Why this site exists, and what you can trust from it.

Why I started this site

Korean sunscreens solved the problem Western brands have been working around for 25 years: how to get SPF50+ protection that doesn't leave your face chalky white. When I first figured that out, I spent eight months trying to find an honest English-language ranking of the ones worth buying — and every article I read was either an affiliate regurgitation of the same 5 products, or paid-brand-list theatre.

This site is the guide I wish existed when I started. Ranked by usefulness to someone buying their first Korean SPF, not ranked by which brand paid the most for placement.

How I research products

I'm building this site in 2026 and I'm honest about where my information comes from. Every product review falls into one of three categories:

• Tested by me personally — clearly marked on the review. I've used the product for at least two weeks and have my own photos and observations.
• Synthesized from verified community research — reviews compiled from multiple independent sources: dermatologist write-ups, Reddit consensus in r/AsianBeauty and r/SkincareAddiction, Korean beauty publications, Incidecoder ingredient breakdowns, and Sephora verified-purchase reviews.
• Based on ingredient analysis — new releases where hands-on reviews don't exist yet, but the formula (filters, concentrations, vehicle) tells you most of what you need to know.

If a review is in category 2 or 3, it says so. No category-1 claims unless I've actually used the product. This is the rule.

How I choose which products to feature

I track weekly search-interest data from Google Trends, TikTok Creative Center, and Reddit for 1,300+ beauty keywords. Products that break out in my own data and then survive a quality check (real filters, real reviews, not just TikTok hype) get written up.

I don't accept free product samples from brands in exchange for coverage. I don't run sponsored posts. Nothing you read here was paid for by the company being reviewed.

How I make money

This site is funded entirely by affiliate commissions. When you click an "Amazon" or "StyleKorean" button and buy something, I earn a small commission (usually 1–10% of the sale) at no extra cost to you.

Crucially:

• The rankings are based on quality, not commission rate. Several products on this list pay me nothing (I link them anyway).
• Products I don't recommend don't get affiliate links — because someone else linking them would mean I'm pushing something I don't stand behind.
• I disclose affiliate relationships on every page they appear (including in the footer). This is FTC-required in the US, and it's also just the right thing to do.

What I'm still learning

Being transparent: I'm not a dermatologist, I'm not a cosmetic chemist, and I haven't tested every product I write about.

What I am is someone who's spent enough time reading UV-filter research, comparing INCI lists, and sorting through K-beauty marketing to tell the difference between a genuinely good product and a well-marketed one. I'll always tell you which category I'm writing from.

If I ever get something wrong, tell me and I'll fix it. Accuracy matters more to me than looking right.

How to get in touch

The fastest way to reach me is by email at hello@lekker.design. I read every message, though I can't promise a fast reply.

Good reasons to email:

• You caught a factual error and want it fixed
• You want me to review a product you love
• You want to recommend a Korean brand I haven't covered yet
• You're a brand that wants to send a PR sample (I'll disclose it)

Bad reasons to email:

• You want to buy a link in an article (I don't sell them)
• You want to pay for a positive review (I don't sell those either)
• Sponsored-post pitches (all posts are editorial)