It's common to think that, when the summer sunshine mellows out in autumn, UV rays also become less of a risk for our skin. This is when we might start slacking off on using sunscreen – but this is a misconception.
As the summer humidity dries up and the clouds grow thinner in autumn, UV rays in fact become more invasive and can penetrate layers of air and glass to glare straight at our skin. Without proper sun protection, not only do we risk getting an unwanted tan, but also blemishes, spots, and even signs of aging potentially; this may be worsened by our skin's tendency to grow easily compromised and sensitive during seasonal changes.
Given our skin's lowered defences against UV damage, tanning, hyperpigmentation, and accelerated skin aging are threats that loom just as tall in autumn as in summer.
Why am I Getting Tanned in Autumn?
It might be tempting to go easy on your sunscreen and save yourself some time getting ready on autumn mornings – but exposure to UVA rays for long periods of time can in fact stimulate melanocyte activity and increase melanin production.
The skin has a metabolic cycle of about 28 days, meaning 28 days is the duration required between melanin synthesis and its journey to the skin surface. This is why sun exposure during summer, coupled with newly produced melanin in autumn, can result in a tan, or other kinds of UV-induced pigmentation, in autumn.
So sun care in autumn is just as essential as in summer, especially if you want to keep the fruit of your skin brightening efforts in summer!
How to Choose the Best Sunscreen for Autumn?
In the summer, we might look for sunscreens with a light, airy consistency, waterproof and sweat-resistant formulas, and which offer a nice cooling sensation.
When summer cools into autumn, however, and puts our skin at risk of sensitivity and instability, we should turn to sunscreens that help combat dehydration and skin irritation.
Try to stick with formulas that are gentle and hypoallergenic, and which feature a moisturising texture as well as skin soothing benefits, as sunscreens that are mild yet lightly hydrating can protect our skin without clogging pores and leading to acne and closed comedones.
Tips for Choosing an Autumn Sunscreen:
1. Mild: Avoid products that contain potentially irritating ingredients to stabilise sensitive skin and keep it comfortable.
2. Moisturising: Choose a moisturising sunscreen to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day during the dry seasons.
3. Minimalist: Choose products with lightweight, refreshing formulas and non-comedogenic ingredients to keep breakouts at bay.
4. Mitigating: Sunscreens rich in soothing ingredients help reduce skin irritation or discomfort caused by UV rays.
Lightly Hydrating Sunscreen Recommendations for Autumn
Enjoy deep nourishment and lasting moisture-locking effects with this hyaluronic acid and humectant-rich formula! Its light, watery texture moisturises and wards off dryness with an airy, barely-there feel. Leaving no white cast or grease, the reef friendly formula is perfect for both everyday use and days out at the beach. If you could only use one sunscreen this autumn, this would be the one.
Meet the sunscreen voted on Korean beauty websites as the 'smoothest, best-fitting sunscreen'! In addition to excellent SPF50+ UV protection, this powerful formula is also infused with collagen and antioxidants to support skin repair, preventing and mitigating skin aging caused by UV rays. With elasticity-boosting benefits, this sunscreen is a whole UV shield for mature skin.
A purely physical sunscreen made from 100% zinc oxide. Hypoallergenic and with skin irritation tests completed, this tube provides for sensitive skin gentle, non-irritating, yet highly effective UV protection. The slightly tinted formula naturally brightens your complexion and adds a subtle hydrated glow with hyaluronic acid, leaving your skin tone radiant and healthy even with no makeup on.
Enriched with soothing Heartleaf (Houttuynia Cordata) extract from Jeju Island, South Korea, this K-beauty favourite shields against UVA and UVB damage while relieving redness and irritation, ideal for both sun care and post-sun care. The airy, lotion-like texture sinks into skin lightly with intense hydrating power and no white cast. If you have sensitive skin and are looking for a good solid daily sunscreen that doesn't irritate, reach for the green Goodal tube.
This natural formula of Cica (Centella Asiatica) and a blend of botanical extracts and antioxidants protects your skin from UV damage and deeply nourishes, evoking a natural, healthy glow. The alcohol-free, fragrance-free minimalist formula works with Cica, a well known skin calming agent, to soothe and repair, promising protection so mild it's safe even for skin that has just undergone medical aesthetics treatments.
Introducing the lightweight version of Beauty of Joseon's viral Relief Sun sunscreen. The sheer, combination-skin-friendly texture wraps around skin like a thin hydrating veil equipped with UV defence, keeping skin protected under the sun all day. Rice seed water improves the skin's anti-oxidising abilities and restores its natural radiance, leaving your complexion clear and vibrant. With a watery, spreadable consistency that's quick to absorb with no white cast, this sunscreen is recommended for combination and oily skin.

