Transcription
These are the criteria we use to select recommended products on the Director Pi channel.
Hello, this is Director Pi. Today, we're diving into the top-of-the-top sunsticks and sun cushions. So, what's the difference between a sunstick and regular sunscreen? Why do we have to use a sunstick? Most people think of convenience, and yes, that's one reason, but there's a second, more important reason. It’s about the formulation. Compared to sunscreen, sunsticks contain less water, meaning the product adheres better to the skin and lasts longer, potentially increasing UV protection effectiveness.
This year, sunsticks have undergone major changes. Most now feature high-powder formulas, offering a blurring effect and longer wear time. The newer sunsticks feel airy, almost like you’re wearing nothing, which addresses the usual complaints of feeling heavy or greasy. Those issues are now mostly gone. Along with the anhydrous (water-free), high-powder formulations, the whitening and wrinkle-improving functions have also been upgraded, now using ingredients like Alpha-bisabolol and Tocopheryl Acetate.
When reviewing sunblock products, we usually verify their SPF and PA ratings through official clinical results. However, many sunsticks and sun cushions haven’t gone through formal clinical testing, unlike sunscreens. Still, we won't exclude them; instead, we’ll indicate whether they’ve been tested or not. Let’s start the review.
2025 Organic UV Filter Sunsticks (Matte)
Grade B, Grade A dinsee Premium Vegan 3-in-1 Sunstick Powder No.1. It contains powder, wax, and oil, uses chemical UV filters, and includes whitening and wrinkle-care features. There are four main UV-blocking agents commonly used in sunsticks: Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate blocks UVA, Ethylhexyl triazone blocks UVB, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine offers broad-spectrum coverage and longer durability. The green color comes from a pigment called chromium oxide green, which is stable and skin-friendly. It feels light and goes on easily, but the amount is quite small. It’s 1/2 of other brands. It doesn’t leave any tone or white cast, and even after time passes, no oiliness appears. It resists water and friction well. Cleansing foam alone doesn’t remove it easily; you’ll need to wash longer or use an oil cleanser. It’s a water-free, high-powder, matte chemical sunstick. It leaves your skin soft and dry, as if you applied nothing.
KAHI Airy Fit Sunstick. It had a similar feel and application. No eye irritation and no oiliness appeared later on. Compared to dinsee, it washed off a bit easier with cleansing foam. It’s also a water-free, high-powder, matte sunstick. Easy to carry around, but it’s a bit weak against friction, so reapply every 4 hours.
Forest Multi Defense Sunstick. It is a powder-based formula with oil and organic UV filters, plus whitening and wrinkle-improving functions. It has a similar ingredient base to KAHI and is manufactured by Kolmar Korea. It uses a fragrance that gives off a strong forest vibe; it feels like you’re walking through cypress woods. It has pretty good staying power, but when exposed to both water and friction, the layer becomes a bit thinner. Waterproof performance is moderate, and cleansing is slightly above average. It’s a matte sunstick with a high amount of powder in a water-free, organic UV filter base. It gives a soft, powdery finish but is less drying than others, making it easier to reapply over makeup.
The Manyo Factory Hyaluron Hydrating Sunstick. It also uses Powder No.1 and oil with organic UV filters and includes hydrating and soothing benefits. When applying it, it feels like you’ve barely put anything on. You have to press and swipe two or three times before you feel like it’s really applied. Over time, it can feel drying, so those with dry or dry-combination skin should make sure to prep with a solid skincare base. Though the formula does thin a bit with water and friction, the performance isn’t bad, so I gave it a mid-to-high waterproof rating. It also has a water-free, high-powder matte organic UV filter base. It’s easy to use on both the face and body, though the application could be smoother.
The Bushman Waterproof Surfing Sunstick. It is formulated with Powder No.1 and five chemical UV filters, but it doesn’t offer any whitening or wrinkle-improving benefits. The basic structure as a sunstick is the same as the others reviewed earlier. It’s quite firm and solid, so I found it more suitable for use on the body rather than the face. After some time, I did feel a bit of dryness, but it didn’t leave any stickiness and finished with a nice matte feel. I tried removing it with a cleansing foam, but there was still some residue left. With its water-free, powder-rich, matte texture and firm consistency, it was very convenient to apply to the body. A thorough cleansing is necessary.
