Olive Young Shopping Guide 2024: 7 Insider Tips + Best K-Beauty Products to Buy (and Avoid)

Walking into Olive Young in Korea can feel overwhelming. Trust me, I see tourists every day wandering around, completely lost, ending up with random sheet masks and drinks instead of the good stuff.

As an Olive Young VIP member who's been doing makeup in Korea for 9 years, I'm about to share 7 insider secrets that even most locals don't know. Plus, I'll reveal why Olive Young's "#1" products aren't always my #1 picks — and what you should buy instead.

If you're planning a K-beauty haul or just want to shop smarter online, this guide will save you money and disappointment.

---

7 Olive Young Insider Tips You Need to Know

Tip 1: Download the Olive Young Korea App First 📱

Before you even think about shopping, get the Korean version of the app or website. The global site has limited products and higher prices. The Korean app shows everything and you can use Google Translate if needed.

Tip 2: Time Your Shopping for Maximum Savings 💰

The biggest Olive Young sales happen 4 times a year: March, June, September, and December — usually the first week of each month. Mark your calendar.

Between sales, check the "오늘의딜" (today's deal) section on the Korean website. These daily bargains offer better discounts and bundle deals than other platforms.

Tip 3: Explore Olive Young's In-House Brands

Many people don't realize Olive Young has amazing private label brands:

• Skincare: Bring Green, Botanic Heal
• Makeup: Wake Make, Color Gram
• Tools: Fillimilli, Delight Project

These offer department store quality at drugstore prices.

Tip 4: Hunt for Olive Young Exclusive Shades 🎨

Some of the best colors are Olive Young exclusives. For example, my holy grail Hera Sensual Nude Gloss in "Georgia" is only sold at Olive Young — not even on Amore Mall. Always check if brands have store-exclusive shades.

Tip 5: Get Your Tax Refund

If you're a tourist and spend over ₩15,000 (about $10 USD) in one transaction, you can get tax refunds either at the store or at the airport. Just ask for the receipt.

Tip 6: Use This Secret Search Hack

Copy and paste "기획" in the Olive Young Korea search bar to find special promotional deals. You'll discover free gifts like mini lip sets with cushion purchases or sample bundles with shampoos.

Tip 7: Take My Masterclass for Personalized Recommendations

I offer both offline classes in Gangnam and online Zoom sessions where I analyze your skin and create a personalized routine. It's the fastest way to become a K-beauty expert before you shop.

---

What NOT to Buy at Olive Young ❌

Before we get to the good stuff, let me save you some disappointment:

Skip Anti-Aging Skincare for Mature Skin

If you're over 40 with dry skin, Olive Young's anti-aging selection is lacking. Most Korean moisturizers there are too lightweight. The truly effective anti-aging products like IOPE Super Vital Cream and Holitual serums are only available online at Amore Mall.

Avoid Cushions If You Need Shade Variety

Even if a cushion line has 5 shades, Olive Young stores typically only stock the 3 lightest ones. For better shade matches, visit department stores or even MAC.

---

Toners: Olive Young #1 vs My Real Pick

Olive Young #1: Round Lab Dokdo Toner
My honest take: This feels like water. Literally nothing. For my dry, mature skin, it's completely useless.

My Real #1: Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Liquid Mask
You can use this as a toner, and it actually works. It has PHA but doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. My makeup goes on smoother, skin feels more hydrated, and it's like a serum-toner hybrid. If you have dry or mature skin, try this every other day.

---

Toner Pads: Why I Ditched Mediheal

Olive Young #1: Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad
The problem: I'm sick of Mediheal pads. They're all basically the same despite fancy names (PDRN, Tea Tree, Collagen). The square shape doesn't stick well to your face, and I like using toner pads as quick 5-minute sheet masks while drying my hair.

My Real #1: Rejuran Derma Healer Pore Tightening Toner Pad
Don't expect pore miracles, but these are thicker, more moisturizing, and perfect for quick treatments. The only downside? No refill option. ⚠️ Warning: Some people with very sensitive skin report tingling, so patch test first.

---

Serums: Age Matters Here

For Oily/Combo/Younger Skin (20s)

Torriden Dive In Serum works great as a lightweight hydrator. For my dry, mature skin, it's too watery, but if you're young with oily skin, this can even replace your toner.

Bringgreen Zinc Teca Trouble Serum is my holy grail for breakouts. I see results immediately when my skin acts up. Slightly scented, so keep that in mind.

For Dry/Mature Skin (30s+)

Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Serum is decent for brightening and has a light gel texture. Better for normal to dry skin, okay in summer, but not enough for winter.

My Real #1: Holitual Core Lift Activating Serum
Not sold at Olive Young, but if you're over 40, just get this. Amazing hydration, and you get 3x more product than typical serums, so the price evens out.

