Seoul beauty guide: Where to buy the best Korean beauty products

This article first appeared on Skyscanner's Seoul beauty guide: Where to buy the best Korean beauty products.

If there's one thing Koreans know, it's how to look fabulous. You can see their elite techniques on display in the best dramas like Descendants of the Sun.

With so many great attractions too, such as the Seoul Tower and the fancy areas of Myeong-dong and Gangnam, you know you want to head there soon for a well-deserved getaway. So, consider a Seoul escape with Skyscanner for your next holiday.

And while you're there enjoying your hard-earned vacation by having some bulgogi and kimbab, pick up some beauty supplies that aren't just from Nature Republic and Skin Food!

1. Lotte Department Store

Lotte Department Store is one of Korea's icon and has a wide variety of goods from Korean labels to world-famous luxury brands. Skincare and cosmetic brands among other things will go on sale very often. Don't forget that you can claim for a tax refund at Lotte Department Store itself when you're there on vacation.

Address: 30, Eulji-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

How to get to Lotte Department Store: Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station

1a. Laneige

Laneige, which is "natural snow" in French, gives your skin a splash of snowy beauty. They mainly sell moisturisers that make your skin feel unbelievably supple, and through this specialisation, Laneige has a well-earned reputation for quality and products that are perfect for women of all ages. Their products will be useful on the flight back to Singapore!

What to buy at Laneige: Laneige White Plus Renew Skin Refiner, Laneige White Plus Renew Emulsion and Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Website: Laneige

1b. Sulwhasoo

This scientifically-inclined luxury skincare brand and homegrown company has taken ancient Korean techniques and updated them with modern tweaks. Their products promise to leave your skin absolutely beautiful and nourished. This is a great place to battle the ravages of time. Get some for your mom too!

What to buy at Sulwhasoo: First Care Activating Serum EX from SGD105

Website: Sulwhasoo

2. Myeong-dong

Myeong-dong is one of Seoul's bustling places and is among Korea's premier shopping destinations. It's a shopping mecca with a healthy mixture of street stalls and retail outlets selling everything you could imagine you'd need. It's popular for both foreign and domestic travels.

2a. Olive Young

Olive Young is Korea's own Sephora. It's a drug store offering various items from health supplements to cosmetics and accessories, and makes for an exciting and fun shopping destination. They often have beauty launches and even offer a styling bar for you to touch up your hair!

What to buy at Olive Young: Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine

Address: 53 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

How to get to Olive Young: Myeong-dong Station

Website: Olive Young

2b. ARITAUM

The ARITAUM cosmetics stores have an incredible range of cosmetics from brands owned by local conglomerate Amore Pacific. Hugely popular with locals and tourists alike, ARITAUM is the place to go for affordable and effective beauty products.

What to buy at Aritaum: Iope Air Cushion

Address: 52-24 Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

How to get to Aritaum: Myeong-dong Station

Website: ARITAUM

Bustling Myeong-dong is hip and lively. Photo credit: Thousand Wonders

3. Garosu-gil

Garosu-gil, an area in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, is so named for its tree-lined streets. And to this day, the majestic gingko trees tower over throngs of shoppers who exude an aura of casual cool, even when going about their business. This neighbourhood mashes up the old with the new, and is a great place to while away an afternoon in Seoul.

3a. Too Cool for School

This unique local brand has been working with some of the nation's top young illustrators to produce Korean cosmetics packaged in chic boxes. With a New York creative office lending extra hipness to the whole operation, you'll fall in love with the products and their packages.

What to buy at Too Cool for School: Egg Cream Sheet Mask

Address: Dosan-daero 13 gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

How to get to Too Cool for School: Sinsa Station

Website: Too Cool for School

3b. VDL

VDL is not looking to create the next trendy boom, it desires to create classic, timeless products that will outlive any trend. For classic beauty that lasts a lifetime, VDL is a great place to start your search.

What to buy at VDL: VDL NAKED Cleansing Oil Cream

Address: Sinsa-dong 545-19, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

How to get to VDL: Sinsa Station

Website: VDL

4. Samcheong-dong

This hip hillside neighbourhood is known for its hole-in-the-wall art galleries, boutiques, and bistros. The hip modernity of the place is juxtaposed nicely with the traditional Korean architecture that still dots the district. Stretching from Gyeongbokgung Palace to Samcheong Tunnel, it's one of the most interesting places in the city, and happens to be a great spot to pick up beauty supplies.

4a. LYAnature

Lee Young-ae, star of the hit historical drama Dae Jang Geum, opened up LYAnature to provide healthy, natural skin care products for her and her children, and share the goods with the public. Her products are all made with organic ingredients, and they avoid harsh chemicals as much as possible. This shop offers mainly skincare and body care products, as well as baby creams.

What to buy at LYAnature: LYA Ball Klenzer

Address: 63-38 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

How to get to LYAnature: Nearest station is Anguk but it might be more convenient to take a cab

Website: LYAnature

4b. Moonshot

YG entertainment, the masterminds behind some of the hottest K-pop stars, is the force behind this local cosmetics brand. Looking to be waited upon by beautiful Korean boys who are experts in the art of cosmetology? Moonshot's staff is nearly entirely male, meaning you're in good strong hands when it comes to picking out the perfect vivid shade for you!

What to buy at Moonshot: Cream Paint

Address: 111 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

How to get to Moonshot: Nearest station is Anguk but it might be more convenient to take a cab

Website: Moonshot

5. Belport

For a true Korean shopping experience, head to Belport, a perfumery carrying many other brands with lots of luxurious cosmetics. Eschewing the high-end western brands many consumers associate with quality, Belport instead focuses on real luxury and quality, choosing substance over style. With its global selection of amazing beauty products, you can't go wrong here. This chain's flagship location is in the wonderful Garousu-gil neighbourhood but we recommend one of their newest stores in Itaewon. Make-up fans can easily blow an afternoon here browsing the shelves.

How to get to Belport: Itaewon Station or Hangangjin Station

Address: 257, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Itaewon

5a. Hello my name is

This total self-care brand has the whole range of amazing beauty products, from colourful nail polish to sensuous skincare creams that will treat your flesh with the utmost tenderness. It is luxurious yet affordable, and the satisfaction you feel will be compounded by the money you save.

What to buy at Hello my name is: One Coat Color Nail Polish

Website: Hello my name is

5b. D28

D28's specially formulated hypoallergenic products are just the thing for those with sensitive skin, or even for the discerning shopper who wants the best. With its savvy combination of science and nature, D28 is sure to have the perfect product for you and your skin.

What to buy at D28: Protection UV CUT Water Screen

Website: D28

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