A Broadcast Veteran's Best Advice? Wear Your Sunscreen
So here's a beauty tip you probably didn't expect to come from a radio show — but honestly, it's one of the most practical ones out there. Kang Ju-eun, the 55-year-old Canadian-Korean broadcaster and TV personality who has been a familiar face in Korean media for decades, appeared as a guest on SBS Power FM's afternoon show "12 o'clock with Joo Hyun-young" on May 20th. When host Joo Hyun-young asked her to recommend a must-have item right now, Kang didn't hesitate for a second.
"Sunscreen," she said. Simple as that.
What's really interesting is the honesty behind her answer. Kang admitted that she used to be completely careless about sun protection — the kind of person who just didn't think about it. But as she got older and settled more into life in Korea, where skincare culture is genuinely a part of daily life, she found herself getting drawn in too. "The older I got, the more I couldn't ignore my skin," she said. "Living in Korea, where everyone is so focused on skincare, I naturally started paying more attention myself."
It's a relatable story. And given that Korea has one of the most sophisticated skincare cultures in the world, it makes sense that even someone who grew up elsewhere would eventually come around.
Why Sunscreen Actually Matters — The Science Behind the Advice
Now, if you've ever wondered why dermatologists and beauty editors keep hammering on about SPF, here's the quick breakdown. UV radiation comes in three types — UVA, UVB, and UVC — but the ones your skin actually has to deal with every day are UVA and UVB.
UVA is the sneaky one. It makes up the vast majority of UV rays that reach the Earth's surface, and it's powerful enough to pass right through clouds and glass windows. That means it's hitting your skin even on overcast days and even when you're sitting by a window indoors. It penetrates deep into the dermis — the deeper layer of your skin — and is the primary driver of dark spots, freckles, and wrinkles. In short, UVA is responsible for most of what we call "skin aging."
UVB, on the other hand, is largely absorbed by the ozone layer, but a portion still reaches the surface. It works on the outer layer of skin and is what causes sunburn — that redness and stinging sensation after too much time in the sun. Repeated UVB exposure is also linked to an increased risk of skin cancer.
So what should you actually do about it? Dermatologists generally recommend using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, applied about 20 to 30 minutes before you head outside. The recommended amount is roughly the length of one finger segment — spread evenly across the entire face.
You're Probably Not Applying Enough
Here's the part most people don't want to hear: one thin layer is not enough. Sweat, humidity, friction from masks and clothing — all of these break down your sun protection barrier throughout the day. That's why experts recommend applying sunscreen in two layers. The second coat fills in the gaps left by the first, significantly boosting the actual protective effect you get.
A study by a research team at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland, Australia found that most people apply only 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen. The researchers noted that "the average amount applied per skin area was far below what is needed to achieve the SPF level indicated on the label," and concluded that most people are using far less sunscreen than they think they are.
And while you're at it — don't forget the easy-to-miss spots. The jawline, sideburns, ears, and neck are areas people commonly skip. The skin around the eyes and eyelids is particularly thin and vulnerable to UV damage and even skin cancer. If you're wearing short sleeves or sandals, your hands and arms need coverage too.
What K-Beauty Editors Are Stocking Up On This Sale Season
Speaking of skincare routines, there's another side to this story that's very much in the Korean beauty conversation right now — and that's the beloved Olive Young sale season.
For those unfamiliar, Olive Young is essentially Korea's answer to Sephora or Ulta Beauty, but with a heavy focus on Korean skincare and cosmetics brands. It's a retail giant with a massive online presence, and twice a year it holds a major "Big Sale," with monthly membership-focused sale events called "OliveYoung Day" taking place at the end of each month. These sales are a big deal in Korean beauty culture — people genuinely plan their purchases around them, adding items to their carts weeks in advance and waiting for the discount window to open.
The editors at Harper's Bazaar Korea recently shared their personal picks — the items they repurchase every single sale, without fail. Here are a few standouts that caught our attention.
The Eyebrow Mascara That Softens a Strong Look
Beauty editor Lee Seul swears by the Espoir The Brow Color Fixing Cara in shade 03 Cool Gray (priced at around 16,000 KRW). Her reasoning is surprisingly relatable — she has naturally thick, dark eyebrows that can make her look more intense than she'd like. Hair bleaching didn't work for her; it just made her features look washed out. The cool gray brow mascara was her solution. With a fine, dense brush that combs through each brow hair individually, it tones down the darkness without lightening things up too aggressively. The result, she says, is neat brows and a noticeably softer overall impression — and it holds all day.
The Lip Pencil That Fakes Volume
Fashion editor Yoon Hye-yeon has a go-to technique for making thin lips look fuller without heavy makeup: the Vanalco Smudging Lip Pencil in Nude Beige (around 14,000 KRW). She traces just slightly outside her natural lip line, then layers a glossy lip plumper on top. The effect is subtle volume and a fresh, lively look — without the commitment of a full bold lip.
The Body Cream Worth Buying in Bulk
One editor stocks up on Borotalco Velveting Cream (30ml, around 8,000 KRW) in the largest size available — at least three tubes at a time whenever a sale comes around. The appeal? It works year-round for dry skin without feeling heavy or seasonal. The original draw was its soft baby powder scent, and clearly it's delivered enough to keep her coming back.
The Bigger Picture: Korean Skincare Culture in Daily Life
What ties Kang Ju-eun's sunscreen advice and the Bazaar editors' sale picks together is something that anyone who has spent time in Korea quickly notices — skincare here is not an indulgence. It's infrastructure. It's part of the daily routine in the same way brushing your teeth is, and the culture around it is incredibly well-developed, from the products on the shelves to the conversations people have about them on radio shows.
So whether you're picking up a tube of SPF 50 or loading up your Olive Young cart during the next big sale, the message from Korea's beauty world is pretty consistent: take care of your skin consistently, use enough product, and don't skip the boring stuff — because the boring stuff is usually what makes the biggest difference.
This article is based on reports from Naver News, Ibabynews, Harpersbazaar.
