By Ggot-song Kim, a Seoul-based K-lifestyle curator. With years of personal experience navigating the challenges of oily, acne-prone skin, Ggot-song is dedicated to sharing tried-and-true solutions that truly work.
This is the ultimate guide to the top Olive Young must buy items.
Welcome to K-Beauty heaven! Olive Young is a must-visit destination for any beauty lover, but with thousands of products, it can be overwhelming. What’s truly worth your money?
As a Seoul-based beauty expert, I’m constantly testing the latest and greatest products. Forget the tourist traps; this is the ultimate insider’s guide to the 6 must-buy items at Olive Young that Koreans are actually obsessed with right now.
Ggot-song’s Top 6 Olive Young Must-Buys
1. Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
- Why it’s a must-buy: This cream is a legendary soothing solution in Korea. Formulated with 5-Cica Complex and Ceramides, it’s a rescue cream that helps calm irritated skin and strengthen the skin barrier. It’s a go-to for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- Ggot-song’s Expert Analysis & Pro-Tips: This cream has a soft texture that absorbs instantly and you can feel the soothing effect right away. After about two weeks of use, I noticed the redness around my blemishes significantly calmed down and my skin barrier felt stronger.
- Pro-Tip: On dry days, I use it as a sleeping mask by applying a thicker layer before bed. It’s also fantastic for calming skin after sun exposure.
I recommend a product that costs 32 dollars each but costs 46 dollars if you buy two.
It’s much more economical.
“Cica is a hero ingredient for breakouts. Learn more in The K-Beauty Acne Bible.
2. 이니스프리 그린티 히알루론산 크림
- Why it’s a must-buy: A classic for a reason, this cream is the perfect daily moisturizer for all skin types. It combines antioxidant-rich Green Tea extract with Hyaluronic Acid to deliver deep hydration without any heaviness.
- Ggot-song’s Expert Analysis & Pro-Tips: This was love at first use! It’s a refreshing cream that immediately relieves that tight, inner-skin dryness. After a month, my skin texture felt smoother and had a natural, dewy glow. It’s especially perfect for dry seasons.
- Pro-Tip: To maximize the moisture-locking effect, apply a hyaluronic acid serum first, then follow up with this cream.
3. Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum
- Why it’s a must-buy: This is the undisputed champion of dark spot serums in Korea. Formulated with potent Green Tangerine extract and Niacinamide, it’s famous for showing visible brightening results in as little as two weeks.
- Ggot-song’s Expert Analysis & Pro-Tips: I was skeptical about the ‘2-week’ claim, but the results are real. After two weeks of nightly use, my post-acne spots had visibly faded, and my overall skin tone was a full shade brighter.
- Pro-Tip: Vitamin C is sensitive to heat and light, so I recommend using this in your evening routine and storing the bottle in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and potency.
4. MEDIHEAL Madecassoside Blemish Pad
- Why it’s a must-buy: These toner pads are a viral sensation because they combine daily exfoliation and skincare into one easy step. The Madecassoside version is especially perfect for calming breakouts and gently managing dead skin cells.
- Ggot-song’s Expert Analysis & Pro-Tips: The genius of these pads is their versatility. I use them for a quick exfoliation before makeup to help my foundation apply flawlessly.
- Pro-Tip: When I have a red or irritated blemish, I place a pad on the spot for 5 minutes like a mini mask. It really helps to calm the inflammation.
5. Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Why it’s a must-buy: This product is a revolution in sunscreen. It’s an icon famous for its incredibly lightweight, serum-like texture that provides powerful SPF 50+ protection without any white cast or stickiness.
- Ggot-song’s Expert Analysis & Pro-Tips: I used to avoid sunscreen because I hated the heavy feeling. This product completely changed the game for me. It’s a sunscreen that doesn’t feel like sunscreen! It absorbs just like a lightweight essence.
- Pro-Tip: It’s absolutely amazing under foundation! It doesn’t cause any pilling and actually helps my makeup adhere perfectly, leaving a smooth finish.
6. BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
- Why it’s a must-buy: You’ve probably seen this innovative mask all over social media. It’s a hydrogel mask that turns transparent as your skin completely absorbs the low-molecular collagen and hyaluronic acid.
- Ggot-song’s Expert Analysis & Pro-Tips: I was amazed when I woke up and saw the mask had actually turned transparent! It’s not a gimmick. The next morning, my skin felt incredibly plump and moisturized.
- Pro-Tip: This mask works best when you wear it to sleep. This allows the ingredients to work in sync with your skin’s natural regeneration cycle.
Final Thoughts
This list is your perfect starting point for conquering Olive Young. Remember, the best products are the ones that work for your skin. Have fun exploring, and let me know your own Olive Young holy grails in the comments below!
P.S. Many of these items fit perfectly into a classic K-Beauty regimen. Learn the basics in our Ultimate Guide to the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine!