You’re Missing Out If You Don’t Shop Here in Korea – Olive Young Summer Sale Picks!

Korean Locals Swear by These Olive Young Bestsellers (I Tried Them So You Don’t Have To)

No sponsorship. Just what I picked up and actually used.

 

 

If you’ve ever walked around Seoul, you’ve probably seen Olive Young. It’s everywhere. This bright green-and-white store is Korea’s version of a beauty and wellness hub, kind of like Sephora meets CVS—only with a strong K-beauty twist.

As someone who enjoys skincare but doesn’t want to spend a fortune, Olive Young is one of my favorite places to shop. And right now (from May 31 to June 6, 2025), they’re having a Summer Sale with some really good deals. So I dropped by, grabbed a few essentials, and here’s what I thought.

 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, and I bought all the products myself during the sale. Just sharing what I genuinely liked (and didn’t).

 

 

Why I Shop at Olive Young

• One-stop shop: They have everything from toner to toothpaste, snacks to scalp scrubs.
• Reasonable prices: A lot of Korean products are high quality, but don’t cost a fortune.
• Great for tourists too: Many stores have tax-free counters and English signage, and you can often try testers on the spot.
• You’ll find Korean cult-favorites that locals actually buy (not just influencer hype).

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What I Bought (and Used): My Top 4 Picks

1. Hyaluronic Acid Serum – Torriden DIVE-IN Serum

I’ve heard people rave about this one online, so I decided to try it during the sale.
The texture is super light—almost watery—but it sinks in fast and leaves my skin plump without any stickiness. I’ve used it both morning and night for about a week, and so far, it works well under sunscreen or makeup too.

🛒 Sale Price: Around 15,000 KRW
📍 Available at most Olive Young branches

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2. Moisturizer – Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream

This one is a bit richer than I expected, but not heavy. The cream spreads easily and absorbs well.
I like that it doesn’t have a strong fragrance, and it helped keep my skin from feeling dry even with air conditioning on all day. I probably wouldn’t use it in extreme humidity, but for spring and indoor climates? Perfect.

🛒 Sale Price: About 17,000~20,000 KRW
🌿 Free from alcohol and fragrance (at least according to the box)

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3. Vitamin C Serum – COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum

Okay—this one surprised me. I’ve tried vitamin C serums that either irritated my skin or smelled weird.
This one does have a slight metallic scent (totally normal for pure vitamin C), but it didn't sting my skin. After about 4 days, I noticed my skin tone looked a little more even, especially around my nose where I usually get redness.

⚠ Tip: Keep it in the fridge. Vitamin C oxidizes quickly.
🛒 Price: Around 18,000 KRW during the sale

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4. Sunscreen – Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF50+ PA++++

This is my second tube. It has a lotion-like texture that feels more like skincare than sunscreen.
No white cast (at least on my light-medium skin), no greasiness, and no pilling under makeup.
I’ve used it on days when I’m outside a lot, and I haven’t gotten any sunburn so far.

🛒 Sale Price: ~13,000 KRW
🧴 Lightweight, but moisturizing—good even for dry skin

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Tips for Olive Young Shopping (Especially for Tourists)

• Ask for a Tax Refund: If you’re a tourist, just show your passport at checkout. Most stores are tax-free eligible.
• Use the Global Website: You can shop online too at global.oliveyoung.com if you're outside Korea.
• Go early during sales: Some popular items do sell out, especially sunscreens and mini sets.
• Look for “1+1” deals: These are Korean-style BOGO promotions that are seriously worth it.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re visiting Korea or just love skincare, Olive Young is absolutely worth checking out—especially during their seasonal sales. While not every product works for everyone, I found some solid staples this time.

If you’ve tried any of these, I’d love to hear your thoughts—or recommend what I should try next!