SKIN 1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Silky Fit Sunstick. It uses the same powder, oil, wax, and organic UV filter combo as other sticks. It also includes skin-soothing, whitening, and wrinkle-care ingredients like alpha-bisabolol and tocopheryl acetate. Even with a light touch, it spreads smoothly and evenly. Even after some time, it doesn’t get oily or greasy; it stays matte and fresh like when you first applied it. The staying power is good. Cleansing performance is slightly above average. The application feels good, and the soft matte finish makes it easy to wear under makeup. I recommend it for oily skin.
TONEfitSUN Sun Vegan No-Sebum Sunstick. It uses Powder No.1 and methyl methacrylate crosspolymer. The transparent cap gives it a bit of a cute look. It applies smoothly, even in tricky areas, and has a strong artificial fragrance, very sweet and quite strong. After spraying water and rubbing, it came off slightly, but I’d still say it has pretty good staying power. It leaves some residue, so I recommend cleansing for about two minutes. It’s a matte organic sunstick with a high powder content. It sticks well and gives a dry-touch finish, even more matte than other products.
The Beauty of Joseon Artemisia Sunstick. It contains high levels of powder, oil, and wax with organic UV filters. It also includes moisturizing and calming ingredients. Its UV filter content is 12.5%. Compared to sunscreen, sunsticks generally have lower UV filter concentrations. However, thanks to the high content of wax and powder, the sunscreen ingredients remain longer on the skin, leading to reliable SPF and PA results in clinical tests. The artemisia extract gives it a light natural tint. It’s firm and matte, so better suited for body application. When first applied, the formula may clump or roll off like dead skin, but once you rub it in and round out the surface, it glides on smoothly. There’s some initial oiliness, but it disappears with time. When sprayed and rubbed with water, it lasted longer than most others; great staying power. I rated it as high in waterproof performance and recommend it for workouts, water activities, or long outdoor exposure. Also great for oily skin during summer.
The 4B Face Airy No-Sebum Sunstick. It has more oil and wax than previous matte products, so I placed it under semi-matte. Aside from that, it still has organic UV filters, whitening, and wrinkle-care benefits. The packaging is basic and familiar, and the formula as well. The scent reminds me of mosquito repellent, quite strong. After spraying water and rubbing, it came off a little. It’s a semi-matte organic sunstick with low shine, smooth spreadability, and good compatibility with makeup.
shingmulnara Jeju Aloe Cooling Sunstick features high levels of wax, oil, powder, and organic UV filters. It uses menthol for the cooling effect. It claims whitening and wrinkle improvement but hasn’t undergone official clinical testing, so we can’t verify its SPF and PA ratings. At first, the outer edges may flake off like residue, but if you rub and round it out, it applies smoothly. The temporary cooling makes it a good choice for summer. It stayed on quite well over time, and even with water and rubbing, only thinned slightly. This is a moisturizing sunstick with high levels of oil, wax, and water content. A very strong cooling effect.
La Rosee Clean Sunstick. It is very rich in oil and wax, with very little powder, making it extremely moisturizing. Its double-layered cap protects the product well. It melts into the skin upon contact and applies easily, though areas like around the nose require a more precise hand. Its staying power wasn’t that strong. It thinned out quite a bit when sprayed with water and rubbed. Cleansing performance was medium to slightly above average. This is a moisturizing sunstick with a high content of water-free oil and wax. It’s not super resistant to friction, so reapply often. It’s recommended for dry and dry-combination skin when going out.
Hyggee Clean Vegan Sunstick. It is a high-oil, high-wax, powder-based organic sunstick. It includes functional ingredients like alpha-bisabolol and adenosine for whitening and anti-wrinkle benefits. Its UV filter content is 12.5%. It has an inner cap, which is nice. The curved shape helps it fit along facial contours, and the texture is incredibly soft. Personally, I didn’t experience any eye irritation, but one of our testers did report mild stinging. For dry skin, it may feel drying over time due to the oil-water balance. It held up well when sprayed and rubbed with water. It didn’t wash off easily with just cleansing foam. It’s a semi-matte organic sunstick that may clump slightly, but if you apply with a light hand, it spreads evenly. Recommended for combination and dry skin.
