Are you planning a trip to Seoul? If so, Olive Young is likely at the top of your itinerary. But walking into a store with thousands of products can be overwhelming. To help you shop like a local, we’ve analyzed the results of the 2025 Olive Young Awards—the “Oscars of K-Beauty”—released just days ago in mid-December 2025.
P.S. Don’t forget to check the latest 2025 Tax Refund guide at the end of this post to save even more on your shopping!
This list features the newly crowned #1 winners in categories like Sun Care, Hair Care, and Anti-Aging, ensuring you bring home the most effective, trend-setting products currently taking Seoul by storm.
🏆 2025 Olive Young Award Winners: The New “Holy Grails”
1. [Best Ampoule Winner] REJURAN Healer Turnover Ampoule Dual Effect
- