Japanese and Korean sunscreens are trendy – but do they work under NZ’s sun?

Once niche imports, Japanese and Korean sunscreens are now lining shelves at retailers, including major places like Farmers, and slipping into the routines of New Zealanders tired of the heavy, chalky formulas they grew up with.

Auckland hairstylist and makeup artist Naeema Bhikoo has watched the shift firsthand. After years of putting up with “sticky and heavy” Western sunscreens that left a white cast, she says she began exploring Asian formulas during trips to Japan and South Korea.

“I used to hate wearing sunscreens. The only time I’d wear a sunscreen would be if I knew I was going to the beach,” she says. “Asian sunscreens in general, they’re very lightweight, just feel like a regular moisturiser, some of them have gel textures … it just feels like it soaks right in, no white cast.”