I Tried Every Popular Chemical/Physical/Hybrid Sunscreen from Olive Young

Source: Women's Generation (Wahana Hapa)
I decided to find the perfect sunscreen for my skin on my own,
so since last year, I've bought and tried 8 different Olive Young sunscreens to study the three types: hybrid, chemical, and physical.
I felt it would be a waste to keep this knowledge to myself, so I've organized it here (basically, so you don't waste your money like I did lol).
But first!
It's completely useless if you don't use a sunscreen that matches your skin type!!
- Hybrid Sunscreens (Mixed)
A middle ground between physical and chemical. The application is close to chemical sunscreens, but it's much less irritating than physical ones, making it a great fit for oily-dehydrated skin. Most Olive Young sunscreens these days seem to be this hybrid type.
- Chemical Sunscreens (Organic)
These use chemical ingredients to absorb and break down UV rays. The advantage is that there's no white cast and they apply smoothly like a lotion. However, those with oily or oily-dehydrated skin often experience oiliness in the afternoon, and people with sensitive eyes may experience stinging.
- Physical Sunscreens (Inorganic)
Mineral ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide physically bounce UV rays off the skin. The advantages are a matte finish and low skin irritation, but the application can feel stiff, and many people experience inner-skin dryness over time.
So, to summarize in one line:
Hybrid is for oily-dehydrated skin.
Chemical is for dry skin.
Physical is for oily skin.
Hybrid (Oily-Dehydrated Pick)
Cell FusionC Laser Sunscreen
This is one of the sunscreens a dermatologist recommended I use after getting laser treatments.
It adheres perfectly to the skin without sitting on top and isn't greasy, so it works great under makeup; I used it all summer. Because the adhesion is so good, it doesn't break down as much even when sweating, and it doesn't clump when reapplied, which I was really satisfied with.
However, after using it for a while, I started feeling some inner-skin dryness. Since the formula focuses on controlling grease, the moisturizing aspect is a bit lacking. It's fine in the morning, but by the afternoon, my skin feels tight. If you have severe inner-skin dryness, layering a moisturizing cream beforehand is a must. If you want to control surface oil but still care about inner dryness, you need to put more effort into your base skincare.
Eclado Oil-Free Sunscreen
I asked an Olive Young employee for a sunscreen for oily-dehydrated skin to use in summer, got sold on it, and bought it.
They said it's a hybrid containing both chemical and physical filters, but with the oil removed.
To be honest, I didn't think much of the ingredient explanation at first, but once I used it, the difference was huge—the midday grease definitely decreased. It feels like the skin is matte inside but not greasy on the surface.
Usually, summer sunscreens are either easy to apply but greasy, or grease-controlling but stiff, and you always have to find a compromise somewhere in between.
This one hits a pretty decent compromise.
Rather than "matte," it's more accurate to say it's "not greasy," and now I just use it as my go-to everyday item.
Goodal Houttuynia Cordata Calming Moisture Sun Cream
I used this a lot last year when my skin was breaking out.
In my experience, it actually worked for calming acne-prone and sensitive skin. It was great for soothing skin that had turned red after heavy sun exposure, and I think the cost-performance is decent for a generic daily sunscreen.
This is top-tier for acne-prone skin. However, those with general oily-dehydrated skin might find the texture a bit heavy in the summer. Therefore, highly recommended for acne-prone skin / might be a bit heavy for general oily-dehydrated skin in summer.
Chemical (Dry Skin Pick)
Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
The application is truly the best. No white cast, it glides on naturally like an essence, and it's rich in moisture.
If you have dry skin or severe inner-skin dryness, you'll understand why this is #1 the moment you apply it.
But for someone like me with oily-dehydrated skin, my T-zone started getting greasy by the afternoon;;
It's so moisturizing that it feels more like skincare than a sunscreen, which is a bit of a downside.
A total god-tier item for dry skin/inner dryness / Oily and oily-dehydrated skin will see grease coming through by the afternoon.
Etude SoonJung Director's Moisture Sunscreen
While studying sunscreens, this one kept popping up as having great ingredients, so I bought it.
The Azulene calming ingredients, the moisture, and the bright finish were indeed real.
The cost-performance is decent, and the application is quite natural.
But in the end, it couldn't control the T-zone oil in the afternoon.
I didn't feel much longevity after going outside; it's definitely moisturizing and brightening, but...
For oily and oily-dehydrated skin, it's the same problem as the Round Lab one.
d'Alba Waterfull Essence Sunscreen
The application is natural and the ingredient composition is solid. It's vegan, reef-safe certified, and has a subtle, pleasant scent, so you can actually feel that it's an expensive product. I totally understood the price point.
However, I was a bit bothered by the lack of perceived longevity. When a sunscreen costs over 20,000 won, you tend to use it sparingly, but you have to apply enough for the SPF number to actually mean something. Using this reminded me that if you skimp on the amount, it's no different from just applying lotion. The application and ingredients are okay, but the volume and longevity are disappointing.
Physical (Oily Skin Pick)
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
This was my first attempt at a physical sunscreen because I wondered if chemical ones didn't suit my skin.
First of all, my eyes didn't sting at all, and I didn't get breakouts even on days when my skin was sensitive. Using this made me realize that it wasn't that chemical filters didn't suit me, but rather just a characteristic of my oily-dehydrated skin.
But I couldn't stand the heavy, suffocating application typical of physical sunscreens when it's hot.
It feels like my skin is "blocked" after applying it.
A god-tier item for sensitive/acne-prone skin all year round / Application limits for oily-dehydrated skin in summer.
Aestura DermaUV365 Barrier Moisture Sunscreen
This is also a physical sunscreen, but I tried it for the purpose of being a barrier-care sunscreen that isn't drying.
The application was decent for a physical sunscreen and less stiff than Dr.G, so it was a bit more usable in summer. I found out it contains strong skin barrier care ingredients.
However, there is a slight white cast, and in my case, I felt inner-skin dryness over time.
It's great if you have sensitive skin and are looking for care, but the finish is a bit disappointing for use as a daily beauty base.
Final PICK by Skin Type
Want great adhesion for makeup → Cell FusionC Laser
Oily-dehydrated skin looking for oil-free → Eclado Oil-Free
Moisturizing and brightening → Etude SoonJung Director, d'Alba Essence
Dry skin & inner dryness → Round Lab Birch Juice
Sensitive skin & post-laser treatment → Dr.G Green Mild
Sensitive but want good application → Aestura DermaUV365
Trouble & acne-prone skin → Goodal Houttuynia Cordata
++ Lastly,
You must adjust the amount you apply according to the SPF value.
They say the amount people actually apply is only about 1/4 of the recommended amount.
The standard for measuring SPF is 2mg/cm², which converts to about 0.8~1g for the face.
But in reality, almost no one applies that much;
So if you skimp on an SPF 50 product, the actual protection time drops from 12 hours 30 minutes
to about 3 hours, which is 1/4 of that. In the end, applying just a little because you trust the SPF number is meaningless.
You need a generous amount of sunscreen to be able to apply it evenly and properly.
That's it 🫡
Source: https://cafe.daum.net/subdued20club/LxCT/337624