10 Must-Visit Korean Skincare Stores in Myeong-dong

(SPOT.ph) The Hallyu wave is alive and well, and we don’t just mean K-Pop or K-Dramas! Anyone who’s into skincare has dreamt of copping Koreans’ famously dewy and radiant complexion—and there’s no better place to get started than in Seoul’s ultimate shopping district: Myeong-dong. The bustling shopping paradise is home to literally dozens of stores that cater to all your K-Beauty needs; we’re not exaggerating either, because you can find one or two branches of the same brand in a single street!

You’ve already seen stores like The Face Shop, Banila Co., Holika Holika, Etude House, Tony Moly, and Skinfood all over Manila. This time, we show you where to go for skincare brands that aren’t as readily available in the Philippines.

Shopping pro-tip: Most stores in Myeong-dong offer a tax refund at the counter, as long as you present your passport and you spend over a certain amount. Don’t forget to ask for samples while you pay!

IMAGE Aimee Dacanay / Innisfree

Innisfree

One of Korea’s most popular brands, Innisfree boasts an all-natural, eco-friendly beauty and skincare lineup with ingredients harvested from Jeju Island. They carry entire skincare lines that cater to any skin type and problem imaginable! If you want to try their products without the major commitment, make a beeline for their budget-friendly capsule packs for the most bang for your buck.

Must-tries: It’s Real Squeeze Sheet Masks; Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask; Jeju Pore Cleansing Foam; and The Green Tea Seed Serum

IMAGE Visit Korea / Dear Klairs

ALAND

ALAND is a haven for unique and homegrown finds but only select branches carry must-try Korean skincare products. You’ll need to keep an eye out for the somewhat hidden Myeong-dong branch (it’s best to ask your hotel for directions), but this is the only place where you can shop hard-to-find skincare gems like COSRX, Dear Klairs, and Son & Park!

Must-tries: AHA/BHA Clarifying Toner and Acne Pimple Master Patch from COSRX; Supple Prep Facial Toner and Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum from Dear Klairs; and Beauty Water from Son & Park

IMAGE Aimee Dacanay / Nature Republic

Nature Republic

There are several Nature Republic branches around the Metro, but it's hard to resist entering their main (and biggest) branch in Myeong-dong—especially when you see its famous outdoor display. Their bestseller is the aloe vera gel, which is so cheap and popular that they offer full-sized tubs in sets of six and 12!

Must-tries: Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel; Bamboo Charcoal T-Zone Kit; and Real Nature Mask Sheets

IMAGE Visit Korea / Laneige

Aritaum

Think of Aritaum as a Sephora of sorts. It's filled with cosmetic brands from the Korean company, Amore Pacific, which carries products for both male and female customers. You can shop popular brands like Laneige, IOPE, Mamonde, and Odyssey here. (For makeup lovers, don't forget to pick up IOPE's bestseller, the Air Cushion, on your way out!)

Must-tries: Rose Water Toner and Floral Hydro Cream from Mamonde; Lip Sleeping Mask and Water Sleeping Mask from Laneige; and Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning from IOPE

IMAGE Aimee Dacanay / belif

belif

This herbal cosmetic brand combines traditional 19th Century techniques with modern-day Korean skincare science, promising super-soft and hydrated skin in a jar. If you suffer from oily or combination skin, they've got lightweight products for you, too!

Must-tries: The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb; Oil Control Moisturizer Fresh; and Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream

IMAGE The SAEM

The SAEM

With decades of experience under its belt, The SAEM carries over a whopping 750 products and over 40 skincare lines. From troubled and irritated skin to enlarged pores, you'll find something that caters to virtually any skin issue you can imagine. 

Must-tries: Healing Tea Garden Green Tea Cleansing Water; Sebum-Removing Cotton Swabs; and Urban Eco Harakeke Toner

IMAGE Visit Korea / Missha

Missha

This beauty and skincare brand has been a long-time crowd-favorite for a good reason. They don't just effectively address your skin's needs; they're easy on the wallet, too!

Must-tries: Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule; Time Revolution First Treatment Essence Intensive Moist; and Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream

IMAGE Visit Korea / Too Cool For School

Too Cool For School

Add some quirky fun to your nightly skincare routine with finds from Too Cool For School. Their three-storey branch in Myeong-dong is filled with innovative beauty products that come in the cutest and, well, coolest packaging.

Must-tries: Egg Cream Mask; Sitkoza Cleansing Gel; and Egg Mousse Pack

IMAGE Visit Korea / Mamonde

Watsons

You can easily find a Watsons branch pretty much anywhere in Manila, but we urge you to pay them a visit when you're in Korea. Here, you'll find skincare brands that fit all kinds of budgets and needs, like Leaders, Dr. Jart+, Mediheal, and Mamonde (which also has its own stores in Myeong-dong).

Must-tries: Aquapore Lentil Bean Seed Anti Sebum Mask and Whitening Cell Skin Seed Mask from Leaders; and NMF Aquaring Ampoule Mask and HDP Pore Stamping Mineral Mask from Mediheal

IMAGE Aimee Dacanay / April Skin

Olive Young

Like Watsons, you can find an Olive Young store at almost every street in Korea. Sheet masks fill an entire aisle, but be on the lookout for hard-to-find skincare brands like Neogen and April Skin. Their Myeong-dong branch is their main store, which houses a huge section where you can test their cosmetics and skincare.

Must-tries: Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Exfoliating Pads and Real Fresh Green Tea Foam from Neogen; and Pinky Piggy Carbonated Pack and Pinky Clay Nose Pack from April Skin