Korean Beauty Products I Fell in Love With – 4 Months of Trying Different Products

In South Korea, Olive Young stores can be found on almost every block. They are the best place to find any skincare, beauty, haircare, and health product. They carry a variety of brands that can help with several different issues regarding your appearance and your wellbeing from within (ex. health supplements). The best part is that there is always a sale of some sort, making it easier to find something affordable (even though the prices are not that pricey) and getting value for your money (ex. buy-one-get-one or value packs). I swear this is not an advertisement, but Olive Young is where everyone goes to pick up anything they need. The sales, convenience, variety, cleanliness, price, and customer service drew me in – leading to my endless purchases at their stores. Here are a few of my favourite products that I've tried. This list is only limited to the few products out of many that are offered at Olive Young, so don't be afraid to try other brands and products as well. For those living internationally, Olive Young has an international e-commerce store. They do have fewer selections than that of their brick-and-mortar stores, but the product variety has increased over the past few years. Click on the product images below for a link to where you can find and purchase the products.

You can also purchase some of the products on YesStyle, however, the shipping times do take longer than Olive Young Global. If you would like a discount for YesStyle, use code MKLOUIE01.

Skincare

Skincare is probably my favourite section at the store. I have had troubles with my skin for however long I can remember, thus I am always looking for products that will help me solve these issues. For reference my skin type is combination acne-prone skin. I also get very oily when I wear a medical mask and/or from the summer heat. I also have super dry patches during the colder, dryer months.

Cleansers:

BePlain Greenfly pH Balanced Cleansing Foam

This cleanser claims to "purify" and "moisturize" your skin while also balancing your skin's pH level. This product was recommended to me by one of the Olive Young employees and I have already bought this product twice. I find this it helps clean my skin after a long day outside exposed to micro-pollutants or after a sweaty workout, while not stripping away all of my oils for healthy balanced skin.

Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm

I've been a long-time user of this cleansing balm. Oil cleansers help get rid of any makeup, dirt, and oil on your face before using a cleanser like the one above. I find that this cleansing balm is the best for oil cleansing as it has no scent and is good for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Banila Co. even has other product variations, such as ones that claims to purify your skin, but I find this one works the best.

Shisedo Senka Perfect Whip Original

I've heard about a lot of celebrities using this product such as Jungkook from BTS, so I thought I would give it a try. It definitely helps in cleansing my face, however it does make my skin feel a little on the dry side after using it. So I would suggest this product to anyone who has oilier skin or for use in the summer months. I do like the creamy texture of this cleanser, making it feel nice and soft on my skin without having to foam it up too much in hands before putting it onto my face, like other brands.

Dr.G Brightening Peeling Gel

I heard that chemical peels are good for people with acne scars, thus making me wanting to try this product in an attempt to lighten the appearance of my scars. I am not 100% sure if it has helped me with reducing scar appearances, but it has helped me in exfoliating my skin. Use this after you have washed your face, once a week. When you gently rub the gel on your face, you can instantly feel some pieces of your dead skin rubbing off, and you can even see it! It doesn't feel too harsh on the skin too. Just make sure you moisturize well afterwards as sometimes I do find that my skin is dry the following days.

Toners

Abib Heartlead Calmin Toner Skin Booster

When I look for a toner, I try to look for one that helps retain moisture in my skin, keeping the appearance of my skin being hydrated and bouncy. I also try to look for one that helps with calming my acne prone skin or my heated skin when hot in the summer months or from wearing a mask. I find that this toner does just that. It's perfect for moisture retention and calming my skin.

Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner

So I have to admit, I didn't actually purchase this product, but I did get a travel size freebie when I bought something else from Etude House. I brought this one with me when I went on a ski trip and I found that it really helped with moisture retention amidst the dry and cold weather I was in. It also helped with my skin's absorption of other products as well.

Serums, Essence, & Ampoules

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

I've been using this product before my 4 month journey to Korea and continue to use it to this day. Snail mucin claims to nourish and moisturize your skin to give it a more youthful look. I find that this product helps seal in my skin's moisture, keeping it looking bouncy and glowy through the day or in the morning after a good night's rest. It does have a weird slimy texture, but once you get used to it, it's not too bad. I like to use this after my toners, treatments, and serums to seal in the products and help with the absorption of the products.

Our Vegan Heartlead 98 Cica Serum

Cica is an ingredient that is good for calming and soothing your skin. With my acne-prone skin, I find that cica serums have helped with the irritation caused by my acne. I've tried a few cica serums and this one is pretty good. The one thing I like about it is its value for the size. It comes in a big bottle in comparison to competitor rica serums, making it more worth it for the money, while having the same benefits as other cica serums.