Beauty of Joseon may be known for its Relief Sun line, but that's not the only sunscreen the brand has to offer. This mild, plant-based formula, safe even for pregnant women, fully shields skin from risks of tanning, redness, photo-aging and even sunburn. Supporting your skin with a concoction of saponin-rich ginseng extract, it hydrates, moisturises, and keeps your water-oil levels balanced to strengthen your skin's natural defences, leaving skin healthier and stronger.
Rich in amino acids, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins, nutrient-rich birch sap boasts anti-inflammatory and purifying benefits. This all-in-one physical sunscreen nourishes, soothes, and prevents sun-induced TEWL with lasting UV protection and an airy, easily removable formula, making it a good choice for busy bees.
A chemical formula engineered with advanced sunscreen filters to absorb and convert UV rays into harmless heat while forming a thin, hydrating, protective film on the skin surface as UVA and UVB protection. Korean Jindo black rice, Haruharu Wonder's signature ingredient, imbues the tube with not just sun protection but moisturising, anti-wrinkle and other skincare merits, all while the airy texture clings comfortably like a second skin.

La Roche Posay's Anthelios sunscreen is the perfect combination between advanced broad-spectrum UV protection and hypoallergenic care. Manufactured using patented UV protection technology, it protects against UVA rays while being highly resistant to water, sweat and sand, making it the perfect outdoor companion. Glycerin and La Roche-Posay thermal spring water provide moisturising care in a light, grease-free texture that sits comfortably on skin. The fragrance-free, non-irritating and hypoallergenic formula, suitable for all skin types, is a versatile combination of expert sun protection and sensitive skin care.

Looking for a tone-up sunscreen two-in-one? Then Avene's B-Protect is for you. With high SPF and a naturally tinted tone-up effect, this tinted sunscreen blurs pores and brightens your skin tone with a soft, comfortable touch, ideal for those looking to lightly polish your complexion with sunscreen. Also works great as a pre-makeup primer! It's also infused with the brand's exclusive UVB-UVA filters to combat UV rays as well as environmental stressors like free radicals, improving your skin's overall defences.

This Jurlique sunscreen is packed with antioxidant-rich botanical extracts to protect while nourishing. The addition of antioxidant vitamin E helps shield the skin from pollution and other external environmental damage and prevent photo aging, in a light oil-free formula suitable for daily use all year round and perfect for those who dislike the greasy and sticky feel often accompanying sunscreens. Use on its own or as a primer to smooth your makeup, control oil, and lightly brighten for a fast yet flawless finish.
Featuring a sweat- and water-resistant 3D UV film that absorbs into skin instantly, this Japanese sunscreen promises effective and comprehensive UV care all year long. Despite the reliably waterproof formula, it's easily removable with soap to dispel concerns of clogged pores. Its variety of hydrating factors and natural extracts protect and hydrate skin at the same time to fully prevent spots, freckles and sunburn.
Gear up against the autumn sun with BIORE's pioneering Micro UV-Cut Capsule technology! Fully covering your skin down to micro-level gaps, this sunscreen is all you need to thwart your worries of tanning and uneven skin tone. Hydrating with hyaluronic acid and a mix of other humectants, it instills lasting moisture and radiance to prevent dryness and flaky makeup with a watery, weightless consistency that is all breathable comfort and no stickiness.