Where to shop for skincare in Seoul, besides the obvious
Yes, OY is a must-visit when you come to Seoul. That said, if you were present for the original y2k fashion trends, the products you find might not be too impressive for dealing with your current skin concerns.
If you want the really, really good K-beauty, here are the essential and even higher priority stops for your skincare shopping in Seoul.
The “Big Four”
Shinsegae, Lotte, Galleria, Hyundai
Korean department stores are where you will find the best of the best in korean skincare. Prestige lines that have stood the test of time and earned their place with the most critical customer demographic.
Brands like The whoo, Ohui, Sulwhasoo, AP Beauty, Su:m37 as well as foreign brands like Pola, Decorté, Clé de Peau, La Prairie. The price tags are elevated but so is the experience. The amount of service and GWP at Korean department stores is unmatched.
Amore Seongsu
Amore Pacific’s Flagship Store
Amorepacific’s flagship concept space that is quiet, sophisticated, and designed for slow testing rather than impulse shopping. All the Amore Pacific’s brands under one roof: Hera, IOPE, Primera, Hanyul, Aestura, Vitalbeautie, Innisfree, Illiyoon and many more. It’s a great stop for a curated cross-section of Amore pacific’s brands, with new launches often appearing here first.
They also have custom make-up stations, but they book out almost immediately each month.
Chicor
The actual Sephora of Korea
Chicor is actually Shinsegae’s premium multi-brand beauty concept, often described as Korea’s Sephora, though with a distinctly curated, editorial sensibility.
Chicor carries global labels with a emphasis on more niche K-beauty as well as western K-beauty brands like Tirtir or Skin 1004.
Visit for the high quality niche labels and a broader range for makeup, body, and haircare that you don’t often see on socials.
Hemeko
Indie K-Beauty
HEMEKO is a K‑beauty “convenience-store” known for its indie, under-the-radar brands. It has become a favorite thanks to its carefully curated selection of niche Korean labels for makeup, haircare, and fragrance.
Brands like AOU, Anaze, A.chi, Heveblue, HESUL, and other emerging lines you won’t easily find in mass retailers.
Want to know more?
If you’d like to have a real-talk convo including more insights built from our team in Seoul, reach out for a Docent Consultation.
