Experts Agree—If You're Going to Buy 3 K-Beauty Items This Summer, It Should Be This, This, and This
The essentials you shouldn't skip.
It's never been easier to get your hands on beloved K-beauty staples. In case you haven't heard, Olive Young—Korea's leading beauty retailer—officially opened its doors in the U.S. with flagship stores in California, in Pasadena and at Westfield Century City (and non-California residents score free shipping over $35!). Sure, you can currently find popular Korean brands at retailers like Amazon and Ulta, but Olive Young offers a unique shopping experience driven by Korean consumers themselves—as opposed to the viral marketing many of us succumb to here in the U.S. The products Korean shoppers actually use and love can vary quite a bit from the ones that gain traction on TikTok, so if you're curious about the products actually resonating in Korea right now, Olive Young is the hub to turn to.
That said, shopping for K-beauty is not for the faint of heart! Olive Young stocks over 400 high-quality beauty brands, which can result in a pretty dizzying scrolling experience if you don't have a clear plan of action. Luckily, I sat next to Emma Jeong, a Seoul-based communications specialist at Olive Young, at a brand dinner a few weeks ago and asked her the following: If someone were completely new to Olive Young and K-beauty in general, which products should they start with this summer? Ahead, discover the top three recs I furiously typed in my Notes app.
First up, we have these pore-tightening sheet masks from Numbuzin. Brimming with fermented players (namely, 42% bifida ferment lysate and 21% galactomyces ferment filtrate), the mask strengthens the skin microbiome—aka, the trillions of organisms living on the surface of your skin—which, in turn, balances oil production and decreases inflammation, leading to a smoother, more hydrated skin texture over time. Unlike those viral collagen masks you leave on for multiple hours (or ideally overnight), this is a cotton-soaked sheet you slap on for just 10 to 20 minutes for a glassy smooth complexion. Given they're tagged at $3 a pop, I currently have six sheets sitting in my cart!
Face mists rule summer beauty routines, and this delicate cream mist is one of the most deeply hydrating you can find. It features a two-in-one cream and water-essence formula for immediate and long-lasting moisture, powered by cica extract, panthenol, and madecassoside to simultaneously relieve skin irritation. These actives make it much more potent than your run-of-the-mill refreshing mist, so much so that you could even substitute it for your toner or essence in your skincare routine. It also works wonders as a makeup-setting spray, FYI, as it supplies a healthy sheen over concealer without looking too "wet."
I legitimately squealed when Jeong mentioned this next hero. I've emptied three bottles and counting—it's that good. When summer ramps up, double cleansing becomes even more important to clear your complexion of all that lingering sunscreen and sweat, and Manyo's silky formula does just the trick without leaving behind a heavy, oily residue. It's truly one of the most sensorially appealing formulas I've ever used. There's a reason it's been crowned the number one cleansing oil at Olive Young with 17 beauty awards!
Shop More Best-Selling Products From Olive Young
Apparently, this Banila Co blush is quite similar to Rhode's, just with a slightly more matte finish. I'm sold!
My all-time favorite Korean sunscreen. I won't rest until everyone's tried it at least once!
Hands down, one of the best facial mists you can use to refresh makeup.
Clearly, I'm on a facial spray kick. It is summer, after all! This one is especially plumping with PDRN, hyaluronic acid, and collagen.
Shoppers adore this sheet mask that contains a highly concentrated amount of hyaluronic acid (just as much as the standalone serum) without making your skin feel sticky.
Angry, inflamed skin is no match for these soothing toner pads.
This no-fuss firming cream is a savior for dull, dehydrated, easily reactive skin. Plenty of reviewers say it blows luxury face creams out of the water—and with this set, you score two for $70.
IOPE is Korea's best-selling brand for aging skin, and this advanced serum was specifically tested to deliver similar results as an in-office PDRN treatment. The result? Increased skin firmness, elasticity, and a glass-like glow.
