K-Beauty Shopping Guide: What to Buy and Where
For when you can't decide whether to buy in a store in Korea or online back home. We don't list prices because they change every day; tap a button to check each store or compare prices.
Before you buy
- Many Olive Young stores give foreigners an instant tax refund if you show your passport. Ask before paying.
- Downtown duty free shops need your passport and departure flight details; you pick up your purchases at the airport when you leave.
- The same product can cost very different amounts by country and store. Always compare, especially for devices.
Skincare best sellers abroad
The No. 1 product in Amazon US's skincare best sellers in 2026; medicube placed eight products in the top ranks.
Anua placed four products in Amazon US's top skincare ranks in 2026; the heartleaf toner is its signature line.
COSRX (now part of Amorepacific) also ranks near the top of Amazon UK's skincare lists.
Beauty of Joseon's sunscreen made Amazon's top skincare rankings in the UK and Germany.
A top-ranked mask on Amazon, and also featured in our Olive Young Myeongdong video as something Koreans actually buy.
d'Alba's mist made Amazon Germany's top skincare best sellers.
What Koreans buy at Olive Young
Listed in our Olive Young Myeongdong video as one of the things Korean shoppers actually pick up.
Also listed in the same Olive Young Myeongdong video.
Luxury: at duty free & department stores
Amorepacific's flagship luxury brand. Travelers usually buy it at duty free shops and department stores; it is also on Olive Young's online premium section.
LG H&H's luxury line, mainly sold at duty free shops and department stores.
Skincare devices
The brand says its AGE-R line has sold over 6 million units worldwide. Prices vary a lot by country, so compare before you buy.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, this site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.