Olive Young Haul: 10 K-Beauty Must-Haves Worth the Hype

Beauty & Skincare • Korean Culture • Lifestyle & Slow Living

Walking into Olive Young in Seoul can feel like stepping inside a live K-Beauty search page. shelves of serums, lip tints and masks competing for space in your basket. This haul skips the hype and shares ten products I actually buy, finish and repurchase so you know what is worth packing in your suitcase.

Olive Young haul flat lay with Korean skincare and makeup on a clean white background — First stop in Seoul: Olive Young. Here’s what I actually use and recommend.

Olive Young: my first stop in Seoul

Whenever I land in Seoul, there’s one place I always go first — Olive Young. It’s where Korea’s skincare trends come to life. I usually order online and collect in store (dangerously convenient), but I still love stepping inside: the buzz, the bright displays, and the famous Popular Ranking shelves everyone checks.

People sometimes think Olive Young is only for teens chasing viral products. Not true — even my mum tried a few things and became a fan. Olive Young is for anyone who loves effective, everyday beauty. Here are my 10 picks I actually use and why they’re worth your suitcase space.

My Top 10 Olive Young Finds

1) Purcell 24/7 Colostrum Pore Defense Ampoule (Spray)

Purcell 24/7 Colostrum Pore Defense spray bottle in natural light

Midday lifesaver: I spritz over light makeup to keep skin calm and hydrated.

This became my little obsession. I keep it in my bag and mist whenever my skin feels tight. It refreshes the foundation and adds a soft glow. Confession: the bottle once leaked in my tote (tragic 😅) — and I still repurchased because it works that well.

If you’re curious, search for Purcell 24/7 Colostrum Pore Defense Ampoule at Olive Young or check global retailers online >

2) So Natural All Day Make Up Fixer (쏘내추럴 올데이 메이크업 픽서)

So Natural makeup fixer spray next to a makeup pouch

Holds makeup all day and leaves a healthy, dewy finish.

Once you try it, you won’t want to do your makeup without it. It locks everything in place, but the best part is the glow. A friend asked, “Did you redo your base at lunch?” Nope — just this spray.

It’s easy to find at Olive Young in Seoul, and also widely stocked by international K-beauty retailers >

3) Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara Remover (키스미 마스카라 전용 리무버)

Mascara remover and cotton pads on a vanity tray

Waterproof mascara, gone gently — no rubbing, no sting.

For anyone who wears stubborn mascara: peace treaty signed. I sometimes buy two at once because I panic about it going out of stock.

This one is a bestseller at Olive Young, and usually easy to find through global beauty shops too >

4) Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad (메디힐 마데카소사이드 흔적 패드)

Madecassoside toner pads with soothing essence on a glass dish

Cooling pads that calm heat — makeup sits smoother afterward.

My daily pre-makeup step. It cools redness so nicely that I once stuck a pad on my mum’s forehead during a heatwave. She laughed — then asked for the jar.

I usually pick these up at Olive Young, but they’re also available from many international K-beauty retailers.

5) Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream (에스트라 아토베리어 365 크림)

Aestura Atobarrier 365 cream texture swatch on a spatula

Light, calm, and kind to sensitive skin. Every time my barrier feels weak, I go back to this. My mum “borrowed” a tube and never returned it.

Available at Olive Young and through global skincare stores, especially for sensitive-skin favourites >

6) Medipeel EGF Scaling Moisture Foot Cream (매디필 풋크림)

Medipeel EGF foot cream on a soft towel for nightly care

Non-sticky, baby-soft feet by morning.

Skincare shouldn’t stop at the face. This lives on my nightstand, when I skip it, I notice.

You’ll spot this at Olive Young or through clinic-style K-beauty retailers online >

7) SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule

SKIN1004 centella ampoule bottle with a clear serum drop on glass

Pure centella to calm irritation and strengthen the barrier.

A K-beauty classic. It’s forgiving on clumsy mornings (a drop too much is still fine), and travel-friendly.

This is widely stocked at Olive Young and internationally, making it an easy repurchase outside Korea >

8) Anuna Heartleaf Pore Foam Cleanser (아누나 어성초 폼)

Heartleaf pore foam cleanser creating soft micro-bubbles

Fresh cleanse that respects your barrier — clean, not squeaky.

Great end-of-day wash. Pores feel clearer, skin stays comfortable, and it smells quietly clean.

Commonly found at Olive Young and increasingly easy to buy worldwide thanks to its popularity >

9) Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum (구달 청귤 비타C)

Goodal green tangerine vitamin C serum bottle in natural sunlight

Gentle vitamin C that brightens spots over time.

I layer a thin pump under sunscreen. It plays nicely with makeup and keeps tone looking fresh.

A classic Olive Young find, and also well stocked by global K-beauty shops >

10) Biodance Collagen Gel Mask (바이오던스 콜라겐 겔 마스크)

Collagen gel mask on a ceramic tray ready for a self-care night

Glass-of-water effect for skin — plump, bouncy, pampered.

My self-care night essential. Tip: chill the packet in the fridge for 10 minutes before using — instant spa mood.

Often available at Olive Young, and increasingly easy to find from international retailers online >

Shopping Olive Young: Where I Go

Inside an Olive Young store in Seoul with product testing stations

Seongsu’s flagship is huge (even a café!); local branches are calmer and cozy.

In Seongsu, the flagship is massive — you can test, explore, and even take a café break between aisles. Myeongdong has big stores tourists love. For a quieter vibe, I pop into a local neighborhood Olive Young. They’re everywhere, and you’ll see what everyday Koreans actually buy. I once sipped an iced latte while swatching lip tints — possibly the most K-Beauty moment of my life.

Final Thoughts

Olive Young proves K-Beauty isn’t about luxury price tags; it’s about smart, effective, and fun products that fit daily life. From trendy must-haves to gentle barrier care, there’s something for everyone. Next time I’m back in Seoul, Olive Young will be my first stop again — and I’ll share my updated list.

If you’re curious about any of these products or want me to review something specific from Olive Young, please leave a comment below or send me a message. I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions!