Tools
Olive Young shopping helper올리브영 쇼핑 도우미
Pick what you’re shopping for and get a card for your phone: the Korean words to find on the shelf and the box, the ingredient names to look for in the ingredient list (전성분), and a sentence to show the staff.
Visitors from abroad spent over ₩1 trillion at Olive Young in the first eight months of 2026, buying six items at a time on average — skincare most of all. K-BeautySum is not affiliated with Olive Young.
1. What are you shopping for?
Pick up to three.
Your picks stay in your browser.
2. Your shopping card
Pick a concern and your card appears here — the Korean words to find on the shelf and the box, the ingredient names to look for, and a sentence to show the staff.
Every word on the card, by concern
The same lists as the card — open one to read it or to hear the words.
Dryness 건조
Shelf: 스킨케어 (Skincare) · 마스크팩 (Masks and pads)
On the box
- 피부장벽pi-bu-jang-byeokskin barrier
- 보습bo-seupmoisturising
- 수분su-bunhydration (water)
Product types
- 토너to-neotoner
- 에센스e-sen-seuessence
- 수분크림su-bun-keu-rimmoisturising (gel) cream
- 크림keu-rimcream
- 슬리핑팩seul-li-ping-paeksleeping mask (leave on overnight)
In the ingredient list (전성분)
- 소듐하이알루로네이트 — Sodium Hyaluronate
- 글리세린 — Glycerin
- 세라마이드엔피 — Ceramide NP
- 판테놀 — Panthenol
- 스쿠알란 — Squalane
- 베타인 — Betaine
Plain 보습 (moisturising) is not a reviewed claim; 피부장벽 (skin barrier) is.
Show the staff: 피부가 건조해요. 보습 제품 추천해 주세요.
My skin is dry. Could you recommend a moisturising product?
Redness, sensitive skin 진정
Shelf: 스킨케어 (Skincare) · 더모 코스메틱 (Dermocosmetics (derma brands))
On the box
- 진정jin-jeongsoothing, calming
- 시카si-kacica — a marketing name for centella asiatica (병풀), not an ingredient name
- 저자극jeo-ja-geuklow irritation (gentle formula)
- 약산성yak-san-seongmildly acidic (close to skin’s natural pH)
Product types
- 토너to-neotoner
- 앰플aem-peulampoule (a concentrated serum)
- 크림keu-rimcream
- 패드pae-deutoner pads
In the ingredient list (전성분)
- 병풀추출물 — Centella Asiatica Extract
- 마데카소사이드 — Madecassoside
- 판테놀 — Panthenol
- 알란토인 — Allantoin
- 약모밀추출물 — Houttuynia Cordata Extract
- 쑥잎추출물 — Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
시카 on the front is the marketing name; the ingredient list says 병풀추출물.
Show the staff: 피부가 예민해요. 진정 제품 추천해 주세요.
My skin is sensitive. Could you recommend a soothing product?
Dark spots, dull tone 미백
Shelf: 스킨케어 (Skincare)
On the box
- 미백mi-baekbrightening (literally “whitening”: helps with dark spots, it doesn’t bleach skin)
- 잡티jap-tiblemishes, uneven spots
Product types
- 세럼se-reomserum
- 앰플aem-peulampoule (a concentrated serum)
- 크림keu-rimcream
- 토너to-neotoner
In the ingredient list (전성분)
- 나이아신아마이드 — Niacinamide
- 알부틴 — Arbutin
- 아스코빌글루코사이드 — Ascorbyl Glucoside
- 에칠아스코빌에텔 — Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether
- 트라넥사믹애씨드 — Tranexamic Acid
- 아스코빅애씨드 — Ascorbic Acid
미백 means brightening — help with dark spots and uneven tone, not bleaching.
Show the staff: 잡티가 고민이에요. 미백 기능성 제품 추천해 주세요.
I have dark spots. Could you recommend a brightening (미백) functional product?
Wrinkles, firmness 주름
Shelf: 스킨케어 (Skincare)
On the box
- 주름 개선ju-reum gae-seonwrinkle improvement
- 탄력tan-ryeokfirmness, elasticity
Product types
- 세럼se-reomserum
- 앰플aem-peulampoule (a concentrated serum)
- 아이크림a-i-keu-rimeye cream
- 크림keu-rimcream
In the ingredient list (전성분)
- 아데노신 — Adenosine
- 레티놀 — Retinol
- 레틴알 — Retinal
- 바쿠치올 — Bakuchiol
- 팔미토일펜타펩타이드-4 — Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
- 카퍼트라이펩타이드-1 — Copper Tripeptide-1
Korean 주름 개선 claims rely on ingredients such as adenosine and retinol. Retinal (레틴알) is not on Korea’s list.
Show the staff: 주름 개선 기능성 제품 추천해 주세요.
Could you recommend a wrinkle-improvement functional product?
