Skincare to Buy in Seoul 2025-2026

This year I did something crazy – I bought a six-month supply of skincare from Daiso.

For more than a year I’ve been hearing so many good things about cosmetic products you can buy from Daiso – Daiso being a large franchise where I used to buy household items like towel hangers and slippers.

I initially thought, ‘I am not going to use skincare products from a store that sells cleaning brushes and use them on my face, what if my skin breaks out?’. I could not risk my skin over price I thought.. But this time I gave it a try when I went to visit South Korea: my mom and my best friend kept recommending it, and I learned the companies behind the cosmetic products which shocked me. Most importantly, the price was so accessible I had nothing to lose!

I am going to give you a deep dive into the product review, price, and the company details which I read before I put them on my face.

The top 4 products I want to recommend from skincare routines are:

• Madeca21 Teca Toning Capsule Serum (30ml) DongKook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd– 5000 KRW
• Dermablock Daily Sun Cream (35ml) CMSLAB – 5000 KRW
• Retinol series Boncept fromo Tony Moly
  • Toner (135ml) – 5000 KRW
  • Serum (30ml) – 5000 KRW
  • Cream (50ml) – 5000 KRW
  • Eye Cream (15ml) – 5000 KRW

ABSOLUTE FAVORITE

1. Madeca21 Teca Toning Capsule Serum (30ml) DongKook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd– 5000 KRW

What made me comfortable buying this product was the company behind it. They developed the infamous best-selling Centellian 24 Medeca cream series also sold at Olive Young.

I bought this when I was having a lot of breakouts from travelling, jet lag and stress — and the morning after I used the serum, I felt my skin absolutely rejuvenated. I now use it when my skin feels dull, feeling dry and tired. I wish I brought more, next time I will definitely stock up on this guy.

Daily Must Have

2. Dermablock Daily Sun Cream (35ml) CMSLAB – 5000 KRW

This guy with SPF 50+ is the perfect size to carry (in your purse or pouches without weighing you down). I also love this one because the texture is perfect to layer without making the makeup greasy and shiny. I also gained my confidence in purchasing this product because I learned it is from the brand CMS LAB which also developed the infamous Cell Fusion C sunscreen. This guy is just much more affordable and light product with daily protection against UVA and UVB rays!

Must Haves for 30s

3. Retinol series Boncept fromo Tony Moly

Eye Cream (15ml) – 5000 KRW / Toner (135ml) – 5000 KRW / Serum (30ml) – 5000 KRW / Cream (50ml) – 5000 KRW

They say starting retinol in your 30s will help slow down the ageing process. I looked at so many products and brands and this line was the most affordable set I could find. I use them at night, only 2-3 times a week.

Overall, I was able to buy all the products mentioned for 30,000 KRW, which is about €17.20. The materials of packagings were plastic, but it helped me to carry them back in luggage (less likely to break).

I can highly recommend the products for anyone who has my skin type (dry and slightly oily t-zone with sensitivity to presevatives). Of course, I cannot guarantee they will have the same effect on you, but if you are travelling to South Korea, they are affordable to try without spending hundreds of dollars.

I will continue to share more make-ups and masks! To be continued..