First time in Seoul and planning to shop for skincare? You’re not alone. Seoul is one of the best places in the world to explore K-beauty ; from bestsellers to brand-new launches you may not see back home.
But the first visit to a Korean “drugstore(약국)” can feel overwhelming. You’ll see unfamiliar product names (essence, ampoule, toner pads), rows of sheet masks, and labels that may be mostly in Korean.
This guide is a practical, first-timer-friendly roadmap so you can shop quickly, confidently, and without overbuying.
Step 1: Know Where You’re Shopping (약국 vs 올리브영)
In Seoul, skincare shopping usually happens in two main places:
1) Pharmacy (약국)
A traditional Korean pharmacy is marked by a green cross sign. These stores mainly sell medicine, but some carry skincare that feels more “pharmacy-style” or barrier-focused.
Best for:
- Sensitive skin basics
- Simple routines
- When you want fewer trendy options and more practical picks
2) Beauty drugstores (올리브영, Watsons, etc.)
The biggest name is Olive Young (올리브영). It’s the easiest place for first-time visitors because products are organized for browsing, and popular branches often have testers.
Best for:
- Bestsellers and starter routines
- Minis / travel kits
- Masks, pads, and seasonal items
Step 2: Use This 10-Second Store Strategy (So You Don’t Get Lost)
Before you start grabbing products, decide one main goal:
- Hydration (보습)
- Calming / redness (진정)
- Acne / breakouts (트러블)
- Brightening / dark spots (미백/잡티)
- Sunscreen (선크림)
This one decision saves you from the #1 tourist mistake: buying 12 items that do the same thing.
Step 3: Korean Words You’ll Actually See on Labels
You don’t need fluent Korean ; just a few category words:
- 약국 = pharmacy
- 토너 = toner
- 에센스 = essence
- 세럼 = serum
- 앰플 = ampoule
- 크림 = cream
- 마스크 = mask
- 선크림 / 선스크린 = sunscreen
Tip: If the label is hard to read, translation apps help. Many travelers use Papago (파파고) or Google Translate for quick label decoding.
Step 4: What to Buy as a First-Time Visitor (Low-Regret Shopping List)
If you’re unsure what suits your skin, start small. A simple 3-item routine is usually the safest:
The “Beginner Starter Set”
- Gentle cleanser (클렌저)
- Hydrating toner or essence (토너/에센스)
- Sunscreen (선크림)
Optional (choose only one):
- Sheet masks (마스크팩) as souvenirs
- One calming serum (진정 세럼)
- One barrier cream (장벽 크림) if your skin dries easily while traveling
Why this works: you can test Korean formulas without overwhelming your skin.
Step 5: How to Test Products in Store
- Test on your inner arm first (not your face)
- Avoid buying multiple strong “actives” on the same day
- If you buy a new serum/ampoule, try it for a few nights before adding more products
If you want help from staff, you can say: (show them this!)
- “추천해주세요” = Please recommend
- “민감성 피부예요” = I have sensitive skin
- “건성/지성/복합성이에요” = I’m dry/oily/combination
Step 6: Prices, Minis, and Why Smaller Can Be Better
Korean products often come in smaller sizes than Western ones. That’s not always a downside:
- Minis are great for testing
- Sets are often better value than buying single items
- Many formulas are concentrated, so you may use less than expected
Step 7: Tax Refund (택스 리펀드) Basics for Tourists
Some tourist-heavy stores offer tax refund options for eligible purchases. In many cases, you’ll need your passport.
Practical tip:
- Look for “Tax Free” signs
- Ask “택스리펀 돼요?” <- show them this! (Can I get a tax refund?)
- Policies can vary by store, so check at checkout
Common Mistakes to Avoid (Tourist Edition)
- Buying too many products at once
- Buying by hype without considering skin type
- Starting several new actives simultaneously
- Skipping patch tests
- Assuming “natural” automatically means gentle
Conclusion
Seoul’s drugstores are fun, fast, and packed with skincare options—especially if you shop with a plan.
For your first visit:
- Choose one goal
- Build a simple starter set
- Test carefully
- Add more only after your skin responds well
That approach usually leads to better results than a suitcase full of random bestsellers.
K Beauty Start 
Leave a comment