Breakouts, pores 트러블
Shelf: 클렌징 (Cleansing) · 스킨케어 (Skincare) · 마스크팩 (Masks and pads)
On the box
- 여드름성 피부 완화yeo-deu-reum-seong pi-bu wan-hwahelps soothe acne-prone skin (cleansers only)
- 트러블teu-reo-beulbreakouts
- 모공mo-gongpores
- 피지pi-jisebum (skin oil)
- 각질gak-jildead skin cells, flakes
Product types
- 클렌징 폼keul-len-jing pomfoaming cleanser
- 토너to-neotoner
- 패드pae-deutoner pads
- 스팟 패치seu-pat pae-chiblemish patch (spot patch)
In the ingredient list (전성분)
- 살리실릭애씨드 — Salicylic Acid
- 티트리잎오일 — Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
- 약모밀추출물 — Houttuynia Cordata Extract
- 글루코노락톤 — Gluconolactone
- 병풀추출물 — Centella Asiatica Extract
The reviewed acne claim (여드름성 피부 완화) is only for rinse-off cleansers.
Show the staff: 트러블이 자주 나요. 트러블 피부용 제품 추천해 주세요.
I often get breakouts. Could you recommend something for breakout-prone skin?
Sunscreen 선크림
Shelf: 선케어 (Sun care)
On the box
- 자외선 차단ja-oe-seon cha-danUV protection
- 무기자차mu-gi-ja-chamineral sunscreen (zinc oxide / titanium dioxide filters only)
- 백탁baek-takwhite cast
- 내수성nae-su-seongwater resistant
Product types
- 선크림seon-keu-rimsunscreen (cream)
- 선스틱seon-seu-tiksunscreen stick
- 선쿠션seon-ku-syeonsunscreen cushion
- 선스프레이seon-seu-peu-re-isunscreen spray
In the ingredient list (전성분)
Mineral sunscreens (무기자차) use the two filters below. SPF50+ and PA++++ are the top grades.
Show the staff: 백탁 없는 선크림 추천해 주세요.
Could you recommend a sunscreen with no white cast?
Hair loss, scalp 탈모
Shelf: 헤어케어 (Hair care)
On the box
- 탈모 증상 완화tal-mo jeung-sang wan-hwahelps relieve hair-loss symptoms
- 두피du-piscalp
- 비듬bi-deumdandruff
Product types
- 샴푸syam-pushampoo
- 트리트먼트teu-ri-teu-meon-teuhair treatment (conditioner)
- 두피 토닉du-pi to-nikscalp tonic — a leave-on liquid for the scalp
- 두피 스케일러du-pi seu-ke-il-leoscalp scaler — a scalp exfoliator used before shampoo
In the ingredient list (전성분)
A cosmetic may only claim to help relieve hair-loss symptoms — not to regrow hair.
Show the staff: 탈모 증상 완화 기능성 샴푸 있어요?
Do you have a functional shampoo for hair-loss symptoms?
Sensitive skin 민감성
Look for
- 무향mu-hyangfragrance-free
- 저자극jeo-ja-geuklow irritation (gentle formula)
Skip if you react to it
- 일부에 시험 사용il-bu-e si-heom sa-yongpatch test (try on a small area first)
Ask: 무향 제품 있어요?
Do you have fragrance-free products?
Olive Young’s sections, in Korean
The category names Olive Young uses on its Korean website — handy for reading signs and asking staff. Store layouts differ.
| Korean | Section | What’s in it |
|---|---|---|
| 스킨케어 | Skincare | 스킨/토너 toner, 에센스/세럼/앰플 essence, serum, ampoule, 크림 cream, 로션 lotion, 미스트/오일 face mist, face oil |
| 마스크팩 | Masks and pads | 시트팩 sheet masks, 패드 toner pads, 페이셜팩 other face masks, 코팩 nose strips, 패치 patches |
| 클렌징 | Cleansing | 클렌징폼/젤 cleansing foam, gel, 오일/밤 cleansing oil, balm, 워터/밀크 cleansing water, milk, 필링&스크럽 peels and scrubs |
| 선케어 | Sun care | 선크림 sunscreen, 선스틱 sun stick, 선쿠션 sun cushion, 선스프레이/선패치 sun spray, sun patch |
| 더모 코스메틱 | Dermocosmetics (derma brands) | — |
| 메이크업 | Make-up | 립메이크업 lips, 베이스메이크업 base: foundation, cushion, 아이메이크업 eyes |
| 헤어케어 | Hair care | 샴푸/스케일러 shampoo, scalp scaler, 트리트먼트/팩 treatment, hair mask, 두피에센스 scalp essence, 헤어에센스 hair essence |
| 바디케어 | Body care | — |
| 건강식품 | Health supplements | 비타민 vitamins, 영양제 supplements |
Price tags and deals
The words on Olive Young’s shelf tags. More on K-beauty shopping in Korea.
- 1+11+1buy one, get one free
- 2+12+1buy two, get one free
- 증정jeung-jeongfree gift included
- 기획gi-hoekspecial set (a bundle, often with extras)
- 본품bon-pumfull-size product (not the gift)
- 미니mi-nimini size
- 단독dan-dokexclusive (only at this shop)
- 한정han-jeonglimited
- 테스터te-seu-teotester
- 올영세일ol-yeong-se-ilOlive Young sale event
- 올영픽ol-yeong-pikOlive Young Pick (the month’s featured deals)
- 즉시환급jeuk-si-hwan-geupinstant tax refund (at the till)
Paying and the tax refund
- Olive Young said in July 2025 that its main stores give the tax back at the till: show your passport, and the VAT comes off a purchase of ₩15,000 or more.
- The instant refund covers purchases under ₩1,000,000 each, up to ₩5,000,000 in total since you arrived in Korea. Take the goods home within 3 months.
- See what you get back with the tax refund calculator.
In July 2025 Olive Young said about 110 of its stores in tourist areas — Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, Busan, Jeju and more — have staff who speak English, Japanese or Chinese.
Phrases for the staff
Tap the speaker to hear each one.
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 피부가 건조해요. 보습 제품 추천해 주세요. | My skin is dry. Could you recommend a moisturising product? |
| 피부가 예민해요. 진정 제품 추천해 주세요. | My skin is sensitive. Could you recommend a soothing product? |
| 잡티가 고민이에요. 미백 기능성 제품 추천해 주세요. | I have dark spots. Could you recommend a brightening (미백) functional product? |
| 주름 개선 기능성 제품 추천해 주세요. | Could you recommend a wrinkle-improvement functional product? |
| 트러블이 자주 나요. 트러블 피부용 제품 추천해 주세요. | I often get breakouts. Could you recommend something for breakout-prone skin? |
| 백탁 없는 선크림 추천해 주세요. | Could you recommend a sunscreen with no white cast? |
| 탈모 증상 완화 기능성 샴푸 있어요? | Do you have a functional shampoo for hair-loss symptoms? |
| 무향 제품 있어요? | Do you have fragrance-free products? |
| 이 성분 들어간 제품 있어요? | Do you have products with this ingredient? (point at the name) |
| 테스터 써 봐도 돼요? | Can I try the tester? |
| 이거 1+1이에요? | Is this buy one, get one free? |
| 택스 리펀드 되나요? 여권 여기 있어요. | Can I get the tax refund? Here is my passport. |
| 봉투는 필요 없어요. | I don’t need a bag. |
| 카드로 할게요. | I’ll pay by card. |
Before you buy
- Check the dates: 사용기한 (use-by) or 개봉 후 사용기간 (period after opening). The label decoder reads both from a photo.
- On the ingredient list, anything at 1% or less may be listed in any order — a star ingredient can sit near the end.
- Look up any Korean ingredient name in the ingredient dictionary.
Questions
Is K-BeautySum part of Olive Young?
No. K-BeautySum is an independent guide and is not affiliated with CJ Olive Young. We explain the Korean words on labels and shelves; we don’t sell or rank products.
Can I get a tax refund at Olive Young?
In July 2025 Olive Young said its main stores take the VAT off at the till: show your passport and spend ₩15,000 or more in one purchase. Korea’s instant refund covers purchases under ₩1,000,000 each, up to ₩5,000,000 in total on a trip.
What does 기획 mean on an Olive Young tag?
A special set — usually a full-size product (본품) bundled with extras such as minis or a refill. Compare the volume with the single product.
Where is sunscreen in Olive Young?
Under 선케어 (sun care): 선크림 (sunscreen), 선스틱 (sun stick), 선쿠션 (sun cushion) and sun sprays.
Does 미백 mean whitening?
It is the Korean word for brightening. As a reviewed functional claim it means helping with dark spots and uneven tone — not bleaching the skin.
Do I need to speak Korean?
Not always. In July 2025 Olive Young said its stores in tourist areas have staff who speak English, Japanese or Chinese and show product names in English. The card helps when the box is only in Korean or the store is busy.
Sources
- Olive Young online store (올리브영 온라인몰) — category names in the menu, read 28 October 2026
- MTN — Olive Young’s foreign customers pass ₩1 trillion in purchases three months sooner than in 2025; six items per purchase; skincare first (31 August 2026)
- Smart Today — Olive Young’s tourist-area stores: instant VAT refund at main stores, staff speaking English, Japanese and Chinese, about 110 stores (22 July 2025)
- Special rules on VAT and excise for foreign tourists (외국인관광객 등에 대한 부가가치세 및 개별소비세 특례규정), Articles 2, 3 and 6 — in force 2 January 2026
- Enforcement Rule of the same special rules, Article 2 — the ₩15,000 minimum
- Enforcement Rule of the Cosmetics Act (화장품법 시행규칙), Articles 2 and 19 — in force 2 April 2026
- Korea Cosmetic Association — ingredient dictionary (대한화장품협회 성분사전)
Checked 28 October 2026. Rules change — the official texts above are the final word.