Korean Pharmacies: The New K-Beauty Hotspot for Must-Buy Skincare top 10

Foreign Tourists Flock to Korean Pharmacies

South Korea’s local pharmacies have unexpectedly become K-beauty shopping meccas for foreign tourists. In Seoul’s popular districts like Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Hongdae, it’s now common to see crowds of overseas visitors lining the aisles of pharmacies in search of skincare treasures. One Myeongdong pharmacist noted that almost 90% of his customers are foreigners, many armed with screenshots of product names they found on social media. At a pharmacy in Hongdae, for example, tourists were spotted huddling around a skincare display with smartphones in hand, meticulously checking product info and showing saved photos to staff while hunting for regenerative creams and ointments . This is not a typical medicine run – it’s the new face of K-beauty tourism, and it’s exploding across Seoul.

Driving this shift is a mix of medical tourism and social media hype. Many visitors fly to Korea for cosmetic dermatology procedures, then head straight to nearby pharmacies as the next step in their beauty itinerary . Rather than hitting duty-free shops or department store cosmetics sections, these travelers are seeking out pharmacies known for their “cosmeceuticals” – pharmaceutical-grade skincare products. Pharmacies in major shopping areas have adapted quickly: store signs advertise “TAX FREE” shopping, product labels come in multiple languages, and some pharmacies even offer on-site tax refund kiosks and currency exchange machines to cater to international shoppers . The appeal is obvious – many of these products are cheaper than mainstream beauty stores like Olive Young and are perceived as more effective, giving tourists high value for money .

Social Media Buzz: “Must-Buy” Pharmacy Cosmetics

Another big driver of this trend is social media buzz. On TikTok and Instagram, one can find countless videos titled “Korea Travel: Must-Buy Products at the Pharmacy” where influencers showcase their Korean pharmacy hauls. Similarly, Chinese users on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) eagerly share photos of baskets overflowing with ointments and creams they scored in Seoul, accompanied by rave reviews. These posts often emphasize that Korean pharmacy items are affordable and great for post-treatment care (for example, applying after a skin laser or facial). Shoppers proudly post their multi-tube purchases as a badge of “yakguk (pharmacy) shopping” success. Word-of-mouth on social networks has effectively turned items like pimple patches, scar gels, and vitamin creams into souvenir wishlist items for travelers.

The viral nature of this “pharmacy beauty” craze cannot be overstated. Social media testimonials praise how these products help with everything from calming acne flare-ups to brightening pigmentation – all at a fraction of the cost overseas. One influencer’s TikTok video about a Korean skin regeneration cream (Rejuvenex) collected over 40,000 likes and saves, and promptly caused the product to sell out nationwide . On TikTok, the hashtag #KoreaGlowUp has been trending, featuring dramatic before-and-after clips of people’s skin improving after time in Korea. In one viral video, a woman compared her face after one month in Korea versus five years later – the clip racked up 2.2 million views. Another popular video titled “What’s in the water in Korea?” by a male creator has over 5.5 million views, with viewers flooding the comments: “Drop your skincare routine!” and “I need a plane ticket to Korea ASAP.” Clearly, the world is getting the message that Korean pharmacies hold the secrets to glowing skin.

Must-Have Pharmacy Products Driving the Craze

Some of the star products fueling this pharmacy skincare frenzy have developed near cult followings. These over-the-counter “yakguk essentials,” often unavailable in ordinary cosmetic shops, are prized for their potent ingredients and clinical effectiveness. Here are a few of the must-buy Korean pharmacy products that visitors are sweeping off shelves:
• Noscarna Gel: A silicone-based scar treatment gel used for fading acne scars, surgical scars, and keloids. This medicated gel contains ingredients like heparin and allantoin to reduce inflammation and promote healing. It’s one of the best-selling pharmacy creams – in fact, Dong-A Pharmaceutical’s Noscarna Gel generated ₩20.9 billion in sales last year, up 22% from the previous year , as scar-conscious shoppers (locals and tourists alike) snapped it up.
• Acnon Cream: A viral acne treatment cream that became a TikTok sensation for its ability to calm breakouts. Formulated with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agents, Acnon is often compared to Japan’s popular Lion Pair acne cream. Its popularity is backed by numbers: first-quarter sales of Acnon Cream jumped 62%, reaching ₩9.4 billion . Visitors in Asian tourist groups frequently buy this in bulk to share with friends back home for blemish emergencies.
• Melatoning Cream: A pigmentation-correcting cream designed to lighten dark spots, melasma, and acne marks. Melatoning (as its name suggests) helps “tone” down melanin. It has won praise as an affordable alternative to high-end brightening serums. Last year it recorded ₩11.6 billion in sales (a 27% year-on-year increase) , reflecting its surging demand. Many beauty vloggers swear by Melatoning cream for maintaining Korea’s famed “clear complexion” look.
• Rejuvenex (PDRN Cream): A skin-regenerating cream infused with salmon DNA (polydeoxyribonucleotide, a.k.a. PDRN) – a ingredient known for aiding skin repair and post-procedure recovery. Rejuvenex, made by PharmaResearch, achieved cult status after social media exposure; one video review by an influencer with 880K followers went viral and caused nationwide sell-outs . Tourists often scour multiple pharmacies to find this cream, which they’ve heard can help achieve that coveted dewy “Korean glow.” (It’s not unusual to hear of visitors checking 10+ shops to snag a tube of Rejuvenex!)

These are just a few examples – other honorable mentions include Aclean gel (a salicylic acid gel for unclogging pores), Clearteen acne solution, and various vitamin C and niacinamide creams sold only behind pharmacy counters. The common thread is that these products are highly functional: they target specific skin issues like acne, scars, pigmentation or hydration with pharmacist-approved formulas. It’s skincare with a dash of pharmaceutical rigor, which greatly appeals to consumers seeking results over gimmicks.

Why Pharmacies? Value and Trust in “Cosmeceuticals”

What makes Korean pharmacies so attractive compared to regular beauty stores? Experts say it comes down to trust and effectiveness. Pharmacies offer “cosmeceutical” products – dermatologist-recommended formulations that bridge cosmetics and medicine. Tourists perceive these items as professional grade and science-backed. “Visiting a pharmacy after getting treatment at a nearby dermatology clinic has become a standard course for foreign tourists,” notes pharmacist Kim In-young, who has seen a huge uptick in foreign customers. “They’re popular because they’re cheaper than Olive Young while being seen as more effective,” she explained . Indeed, major pharmacies in Seoul now stock everything from prescription-strength pimple creams to advanced wound-healing ointments that you’d seldom find in a duty-free shop.

Another factor is language and service. Unlike the intimidating image of an old-style apothecary, Seoul’s tourist-frequented pharmacies are very welcoming. Many have staff who speak basic English or Mandarin, and they provide leaflets or shelf tags with product descriptions in English, Chinese, and Japanese. Features like digital price displays, self-service tax refund kiosks, and even unmanned currency exchange machines create a hassle-free shopping experience tailored to foreigners . This level of convenience often outshines the experience at cosmetic boutiques, especially for visitors who may have specific skin concerns post-procedure.

Perhaps most importantly, K-beauty’s global reputation for quality sets the stage. “In the past, Koreans returning from Europe would stock up on French pharmacy creams; now we’re seeing the reverse phenomenon,” one industry insider observed. The sight of foreigners hunting down acne patches and scar gels in Seoul’s pharmacies mirrors how Koreans once flocked to famous pharmacies in Paris or Florence . This role reversal underscores how strongly Korean skincare is trusted. The image of Koreans’ flawless skin has become symbolic – if Koreans use these pharmacy products in their daily routines, many visitors believe they must work wonders. As Prof. Lee Eun-hee of Inha University explains, K-beauty has earned a broad trustworthiness and a “Korean skin = healthy skin” association internationally. Moreover, the sheer variety of solutions available – whether for acne, pigmentation, wrinkles, or pores – means tourists can find answers to virtually any skincare need, boosting their satisfaction . In short, Korean pharmacies perfectly embody the fusion of functionality and professional expertise that global shoppers now crave from K-beauty.

The “Korea Glow-Up” Boom in Numbers

What started as social media buzz is now reflected in hard numbers. Beauty tourism in Korea is booming like never before. According to the Seoul Tourism Organization, foreign visitors spent approximately ₩364 billion on beauty services in 2024, a whopping 231% increase compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic levels). This includes spending on skincare clinics, spas, and related shopping – much of it concentrated in Seoul’s cosmetic hubs. Likewise, government data show that a record 1.17 million foreign patients traveled to South Korea for medical treatment in 2024, surpassing the 1-million mark for the first time . Notably, over half of these medical tourists sought dermatology treatments (for skincare, laser therapy, etc.), far outnumbering those who came for plastic surgery . In fact, 2024 was the first year that foreign spending on skin-focused procedures exceeded spending on cosmetic surgery   – a remarkable shift that highlights the rise of the “skin-first” approach to beauty.

This trend has even birthed the buzzword “Korea Glow Up” to describe the transformative effect many visitors experience. Foreign beauty enthusiasts now list “K-beauty pilgrimage” as a top reason to visit Korea, alongside K-pop concerts and street food. The country’s competitive edge in the beauty industry, combined with a culture that normalizes skincare and self-care, has made Korea the place where people believe they can dramatically improve their looks. As one overseas fan joked, “I’m convinced Korean water has magic in it!” – only half in jest. From enjoying affordable laser facials to raiding pharmacies for serums, travelers are leveraging every opportunity to achieve their personal glow-up in Korea.

The economic impact is evident as well. Major Korean pharma-cosmetic companies are reporting record-breaking sales thanks to foreign demand. For example, Dong-A Pharmaceutical’s trio of skin treatment products (acne, scar, and pigment creams) together topped ₩50 billion (≈$38 million) in annual sales , boosted significantly by tourist purchases. Korea’s overall cosmetic exports hit an all-time high too, reaching $5.5 billion in the first half of 2025  as K-beauty maintains its spot as the world’s third-largest cosmetics exporter. In the US, Korean cosmetics have even outsold French brands, now ranking #1 by export volume . All this points to an unmistakable “Korean glow-up economy” forming around the globe.

Conclusion: A New Era of K-Beauty Tourism

In summary, the humble Korean “yakguk” (pharmacy) has transformed into a must-visit destination for beauty aficionados worldwide. What was once the domain of local moms picking up cold medicine is now a hotspot where Singaporean teens hunt for pimple creams and European travelers seek advanced regeneration ointments. Through the power of social media and the proven efficacy of its products, Korea has redefined how beauty products are marketed and obtained – blending medical credibility with cosmetic allure. As a cultural phenomenon, it’s comparable to the past craze of French pharmacy finds, but turbo-charged by K-pop, K-drama, and global connectivity.

For anyone planning a trip to Seoul, it might be wise to leave extra room in your suitcase. Chances are you’ll join the many visitors making a bee-line to the nearest pharmacy, armed with an SNS wishlist of “holy grail” creams and lotions. And when you return home with your haul of Korean pharmacy essentials, you’ll not only have souvenirs – you just might have the secret to that coveted K-beauty glow. Happy yakguk shopping!

Sources: Foreign tourists flocking to Korean pharmacies  ; Pharmacy tourism trend and sales figures  ; Expert and industry insights on K-beauty’s global impact ; BoF – Korea’s medical tourism stats .