Introduction
If there’s one store that represents K-Beauty shopping in Korea, it’s Olive Young.
Walk through any neighborhood in Korea, and you’ll likely spot that familiar green and white sign. Olive Young is everywhere — and for good reason. It’s the ultimate destination for Korean skincare, makeup, and beauty products, all under one roof.
For tourists, Olive Young is basically a K-Beauty playground. You can test products, discover new brands, and stock up on everything from sheet masks to sunscreen at reasonable prices.
In this guide, I’ll explain what Olive Young is, what to buy, how to shop smart, and why it should be on every K-Beauty lover’s itinerary.
What is Olive Young?
Olive Young is Korea’s largest health and beauty retail chain, operated by CJ Group. Think of it as a hybrid between a drugstore and a beauty boutique.
Quick Facts:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Stores | 1,300+ locations nationwide |
| Concept | Health & beauty lifestyle store |
| Products | Skincare, makeup, hair care, body care, supplements, snacks |
Unlike brand-specific stores (like Innisfree or The Face Shop), Olive Young carries hundreds of different brands. It’s a one-stop shop where you can compare products side by side and discover new favorites.
Why Tourists Love Olive Young
Olive Young has become a must-visit destination for international visitors. Here’s why.
All the K-Beauty Trends in One Place
Whatever’s trending in Korean beauty — the latest serums, viral lip tints, cult-favorite sunscreens — you’ll find it at Olive Young. The store is constantly updated with new products and brands.
Test Before You Buy
Almost every product has a tester available. You can swatch lipsticks, try skincare textures, and smell fragrances before committing. This is huge when you’re exploring unfamiliar brands.
Affordable Prices
K-Beauty is known for quality at reasonable prices, and Olive Young delivers. You’ll find effective products at every price point, from budget-friendly to premium.
Tourist Discounts
Show your passport at checkout and you’ll receive a discount — usually 5-10% off. Some locations also offer tax refunds for purchases over a certain amount.
English-Friendly Service
Staff at tourist-heavy locations (like Myeongdong) often speak English and can help with recommendations. Even if there’s a language barrier, they’re usually happy to assist with gestures and translation apps.
Store Layout & Sections
Olive Young stores are well-organized, making it easy to find what you need.
| Section | What You’ll Find |
|---|---|
| Skincare | Cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, masks |
| Sunscreen | Wide variety of Korean sunscreens |
| Makeup | Lip products, cushions, eye makeup, base makeup |
| Hair Care | Shampoos, treatments, styling products, hair tools |
| Body Care | Lotions, hand creams, body wash, scrubs |
| Men’s | Men’s skincare, grooming, shaving |
| Supplements | Vitamins, collagen, health drinks |
| Snacks & Drinks | Diet snacks, protein bars, healthy drinks |
Yes, there’s a snack section. Olive Young has evolved beyond beauty to include health foods, diet snacks, and trendy treats. It’s part of the experience.
Popular K-Beauty Brands at Olive Young
With so many brands available, it can be overwhelming. Here are some favorites that are consistently popular.
Skincare Brands:
| Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| Torriden | Dive-In Hyaluronic Acid serum |
| Round Lab | Dokdo cleanser, Birch Juice sunscreen |
| Anua | Heartleaf toner, gentle formulas |
| Dr.G | R.E.D Blemish Clear line |
| Mediheal | Sheet masks |
| Innisfree | Green tea, volcanic clay products |
| COSRX | Snail mucin, acne patches |
Makeup Brands:
| Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| Rom&nd | Lip tints, Juicy Lasting Tints |
| Clio | Kill Cover cushion |
| Peripera | Ink Velvet lip tints |
| Too Cool For School | Egg Mellow cream, unique packaging |
| Etude | Playful, colorful makeup |
Sunscreen Favorites:
| Product | Why It’s Popular |
|---|---|
| Round Lab Birch Juice Sunscreen | Lightweight, no white cast |
| Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun | Traditional ingredients, gentle |
| Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Sun Gel | Hydrating, skin-like finish |
Best Products to Buy
Not sure where to start? These categories are worth exploring.
Sunscreen
Korean sunscreens are world-famous for their elegant textures — no greasy, white-cast formulas here. They feel like skincare and work under makeup beautifully.