Moisturizers

Etude SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream

Let's just say this product has changed my life. I bought this because I was going through some issues with my skin, as it was peeling from the dry weather mixed with some mild eczema and whatever else. But I bought this cream to help with an intense moisture at night so that I can wake up with moisturized and hydrated skin the next day. This product did that. It also helped me fix my skin barrier. I've noticed that my skin has been feeling softer and healthier ever since I started using this product at night. As a warning, this product is on the thick side, so it does take time to get used to it. I also suggest using it at night or when your skin is really dry and needs a little extra help.

Avène Hydrance Auqua Gel

This product was recommended to me by an Olive Young employee as I was trying to search for a better daily moisturizer. With my combination skin, acne prone skin, dry spots, and oily spots (with a mask), I needed a moisturizer that will address these issues but also ensure that my makeup lasted. With my previous moisturizer, I found that it was too oily, thus leading to my makeup looking patchy by the end of the day. When I tried this gel moisturizer I found that it kept my skin moisturized without being too oily or too dry. It also doesn't feel too heavy on the skin, perfect for when you have to but makeup on top. It also has a slight cooling affect, making my skin feel nice and refreshed in the morning.

Sunscreen

Shingmulnara Oxygen Water Light Sun Gel

Sunscreen is the key to anti-aging. Since my first time visiting Korea in 2019, I've been in search for a good sunscreen ever since Nature Republic discontinued my favourite sunscreen. My mom introduced me to this one. It is light, has no white cast, and has SPF50. It is perfect for your daily morning skincare, whether it is under your makeup or if you don't wear makeup at all. Due to its light formula, my makeup doesn't feel too heavy and my makeup stays on all day without patchiness at the end of the day.

Pimple patches

Olive Young Care Plus Scar Cover Spot Patch

I've tried many different pimple patches so far. From COSRX to Nexcare and more. I think these ones are my current favourites, but you can't go wrong any other ones as well.

Masks

MediHeal Essential Mask Sheet

Sheet maks are the perfect way to treat topical skin concerns while also adding moisture to your skin. MediHeal masks were one of the best ones that I tried in Korea. The tea tree one was good for soothing and calming my skin, especially my acne. While the watermide masks were good for adding deep hydration into my skin, as it was needed due to the cold and dry temperatures. I also tried the Vita mask and it was also good, but I definitely recommend the tea tree and watermide essential masks. I found that the mask itself fit perfectly on my skin and the type of material they used was soft and comfortable on the skin.

Skinfood Egg White Pore Mask

This mask is perfect for cleansing your pores and reducing the appearance of your pores. After using this product, I have found that my skin looks clearer and my pores looked smaller. It also leaves my face feeling shiny and tightened. I would say the consistency is similar to a clay mask, but if you are opting for something a bit different than a clay mask, try this one.

Makeup

Finding good makeup is essential. You want to find products that will last you all day with few touch ups if needed. Here are some of my favourites.

Banila Co. Prime Primer Classic

This primer was recommended to me by an Olive Young employee and I have been in love since. Due to my combination skin with oily patches (with a mask) and dry patches, I needed something that will make my skin look smooth while also ensuring my makeup lasted all day. This primer was perfect for that. I was skeptical with the texture of this primer at first, but it makes my skin feel baby soft. It also helps with my makeup lasting all day, with a few minor touchups from the rubbing of masks. I definitely recommend trying this one out.

So Natural All Day Tight Make Up Setting Fixx

I stumbled across this setting spray one day in Olive Young as I was running out of my setting spray that I brought from Canada. I tried this and it was a game changer. It is not a spray, it's a mist. It feels so much nicer on the skin when spraying it and it feels like you are getting a more even coverage rather than the little dots of coverage a regular spray would have. I do admit that I spray a lot of this during my makeup routine.The formula itself is like any other brand, but the mist makes it my all time favourite setting spray.

Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara Advanced Film

I guess I am lucky in the sense that I have long eyelashes for an Asian, but I still have the problem of my eyelashes drooping downwards throughout the day with my mascara. I found that the Kiss Me Heroine line has helped with the Asian eyelash problem. Although there is no solid solution for the drooping of eyelashes, this mascara reduces the amount of droop.

I hope these skincare and makeup recommendations helped you narrow down what products to look for or tryout. But remember, this list is not limited to the number of great Asian products there are out there. Go and try them and let me know what works for you!

If you are looking for more information regarding what each type of product does, benefits of certain ingredients, and more, feel free to check out my instagram highlights: "skincare" and "ingredients," as they are dedicated to skincare information.