If you’re visiting Korea and you care even slightly about skincare, makeup, or looking good — you’re going to end up in Olive Young. It’s not a question of if. It’s a question of how much you’ll spend.
Olive Young is Korea’s #1 health and beauty store. Think of it as the Korean lovechild of Sephora, CVS, and a really well-curated beauty boutique — all at prices that will make you question why you ever bought skincare anywhere else.
After watching tourists (and my own family members) go absolutely wild in Olive Young for years, I’ve put together this complete guide. What to buy, what to skip, how to get tax refunds, and which locations are worth visiting. Let’s get into it.
What Is Olive Young?
Olive Young (올리브영) is Korea’s largest health and beauty retail chain, with over 1,300 stores nationwide. It carries everything from skincare and makeup to hair care, supplements, snacks, and even contact lenses.
What makes Olive Young different from beauty stores in other countries:
- Massive K-beauty selection — Hundreds of Korean brands you can’t easily find overseas, all under one roof.
- Aggressive pricing — Regular sales, 1+1 (buy one get one free) deals, and member discounts run constantly.
- Testers for everything — You can test almost any product before buying. Skincare, makeup, even lip tints.
- Tourist-friendly — Major locations have English signage, multilingual staff, and instant tax refund counters.
The stores range from small neighborhood shops to massive flagship locations. If you’re a tourist, head straight to a flagship store for the best experience.
Best Olive Young Locations for Tourists
Not all Olive Young stores are the same. Here are the ones worth visiting:
Olive Young Myeongdong Town (명동타운)
Best for: First-time visitors, biggest selection
This is the largest Olive Young in Korea. Multiple floors, every brand imaginable, dedicated tourist services, and a tax refund counter right inside. It’s overwhelming in the best way. If you only visit one Olive Young, make it this one.
- Location: Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 6
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily
Olive Young Hongdae (홍대)
Best for: Younger crowd, trendy picks
Located in the heart of Hongdae, this store tends to stock the latest trending products faster than other locations. Great for finding viral TikTok products.
Olive Young Gangnam (강남)
Best for: Premium products, less crowded than Myeongdong
The Gangnam flagship is spacious and well-organized, with a strong premium brand selection. Less tourist chaos than Myeongdong, which some people prefer.
Olive Young N Seongsu (성수)
Best for: Instagram-worthy store design, exclusive products
The newest flagship in Seoul’s trendiest neighborhood. Beautiful interior design and sometimes carries exclusive products you won’t find at other locations.
What to Buy: Top Product Categories
Olive Young carries thousands of products. Here’s where to focus your time and money.
Sunscreen — Korea’s #1 Export (Basically)
Korean sunscreen is genuinely world-class. Lightweight, no white cast, beautiful finish — they’re years ahead of Western sunscreens. This is the #1 thing tourists should buy.
Best picks:
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun — The most hyped Korean sunscreen globally. Rice + probiotics formula. Around ₩9,000–₩12,000.
- Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel — Lightweight, hydrating, and completely invisible on skin. Around ₩10,000.
- ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream — Great for dry skin types. Around ₩12,000.
- Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel — Japanese brand but widely available. Budget-friendly at around ₩8,000.
Pro tip: Buy sunscreen in bulk. It’s 2–3x more expensive overseas. The 1+1 deals on sunscreen alone justify the trip to Olive Young.
Skincare — Serums, Toners, and Moisturizers
Korean skincare philosophy is about layering lightweight products rather than one heavy cream. Here are the essentials:
Best picks:
- COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence — Yes, snail mucin. Yes, it works. The best-selling essence in Korea for a reason. Around ₩12,000.
- Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum — Hydration powerhouse. Around ₩13,000.
- Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner — Calms redness and irritation. Cult favorite. Around ₩15,000.
- Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream — The best moisturizer for sensitive skin, period. Around ₩15,000 for a huge tube.
- Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum — Propolis + niacinamide for brightening. Around ₩10,000.
Sheet Masks — The Ultimate Souvenir
Sheet masks are the perfect Korea souvenir — lightweight, cheap, and everyone loves getting them. Olive Young runs constant multi-buy deals on masks.
Best picks:
- Mediheal N.M.F Aquaring Ampoule Mask — Korea’s #1 selling sheet mask brand. Around ₩1,000–₩1,500 per sheet.
- Dr. Jart+ Dermask Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution — Premium pick. Around ₩3,000 per sheet.
- Torriden DIVE-IN Mask — Great for sensitive skin. Around ₩1,500 per sheet.
Shopping tip: Look for bundle deals. “10+10” (buy 10 get 10 free) mask promotions are common and insanely good value. Stock up for gifts.
Makeup — Lip Tints, Cushions, and More
Korean makeup is all about the natural, dewy “glass skin” look. The products are designed to look like you’re not wearing any makeup at all.
Best picks:
- rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint — The lip tint that started a global obsession. Dozens of beautiful shades. Around ₩8,000.
- CLIO Kill Cover Mesh Glow Cushion — Natural, glowing finish. Korea’s best-selling cushion foundation. Around ₩25,000.
- peripera Ink the Velvet — Matte lip tint with incredible staying power. Around ₩7,000.
- TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion — Viral on TikTok for good reason. Full coverage, all-day wear. Around ₩20,000.
- Etude House Play Color Eyes — Beautiful eyeshadow palettes at amazing prices. Around ₩15,000.
Hidden Gems: Non-Beauty Products Worth Grabbing
Most tourists head straight for skincare, but don’t overlook these:
- Vita-C effervescent tablets — Vitamin C drinks, hugely popular in Korea. Around ₩3,000.
- Hangover cure drinks (상쾌환) — Grab a few before your Korean BBQ and soju nights. Around ₩2,000 each.
- Korean dental care — Median toothpaste and interdental brushes are surprisingly excellent. Around ₩3,000–₩5,000.
- Hair treatment masks — Mise en Scene and Moremo treatments are salon-quality at drugstore prices. Around ₩8,000–₩12,000.
- Contact lenses — Colored and clear daily lenses, no prescription needed for cosmetic ones. Around ₩10,000–₩20,000.
How to Save Money at Olive Young
Olive Young already has great prices, but there are ways to save even more.
1. Get the Olive Young Membership (Free)
Download the Olive Young Global app or sign up in-store. Benefits include:
- Welcome coupon (usually 15–20% off)
- Points on every purchase (1% back)
- Access to member-only sales and flash deals
- Birthday month coupons
2. Shop During Sale Periods
Olive Young runs major sales several times a year:
- Olive Young Festa (June) — The biggest annual sale. Up to 50% off across the store.
- Black Friday / Year-End Sale (November–December)
- Spring Sale (March) — Great timing for tourists visiting during cherry blossom season.
3. Look for 1+1 Deals
1+1 (one plus one) means buy one get one free. These are scattered throughout the store on yellow tags. Sunscreen, sheet masks, and lip tints frequently have 1+1 deals. Always check before grabbing just one.
4. Claim Your Tax Refund
As a foreign tourist, you’re eligible for a tax refund on purchases over ₩15,000 at a single store in a single transaction.
How it works at Olive Young:
- Flagship stores (Myeongdong, Gangnam) have instant tax refund counters inside. Show your passport at checkout and the tax is deducted immediately.
- Smaller stores will give you a tax refund receipt. Take it to the tax refund kiosk at the airport before departure.
The refund is approximately 5–7% of your purchase. On a ₩200,000 shopping spree, that’s ₩10,000–₩14,000 back.
Important: Bring your passport. No passport, no tax refund. Period.
Olive Young Shopping Strategy (For First-Timers)
Walking into a flagship Olive Young can be overwhelming. Here’s my recommended approach:
- Head to the “Best” section first. Every store has a bestseller display near the entrance ranked by category. This tells you exactly what Korean consumers are buying right now.
- Check the 1+1 deals. Walk through and note all the buy-one-get-one-free tags before you start grabbing things.
- Test before you buy. Korean stores encourage testing. Use the testers on your hand or wrist — especially for cushion foundations and lip tints.
- Use the Olive Young app. Scan product barcodes to see reviews, ratings, and whether a better deal exists online.
- Sunscreen first, everything else second. This is where you get the most value compared to overseas prices. Fill your basket here.
- Don’t forget the tax refund. If you’re spending over ₩15,000 (you will be), get that refund.
Olive Young vs. Other K-Beauty Stores
You’ll see other beauty stores around Seoul. Here’s how they compare:
| Store | Best For | Price Level |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Young | Widest selection, multi-brand, best deals | ₩–₩₩ |
| Chicor (시코르) | Premium/luxury brands, Shinsegae-owned | ₩₩–₩₩₩ |
| Daiso (다이소) | Ultra-budget beauty basics | ₩ |
| Brand stores (Innisfree, Etude, etc.) | Single brand loyalty, exclusive items | ₩–₩₩ |
For most tourists, Olive Young is the only beauty store you need. It carries products from almost every Korean brand, often at better prices than the brands’ own stores. The exception is if you want luxury brands (Sulwhasoo, Hera) — those are better at Chicor or department stores.
Olive Young FAQ
Do they accept international credit cards?
Yes. Visa, Mastercard, and most international cards work at all Olive Young locations.
Can I shop online and pick up in-store?
The Olive Young Global app and website ship internationally, but prices may differ from in-store. For the best deals, buy in person in Korea.
Are products authentic?
100%. Olive Young is an authorized retailer for all brands it carries. No fakes, ever.
What time do stores close?
Most locations: 10:00 PM–11:00 PM. Myeongdong flagship stays open until 11:00 PM. Check the app for specific store hours.
Can I return products?
Unopened products can be returned within 14 days with receipt. Opened products cannot be returned — which is why the testers exist.
How much should I budget?
Most tourists spend ₩50,000–₩200,000 per visit. It’s easy to overspend, so set a budget before walking in. You’ve been warned.
Final Tips
- Go early. Flagship stores in Myeongdong get packed after 2 PM, especially on weekends. Morning is the best time to browse comfortably.
- Bring a big bag. You’ll need it. Olive Young bags are small, and if you’re buying for friends and family, things add up fast.
- Check expiration dates. Korean beauty products have both a manufacturing date and an expiration date printed on them. Make sure you’re buying fresh stock — especially for sunscreen.
- Ask staff for recommendations. Olive Young employees at flagship stores are incredibly knowledgeable. Many speak basic English and can recommend products for your skin type.
- Don’t buy K-beauty at the airport. Duty-free K-beauty sounds tempting, but prices are usually higher than Olive Young. Buy in the city.
For more on Korean shopping and culture, check out my K-Beauty Shopping Guide, Myeongdong Shopping Guide, and Korean Convenience Store Guide.
Happy shopping — and may your suitcase have enough room for everything you’re about to buy.