Sunscreen First, Everything Else Second
If you take nothing else from this post: buy Korean sunscreen.
The reason Korean sunscreen has its own global reputation isn’t marketing — it’s that the formulas genuinely feel different. Lightweight, no white cast, comfortable on the face in heat and humidity. More moisturizer than shield. The kind of product you actually remember to use because it doesn’t feel like a punishment.
For Summer 2026, these are the ones worth looking for:
Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream — gentle, hydrating, reliable. Good starting point if you’re new to Korean SPF.
Goodal Heartleaf Calming Sun Cream — particularly good for skin that runs reactive or red.
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+ — a longtime staple. Works for most skin types without drama.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun — the one that shows up constantly in skincare communities for good reason. Elegant finish, no residue.
All of these are regularly stocked at Olive Young and considerably cheaper than they’ll be imported elsewhere.
Cooling Toner Pads
Summer in Seoul is humid in a way that requires active management.
Cooling toner pads — many Koreans keep them in the refrigerator and press one against their face after coming inside — have become a genuine warm-weather staple rather than a novelty. They calm irritated skin, reduce redness, and provide the kind of instant reset that feels genuinely useful rather than just pleasant.
Worth buying a pack to try. If your skin tends to run warm or reactive in summer heat, you’ll use them.
Biodance Bio-Collagen Masks
These became a TikTok moment, and then they became an actual staple.
Unlike standard sheet masks that you wear for twenty minutes and remove, Biodance masks are designed to stay on for several hours or overnight — they dissolve gradually. The result feels noticeably different from a standard masking session.
They’re also one of those products that are meaningfully cheaper in Korea than anywhere else, which is why visitors tend to buy multiple boxes. They pack flat and travel well.
Torriden Dive-In Serum
A consistent bestseller for a reason.
Lightweight, deeply hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin, and the kind of thing that actually delivers on what it promises. Particularly useful if your skin tends to feel dry after flights or long days in the sun. If you’re only buying one serum, this is a reliable choice.
VT Reedle Shot
The one that feels a little different from anything else in the lineup.
VT Reedle Shot uses micro spicules to improve skincare absorption and smooth skin texture. It’s had a significant moment recently in Korean beauty communities. If you’ve never used it, start with a lower-strength version — it’s effective and worth working up to gradually.
Rom&nd Lip Tints
These have been the reliable souvenir recommendation for years and continue to deserve that status.
Affordable, long-wearing, and available in dozens of shades that range from everyday to statement. Most Olive Young locations have testers, which makes color selection considerably less stressful. Buy more than you think you need — they’re the kind of thing friends ask you to bring back.
Hair Care (Don’t Skip This Section)
Korean hair care has caught up to skincare in terms of international attention, and rightfully so.
For summer specifically, look for:
Cooling scalp shampoos and scalp sprays — designed for the heat, and noticeably effective if your scalp tends to overheat. Protein hair treatments and masks — popular year-round but especially good if sun exposure has left your hair feeling depleted.
The hair care section of Olive Young is large and worth a slower browse than most people give it.
The Wellness Section (Genuinely Worth Your Time)
Olive Young has expanded its wellness offering significantly over the past few years, and it’s one of the sections most visitors walk past too quickly.
Look for: cooling body wipes (essential for summer commutes), massage rollers and swelling care tools (practical and well-made), vitamins, collagen supplements, and protein snacks (the Korean market for these is extensive and quality-focused).
None of these are glamorous purchases. All of them get used.
Shopping Tips Before You Go
Visit during a sale if you can. Olive Young runs promotions several times a year — including a major summer sale — and the discounts are significant.
Watch for 1+1 promotions. These are buy-one-get-one offers that rotate regularly. Anything you planned to buy anyway becomes considerably better value.
Bring your passport if you’re a visitor — tax refunds apply to purchases over a certain threshold, and the process is straightforward.
The largest selections tend to be in Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, and Seongsu. These locations also typically have English-speaking staff available.
One Last Thing
Olive Young is one of those places where you go in for sunscreen and come out forty-five minutes later with things you didn’t know existed and are now very glad you found. That’s not a criticism. It’s the experience. Lean into it, give yourself time, and buy the toner pads.
→ If you’re ordering Korean beauty products without leaving home: [Korea’s Dawn Delivery — Coupang, Market Kurly, and Oasis]
What’s your current Olive Young obsession? And is there anything you always make sure to restock when you’re back in Korea?
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