BLIV:U Collagen Bouncing Sunstick. It has high levels of water, oil, and wax. What sets it apart is its focus on elasticity; it includes collagen, probiotics, amino acids, and peptides. It uses the same type of organic UV filters as the previously reviewed sunsticks. Since it’s based on both water and oil and contains a lot of nourishing and moisturizing ingredients, the texture is soft and hydrating. When I applied it to my face, there was a bit of glow; it might feel heavy for oily skin types. It gives a dewy, slightly pearlescent finish. When sprayed and rubbed with water, some product remained, showing decent durability. Cleansing performance was medium to slightly above average. It’s a soft, moisturizing organic sunscreen. It’s not very resistant to friction, so you’ll need to reapply more often. It paired well with makeup on dry skin, and I’d recommend it for dry skin all year round.
athe Vegan Lighting Tone-Up Cushion. It uses homosalate, an organic UV filter that blocks UVB, and uses a high content of it, so it’s considered a hybrid sunscreen. It has a violet tint from ingredients like red and black ultramarines and azulene. When applied, it gives a natural tone-up effect without looking too pale. It neutralizes yellow tones, blotchiness, and redness well. After absorption, it dries down to a semi-matte soft finish with a balanced oil-water texture. As long as there’s no rubbing, the lasting power is quite good. Cleansing was about medium-high. It didn’t leave any toner-like residue, so it worked well with foundation or cushion makeup. It’s a semi-matte hybrid sunscreen. It’s a natural, bright violet tone-up product, but on the dry side, so better for normal to oily skin.
shingmulnara Rice Brightening Tone-Up Sun Cushion. It hasn’t gone through official clinical trials, so we can’t confirm its SPF or PA values. However, based on its listed mineral UV filter content, it likely offers strong protection. It has a creamy texture. Because the particles aren’t ultra-fine, it can clump or apply patchily, especially around the nose. The finish is a pretty peach tone, which I was very satisfied with. Shades 19 and 22 might be slightly dark for fair skin. It had good coverage for pores and blemishes. After 3 hours, the staying power was solid. It didn’t wash off with regular cleansing foam; you’ll need an oil cleanser. It didn’t pair well with additional base makeup like foundation or cushion; it felt a bit heavy or cakey. Best used on its own. It’s a semi-matte mineral tone-up sunscreen with a peach tint. Tap it evenly for a clump-free finish. It has great staying power and is highly waterproof, so you’ll need a thorough cleanse.
The Marshique Serum Glow Tone-Up Sun Cushion. It also hasn’t gone through clinical testing, but it contains nearly 20% titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. So it likely performs as labeled. It has an ultra-thin consistency that glides on smoothly, even when swiped lightly. One reviewer with dry skin said it offered great coverage and a good moisture balance. When sprayed and rubbed with water, only a little was removed. It didn’t come off easily with cleansing foam; use an oil cleanser. It’s a semi-glow finish mineral sunscreen with a sheer base. Very thin texture is the key feature. It is a cushion that gives mild coverage.
d’Alba Waterful Tone-Up Sun Cushion. It is a hybrid sunscreen using high levels of titanium dioxide. It contains oil, ethanol, and ingredients for whitening and wrinkle care. Due to the ethanol, dry skin types may experience some tightness over time. It applied evenly without clumping or flaking, but one reviewer with dry skin noted some tightness around the cheeks after a while. It maintains good adhesion but lacks hydration, so some inner dryness can occur. When sprayed and rubbed with water, it held up quite well. Because the particles are so fine, they can settle into the skin’s texture, so you’ll need an oil cleanser to fully remove it. It’s a matte beige tone-up hybrid sunscreen with sheer coverage and a soft glow. There is slight darkening over time, so it’s suitable for combination to oily skin.
Benton Cica Moist Sun Cushion. It is a hybrid sunscreen with high oil content and titanium dioxide as its main filter. The puff absorbs a lot of product, so it doesn’t feel like much is going on the skin. It gives a slightly cooling sensation when applied with a subtle glow. It’s a dewy finish product. When sprayed and rubbed with water, it stayed on well. It didn’t wash off with cleansing foam alone, so use an oil cleanser or extend cleansing time. It’s a hydrating hybrid sunscreen cushion with minimal tone-up and a soft glow. It’s waterproof, so great for workouts or swimming; recommended for combination or dry skin.
Kimjungmun Aloe Cure Aqua Mild Cooling Sun Cushion. It is a mineral sunscreen that uses only zinc oxide. It contains soothing aloe vera juice and zinc oxide, which provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. The large size makes it easy to dab across the face and even the body. The sponge is quite firm, so you have to press down with some pressure to get product on the applicator. The particles aren’t super fine, so the tone-up effect is noticeable, and it provides great pore coverage. As long as you don’t touch it, the finish stays just like the first application. Since it settles into fine lines, you'll need to remove it with a cleansing oil. This one is a hydrating mineral sunscreen, big in size, so easy to apply on both the face and body. Recommended for dry and combination skin types, though dry skin should use a solid skincare base.
Sun stick & Sun cushion Top of Top
Here is Sun stick & Sun cushion Top of Top.
Now moving on to the 2025 Top Moisturizing Organic Sunsticks.
Dr.G’s Red Blemish Soothing Up Sunstick. makeprem was our moisturizing pick back in 2023; the texture was smooth and the cooling effect was great, so it’s still a recommended item. Dr.G uses a high content of water, oil, and wax, so it glides on softly and is especially good for dry skin. It’s been chosen again for its comfort and ease of application. With high oil and wax content, organic filters, and a medium amount of powder, it manages to be hydrating without feeling greasy. This product has verified SPF and PA UV protection. It uses butyloctyl salicylate, which is a booster oil, meaning that even with moderate UV filter content, it enhances the product’s sun-blocking effect. Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate blocks UVA, ethylhexyl triazone blocks UVB, and polysilicone-15 adds gloss and UVB protection while offering conditioning. The stick is rounded, so it applies smoothly, is soft and moisturizing, and works well on both face and body. It has a slight glow and hint of dewiness. It's not extremely resistant to water and friction, but it holds up decently. It washed off cleanly with cleansing foam. This one is a soft, cooling, and moisturizing organic sunstick that’s easy to apply and easy to cleanse. For dry skin, it finishes softly and pairs well with makeup.
Now for the 2025 Semi-Matte Organic Sunstick Top Picks.
Isntree Onion Fresh Light Sunstick. Back in 2023, the top picks were Goodal’s Heartleaf Cooling Sunstick. Both had great ingredients, strong staying power, and waterproof performance, still highly recommended. Isntree is well-suited for sensitive combo/oily skin. It has a good moisture balance and high powder content but doesn’t feel dry, so it's easy to reapply over makeup. With high oil and wax content, organic filters, and whitening and wrinkle-care functions, it appears to have 12.5% organic filters. Even though it’s not extremely high in active ingredients, it offers proper UV protection. It uses four organic UV filters to effectively block both UVA and UVB rays. Pigments like titanium dioxide and ultramarine give the formula a violet tint, but it applies transparent without any tone-up effect. Its teardrop shape allows precise application around the nose, inner eyes, and eyelids. It gives a soft matte finish but still feels slightly moisturizing. Even after water spray and rubbing, most of the product remained. It doesn’t fully wash off with foam cleanser, so you’ll need cleansing oil or a second-step cleanse. After application, it feels soft and is suitable for oily skin. Great balance between oil and moisture, soft finish, a solid pick for combo and dehydrated oily skin types.
Now on to the 2025 Matte & Waterproof Organic Sunstick Top Picks.
UIQ Byom Perfect Sebum Sunstick controls oil and shine well — ideal for oily skin. Because of its excellent staying power, it’s recommended for any skin type during summer, especially for workouts or outdoor activities. It uses organic UV filters with oil, wax, and powder. Based on the 12.5% UV filter content and moderate powder levels, it likely provides around SPF 60 protection. The powder helps with sebum control and pore blurring, and the finish is super airy. The formula is firm and doesn’t melt easily, making it great for both face and body. It applies transparently and didn’t cause eye stinging for our testers. Right after applying, oiliness disappears, and there’s no stickiness or shine. Even 3 hours later, it maintained its finish. After water spray and rubbing, it still stayed almost perfectly intact. This one requires an oil cleanser. It doesn’t clump or rub off after application, so layering cushion or foundation on top doesn’t ruin your makeup. It’s a high-powder, matte organic sunstick with a slight pore-blurring effect. It's waterproof and works well on both the face and body. It doesn’t transfer onto clothes. Recommended for oily and combination skin year-round.
