Why Should You Visit a Korean Pharmacy on Your Next Trip?
K-beauty trends move fast, but there’s one shift you really shouldn’t miss.
Skincare products that were once considered “locals-only hidden gems” are now gaining huge popularity among travelers. The so-called “Ol-Da-Mu course”—Olive Young, Daiso, and Musinsa—is already a must-do for many visitors to Korea. But lately, Korean pharmacies are emerging as a new essential stop on travel itineraries.
You may have already come across Korean pharmacy products on Reddit or TikTok.
In this article, however, we’re sharing a carefully verified list of Korean pharmacies you can actually trust and visit with confidence during your trip.
What is the K-Pharmacy Universe series?
K-Pharmacy Universe is a content series that guides anyone unfamiliar with Korean pharmacies and their beauty products. From unique items found only in Korea to insider tips known mostly to locals, we share verified information from a Korean perspective.
How to book Korean beauty & medical treatments online safely?
Why do Koreans Buy Skin Care at Pharmacies?
- Ingredients That Actually Work: These products have pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, so they're more effective than your average drugstore products.
- Get Expert Recs: Talk to pharmacists who can recommend what actually works for your specific skin issues.
- Great Value: Get results that rival expensive brands without the crazy price tag.
- Safety First: All approved by Korea's health authorities, so you don't have to worry about sketchy ingredients.
Top 9 Skincare Products to Buy at Korean Pharmacies
1. Rejuall (Dr.Reju-All): All-in-One Cream for Regeneration, Soothing, and Hydration
- Price: 45,000 KRW (30ml)
- Key Ingredients: PDRN 1,200 ppm, low-molecular collagen, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol
The ingredient currently getting a lot of attention in reviews is PDRN, and among the many products featuring it, Rejuall (Dr.Reju-All) has earned a reputation for being the best value for its effects.
Its gel formula penetrates the skin more effectively than a cream and is suitable for all skin types, making it a versatile go-to product. On top of PDRN’s skin-regenerating and soothing benefits, it also provides deep hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid, so you can practically complete your skincare routine with just this one product.
In fact, in Korea, Rejuall (Dr.Reju-All) is often the first product recommended at pharmacies after cosmetic procedures or beauty treatments.
Who Should Try It
- Want to simplify your routine → an all-in-one cream that covers everything
- Struggling with acne scars and dry skin → hydrates while helping skin recover
- Just had a facial or beauty treatment → calms and supports healing
- Have sensitive skin → gentle enough to use on its own
How to Use
- Suitable for daily use anytime
- Pairs easily with other pharmacy skincare products, so you can mix it into your routine
2. Dr. Reju-All Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Lip Serum
- Benefits: Repairing, moisture-locking, deeply hydrating
- Size: 32 g (1 tube)
- Price: KRW 16,000
- Key Ingredients: PDRN, Adenosine, Polylactic Acid, Allantoin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Macadamia Oil, Hibiscus Extract, Vitamins E & B6
PDRN isn’t just used in the well-known multi-purpose cream anymore. In 2026, it was also released as a lip balm. The texture is more gel-like and feels very similar to the original cream. You only need a small amount to fully cover the lips, and it spreads easily. Most importantly, it contains no artificial fragrance. It’s completely colorless and scent-free, and the moment you apply it, you can feel your lips being comfortably wrapped in moisture.
After using the Dr. Reju-All Lip Balm for 24 hours, tests showed a 70% improvement in dead skin, a 54% increase in hydration, and noticeable lip tone maintenance. The results are impressive. I personally bought it and am very satisfied, so I’d definitely recommend it.
[블로그] Top 5 Must Buy Lip Balms in Korea
3. D-Panthenol: A Hidden Korean Skincare Staple
- Price: 8,000–12,000 KRW (50g)
- Key Ingredient: Dexpanthenol (Provitamin B5)
Koreans are known for their focus on achieving naturally clear and radiant skin. But true radiance starts with a healthy skin foundation, which is why base skincare is so important.
This is where D-Panthenol comes in. It soothes inflammation, supports collagen production, and strengthens the skin’s barrier, essentially acting as “skincare groundwork” for healthy, glowing skin.
It’s especially helpful during seasonal changes, calming sensitive skin caused by shifts in temperature and humidity.
4. Advanced LC-Ceramide Barrier Cream (Dr. Reju-All) : For those who want long-lasting hydration with a lightweight texture
- Price: 39,000 KRW (90ml)
- Key Ingredients: Long-chain Ceramide, β-sitosterol, D-Panthenol, Niacinamide
The skin barrier is primarily composed of long-chain ceramides.
This cream contains a patented long-chain ceramide that is approximately 90% similar to the skin’s natural ceramides, helping to strengthen the skin barrier and improve moisture retention.
Rather than providing surface-level hydration, it reinforces the skin barrier itself, allowing moisture to be held in for longer.
The lightweight white cream texture absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves little to no oily residue, making it comfortable to use even in hot and humid conditions.
Who Should Try It
- For skin that is prone to redness and sensitivity → D-panthenol helps soothe the skin and reduce visible redness.
- For those who find heavy or greasy creams uncomfortable → it offers a lightweight feel while simultaneously improving moisture retention within the skin.
How to Use
- Apply a pearl-sized amount evenly over the entire face.
- Use after Cleansing → Skin (or Toner) → Serum (or Essence) → PDRN Cream → LC Ceramide Barrier Cream
5. MelaToning: The Hidden Hero for Hyperpigmentation
- Price: 15,000–18,000 KRW (30g)
- Key Ingredients: Hydroquinone
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Korea’s summer sun is intense, making umbrellas and sunscreen essential—but for existing dark spots and freckles, Melatoning is the go-to for tackling hyperpigmentation.
This product is especially popular among Korean women in their 30s and 40s, known for effectively fading pigmentation, dark spots, and freckles. It’s commonly used after summer, when spots have darkened, to gradually even out the skin tone.
How to Use
- Avoid daytime use, as it makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight (use only at night)
- Always pair with sunscreen during the day
- With continued use, you’ll notice a gradual brightening of the skin
6. Advanced Retino-Mela Serum (Dr.Reju-All): A daily serum that helps care for both wrinkles and dark spots without irritation
- Price: 48,000 KRW (50ml)
- Key Ingredients: HPR (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate) 0.1% , α-bisabolol,Niacinamide, TXA 4%
HPR is gaining attention as a next-generation retinoid that overcomes the limitations of both first-generation Retinol and second-generation Retinal.
Advanced Retino-Mela Serum has a lightweight, watery texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving little to no stickiness or oily residue.
Comfortable enough for daytime use, it is also suitable for those new to retinoids or with sensitive skin.
Who Should Try It
- For sensitive skin or those new to retinol
- For those concerned about fine lines → suitable for targeting delicate areas such as around the eyes and mouth.
- For those dealing with pigmentation concerns such as dark spots or uneven tone → helps support melanin care for a more even-looking complexion.
How to Use
- Morning (AM) or daytime: After completing your basic skincare routine, be sure to apply sunscreen
- Evening (PM): For best results, use as the final step of your nighttime skincare routine
7. Noscana Gel: The Go-To Solution for Scars in Korea
- Price: 12,000–15,000 KRW (30g)
- Key Ingredients: Heparin sodium, allantoin, dexpanthenol
Noscana Gel is a specialized product designed for scar care. Since Koreans take skincare seriously, it’s no surprise that there’s also a strong focus on keeping scars from forming or lingering.
Noscana Gel is especially effective for red or noticeable scars—from popped pimples, post-surgery marks, to scratches—anywhere you want to prevent a healed wound from leaving a mark.
How to Use
- Apply consistently after stitches are removed following surgery
- Target red acne scars for focused care
- Prevent scars on children’s minor injuries
- Care for delicate skin after tattoo removal
8. Acnon Cream: The Ultimate Solution for Inflamed Acne
- Price: 8,000–10,000 KRW (15g)
- Key Ingredients: Ibuprofen Piconol, Isopropyl Methylphenol
Acnon Cream is a staple for Korean teens and people in their twenties. When acne breakout appears, this is the product they reach for first. Especially popular for overnight use, applying it to inflamed pimples often calms them by the next morning. Among Korean high school students, it’s even known as the “emergency acne cream” because it’s so reliable.
How to Use
- Use only on actively inflamed or pus-filled acne
- Not safe during pregnancy!! (contains tretinoin)
9. Aclean Gel: When dealing with whiteheads, excess sebum, or clogged pores
- Price: 12,000 KRW (20ml)
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Aclean Gel is designed to care for acne in its early, pre-inflammatory stage by helping dissolve excess sebum and impurities trapped inside the pores. It supports the improvement of small bumps, blackheads, and whiteheads caused by clogged pores.
Formulated with salicylic acid (BHA), which penetrates deep into the pores, it gently refines dead skin cells and excess oil. The clear gel texture provides a subtle cooling sensation and is easy to apply in a thin layer immediately after cleansing.
Widely recognized as a steady seller in Korean pharmacies, Aclean Gel is especially effective when used alongside Acnon Cream for more comprehensive acne and sebum control.
How to Use
- As dryness may occur, start by using once daily. If dryness or peeling develops, reduce application to once every other day
- Apply locally to problem areas rather than over the entire face
Korean Pharmacy skincare has become pretty well-known these days, and after actually using these products myself, I can see why.
When you visit Korea, don’t just stop by Olive Young or Daiso. I highly recommend stopping by a local pharmacy at least once—even the small ones you randomly pass on the street.
Consulting a pharmacist about your skin concerns and trying these products is a great way to experience the secrets of Korean beauty firsthand.
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