---

Moisturizers: The Hydration Reality Check

Olive Young #1: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
It's okay, but as winter approaches, it's not enough hydration for mature skin.

My Holy Grails:

• Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion: #1 globally for a reason, but still not enough for very dry skin
• Illiyoon Ultra Repair Lotion: My actual holy grail. Long-lasting hydration that lasts 6+ hours. Perfect for pregnancy (I used it to prevent stretch marks). Don't use in summer — it's too rich for hot weather.

---

Sunscreens: Chemical vs Mineral

Olive Young #1: Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
Great moisturizing formula, but it's chemical sunscreen. During pregnancy, it made my eyes sting.

My Pregnancy-Safe Pick: Aestura Derma UV365 Barrier Hydro Mineral Sunscreen
Mineral formula with almost no white cast. Much gentler on sensitive eyes.

---

Eye Creams: Marketing vs Reality 👁️

The truth: If your face moisturizer is hydrating enough, just use more around your eyes. That's your eye cream.

My Eye "Cream": IOPE Super Vital Cream
I use this rich face cream around my eyes too. Gives me that glow without irritation. Not sold at Olive Young, unfortunately.

---

Cleansers: Oil vs Balm

Olive Young #1: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil
Removes makeup easily without tightness. Great for dry or mature skin.

For Sensitive Skin: Beplain Mung Bean Pore Cleansing Milk Balm
Soft, sherbet-like texture. No fragrance. Melts everything including mascara and works perfectly on mineral sunscreen. I've tested this on all skin types — everyone loves it.

---

Makeup Must-Haves

Cushion Foundations

Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion
Easy to apply, great shade range now, moisturizing yet good coverage. Perfect for mature skin with pigmentation.

For Minimal Coverage: Hera Reflection Skin Glow Cushion
My personal favorite. Low coverage but makes your skin look like "your skin but better." Limited shade range though.

Blushes: Liquid Revolution

Forget powder blushes. Korean liquid and cushion blushes are game-changers:

Dear Dahlia Petal Drop Liquid Blush
My holy grail. Amazing shade range, and I love mixing warm and cool tones. I've finished so many bottles.

Jung Saem Mool Artist Cushion Blush
Perfect for no-makeup makeup looks on fair to medium Asian skin tones.

Lip Tints

Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in "Bare Grape"
Olive Young #1, but I don't love the scent and longevity.

My Holy Grail Combo:
Lilybyred Juicy Liar Water Tint (long-lasting base) + Hera Sensual Nude Gloss in "Wet Berry" layered on top. The Hera "Georgia" shade is Olive Young exclusive!

---

Where to Buy

Skincare

Round Lab Dokdo Toner:

• Olive Young
• YesStyle

Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Liquid Mask:

• Amore Mall (Use code: CYOUNG for 15% off)
• Olive Young
• YesStyle

Mediheal Madecassoside Blemish Pad:

• Olive Young

Rejuran Derma Healer Pore Tightening Toner Pad:

• Olive Young

Torriden Dive In Serum:

• Olive Young
• YesStyle

Bringgreen Zinc Teca Trouble Serum:

• Olive Young
• YesStyle

Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Serum:

• Olive Young

Holitual Core Lift Activating Serum:

• Amore Mall (Use code: CYOUNG for 15% off)

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream:

• Amore Mall (Use code: CYOUNG for 15% off)
• YesStyle
• Amazon
• Olive Young

Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion:

• Amore Mall (Use code: CYOUNG for 15% off)
• Olive Young

Illiyoon Ultra Repair Lotion:

• Olive Young

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen:

• YesStyle
• Olive Young

Aestura Derma UV365 Barrier Hydro Mineral Sunscreen:

• Amore Mall (Use code: CYOUNG for 15% off)
• Olive Young
• YesStyle

IOPE Super Vital Cream:

• Amore Mall (Use code: CYOUNG for 15% off)

Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil:

• Olive Young
• YesStyle

Beplain Mung Bean Pore Cleansing Milk Balm:

• Olive Young
• YesStyle

Makeup

Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion:

• Olive Young
• YesStyle

Hera Reflection Skin Glow Cushion Foundation:

• Amore Mall (Use code: CYOUNG for 15% off)
• Olive Young

Dear Dahlia Petal Drop Liquid Blush:

• Olive Young

Jung Saem Mool Artist Cushion Blush:

• Olive Young

Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint:

• Olive Young

Lilybyred Juicy Liar Water Tint:

• Olive Young
• YesStyle

Hera Sensual Nude Gloss:

• Amore Mall (Use code: CYOUNG for 15% off)
• Olive Young

Discount Codes

• Amore Mall: Use