Now for the 2025 Top Tone-Up Cushions.
Bring Green’s Tea Tree Cica Tone-Up Cushion. Back in 2023, our pick was AHC hybrid sunscreen. It still is a recommended item as it is an easy-to-wash product. Bring green tones up the skin well while calming and soothing, suitable for sensitive and combo/oily skin. With redness coverage and a cooling effect, it's perfect for summer reapplication. This product has completed clinical testing: SPF 50.9, PA 16.4, non-nano confirmed. Zinc oxide provides broad UVA and UVB protection and is effective on its own. The puff has a split-texture design that applies product softly and smoothly. It uses chromium oxide green for a subtle green tint, but it appears more like a gentle white tone-up on skin, not intense at all. Some may notice the product settling into pores, especially around the nose, so apply lightly in textured areas. You may feel a bit of dryness, so dry or dry-combo skin types should prep well before using. Durability was good, and cleansing with foam ranked slightly above average. With mild redness and pores covered, the cushion helped enhance the overall complexion. This is an easy-to-wash mineral tone-up sun cushion. It’s a semi-matte mineral sunscreen, feels dry on the outside but slightly moisturizing inside. Great for prepping red, sensitive skin before makeup. Recommended for sensitive, dry, and combo/oily skin.
Next is the 2025 Top Tone-Up Cover Cushion.
numbuz:n No.3 Ceramic Glow Cushion. It uses high levels of zinc oxide, a mineral UV filter. Beautiful color payoff and decent coverage made this a top sunblock pick. It includes ingredients like kelp extract, soapberry root extract, aloe vera leaf, and yam root extract, which provide hydration and cooling instead of menthol. It uses yellow, red, and black iron oxides for a beige tone-up effect. It’s a very thin texture, suitable for warm or cool skin tones with no glow. Coverage is light, but it softens pores and texture, so the feel is satisfying. Didn’t feel drying on combination skin. For dry skin, it might be slightly drying; use solid skincare beforehand. Because of the fine particles, it does darken slightly, but tapping extra product on brightens the area back up like the first application. Even after 3 hours, durability was great. After water spray and rubbing, a fair amount still remained. Under a UV meter, some was removed, but under a microscope, you could still see it in the skin texture, so use an oil cleanser to fully remove it. It’s a semi-matte, foundation-free mineral sun cushion. The mesh and puff were soft and easy to use. It has a beautiful sheer tone — best used alone. Recommended for oily, combo, and dehydrated skin.
This is the 2025 Top Pick for Gentle Use Suitable for Pregnant Women and Families.
mongdies Sun Cushion is the new pick, while Scinic was top in 2023. Scinic was known for great ingredients and long-lasting waterproof performance, still a great option for oily, combo skin, and even children. Mongdies has been a long-recommended product. It’s a mineral sunscreen with high zinc oxide content, no fragrance, whitening, or wrinkle care, making it suitable for kids and pregnant women. SPF 43, PA+++ — though not clinically tested. Soothing ingredients include sodium hyaluronate, calendula extract, and evening primrose flower extract. Ceramide NP, panthenol, and beta-glucan help strengthen the skin barrier. It’s a soft tone-up with a slightly short-lasting white cast, but the cooling effect is great. Oily skin may prefer it in winter, while dry and combo skin can use it all year round. Water and friction resistance are moderate. It’s easy to cleanse — one of the “Easy-Wash” type products. A clean-formula mineral sun cushion with a sheer tone-up. Washes off easily, making it ideal for children and family use. You’ll find a detailed ingredient list next to the product box, please check UV protection info before use. Even for clinically tested sunscreens, if the texture is very light, SPF levels can start to decrease after 6 months. Also, while we tested water resistance and 3-hour durability, it’s normal for some to wear off after that. So if you're doing sports, hiking, or swimming, don’t rely solely on your sunscreen. Sunsticks and sun cushions tend to last longer on the skin than creams due to stronger adhesion, so they’re harder to wash off. That means cleansing thoroughly is very important. I’ll be back with the next review. Bye.