Sheet Masks
Affordable and effective. Stock up on Mediheal, Torriden, or Abib masks. They make great souvenirs too.
Lip Tints
Korean lip tints offer long-lasting color with a natural, gradient effect. Rom&nd and Peripera are tourist favorites.
Cleansers
Double cleansing is a Korean skincare staple. Pick up an oil cleanser and a foam cleanser for the full experience.
Cushion Compacts
Korea invented cushion foundations — compact, portable, and perfect for touch-ups. Clio and Laneige are popular choices.
Skincare Sets
Many brands offer travel-size sets that let you try multiple products without committing to full sizes. Great for testing or gifting.
How to Shop at Olive Young
Tourist Discounts
Always bring your passport. At checkout, show it to receive the tourist discount. The cashier will scan your passport and apply the discount automatically.
Some larger stores offer tax refunds for purchases over 30,000 won (sometimes 50,000 won). Look for “Tax Free” signs or ask staff.
Membership
You can sign up for Olive Young’s global membership using your phone number. This earns points and sometimes unlocks additional discounts.
Shopping Tips:
- Use testers freely — That’s what they’re there for
- Ask staff for help — They’re knowledgeable about products
- Check the “Best” displays — These highlight top-selling products
- Look for “1+1” deals — Buy one, get one free promotions
- Grab a basket — You’ll need it; things add up quickly
- Don’t forget your passport — For the discount at checkout
Best Olive Young Locations for Tourists
While Olive Young is everywhere, some locations are especially good for tourists.
Myeongdong
The flagship tourist location. Multiple floors, massive selection, English-speaking staff, and all the tourist services (tax refund, passport discount). This is K-Beauty heaven.
Hongdae
Large stores in a trendy neighborhood. Great for combining shopping with exploring Hongdae’s cafes and street culture.
Gangnam
Modern, well-stocked locations near Gangnam Station. Good selection and tourist-friendly.
Dongdaemun
Near the shopping malls, convenient if you’re doing a big shopping day.
Airport (Incheon)
Last-minute shopping before your flight. Prices are similar to city stores, and it’s tax-free.
Olive Young vs Other Beauty Stores
How does Olive Young compare to other options?
| Store | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Olive Young | Largest selection, most locations, multi-brand |
| Lalavla | Similar concept, fewer stores |
| Lohbs | Lotte-owned, found in Lotte areas |
| Chicor | More premium/luxury focus |
| Brand stores | Single brand only (Innisfree, Etude, etc.) |
For variety and convenience, Olive Young is hard to beat. Brand stores are good if you already know exactly what you want from a specific brand.
Shopping Online
Can’t make it to Korea? Olive Young has a global website that ships internationally.
Olive Young Global: global.oliveyoung.com
You can browse the same products, often with English descriptions and reviews. It’s a good option for restocking favorites after your trip or discovering products before you visit.
My Olive Young Story
I often visit Olive Young with my wife. There’s one right near our home, so it’s easy to stop by. But honestly, even without the convenience, we’d probably still go just for the fun of browsing.
Olive Young is great for finding quality skincare products at reasonable prices. My wife loves exploring the makeup section — there’s always something new to discover, whether it’s a trending lip tint or a skincare product she’s seen online.
As for me? I have a confession. While my wife is carefully comparing cushion compacts and serums, I tend to wander over to the snack section. Olive Young sells these chocolate cookies and jellies that always catch my attention. I can’t help it — the packaging is cute, and they’re surprisingly tasty.
So our typical Olive Young trip looks like this: my wife fills the basket with skincare and makeup, and I sneak in some chocolate cookies and gummy snacks. It works out perfectly.
That’s the thing about Olive Young — there’s something for everyone, even if you’re not a beauty enthusiast. Whether you’re serious about K-Beauty or just tagging along with someone who is, you’ll find something to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Olive Young is the ultimate K-Beauty destination.
It’s where Korean beauty trends come to life, where you can test and discover products, and where tourists can stock up on everything from viral serums to cult-favorite lip tints. The passport discount, tax refund options, and helpful staff make it especially welcoming for international visitors.
Whether you’re a skincare obsessive or a casual browser, add Olive Young to your Korea itinerary. Take your time, use the testers, ask for recommendations, and don’t forget to check out the snack section.
You might walk in for sunscreen and walk out with a basket full of surprises.