How to check a Korean sunscreen is genuine

Every sunscreen sold in South Korea must be registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as a functional cosmetic, with its SPF and PA rating. That registry is public — so you can compare your box with the official record.

Step by step

Find the Korean product name on the box. It is usually printed in Korean near the ingredient list, often with the brand name joined to it (for example 조선미녀 맑은쌀 선크림).
Search it in the registry. Use Check a product — type the brand in English or Korean.
Compare SPF and PA. The SPF/PA on the box should match the registered values (for example SPF50+ PA++++).
Look for the functional-cosmetic wording. Korean sunscreens state that they are a functional cosmetic (기능성화장품) for UV protection.
Check the responsible company. The Korean company on the box should match the company in the registry entry.

Red flags

No Korean text at all on a product sold as "Korean version".
SPF/PA on the box that doesn't match any registered version of that product.
A product name that doesn't appear in the registry under that brand.

What the registry can't tell you

The MFDS registry does not publish full ingredient lists, and it can't prove an individual tube wasn't tampered with. Buy from the brand's official store or authorised retailers when you can.

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