a huge help in preventing sun rays from penetrating our skin. When used regularly, sunscreen can help to prevent acne, premature aging, and skin cancer. Sunscreen contains specific ingredients that stop UV rays from entering our skin in two ways. Firstly, a sunscreen might contain physical blockers such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which sit on the surface of the skin and reflect the UV rays away from the skin. This is also called physical sunscreen. The other type of sunscreen is called a chemical sunscreen, which contains chemical ingredients to form a thin, protective layer on the skin that absorbs the UV rays.

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of protecting your skin, let’s look at some of the best up-and-coming sunscreens in the K-beauty market for healthy, protected skin.

Rising Korean Sun Care

1. TOCOBO Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

SPF50 and PA++++ will provide maximum protection. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and Vigna Radiata Seed extract, it’s so hydrating that it feels like a moisturizer. The hyaluronic acid helps to retain the moisture in the skin, and the Bio Watery Sun Cream is also infused with beta-glucan to form a moisturizing protective film, without leaving the skin oily or sticky. It’s also formulated with Mung Bean Extract, which is full of minerals and amino acids to soothe and nourish the skin. It has a creamy and watery formula, that’s lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast.

Why we love it:

  • Vegan
  • Reef-safe
  • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin

Price: RM 106.57 (original price: $24)

Where to buy: StyleKorean

2. TOCOBO Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++

For that perfect dewy, glass-skin look, try TOCOBO’s Vita Tone Up Sun Cream with SPF50+ and PA++++. It contains 51% vitamin fruit water, which is derived from a vitamin C-rich tree that can deliver intense hydration and nutrition to the skin. It also contains niacinamide to brighten and even out the skin tone, in addition to vitamin b-12, which soothes blemishes and smoothens the skin’s texture. The Vita Tone Up Sun Cream is also tinted to provide you with an even base, perfect for those days when you don’t feel like putting on foundation. Lightweight and hydrating, it’s a great sunscreen, skincare, and makeup product all in one.

Why we love it:

  • Vegan and reef-safe
  • Tinted
  • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin

Price: RM 97.69 (original price: $22)

Where to buy: StyleKorean

3. TOCOBO Vita Tone Up Sun Cream SPF50+PA++++

For that perfect dewy, glass skin look, try TOCOBO’s Vita Tone Up Sun Cream with SPF50+ and PA++++. It contains 51% vitamin fruit water, which is derived from a vitamin c-rich tree that can deliver intense hydration and nutrition into the skin. It also contains niacinamide to brighten and even out the skin tone, in addition to vitamin b-12, which soothes blemishes and smoothen the skin’s texture. The Vita Tone Up Sun Cream is also tinted to provide you with an even base, perfect for those days when you don’t feel like putting on foundation. Lightweight and hydrating, it’s a great sunscreen, skincare, and makeup product all in one.

Why we love it:

  • Vegan and reef-safe
  • Tinted
  • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin

Price: RM111.01 (original price: $25)

Where to buy: StyleKorean

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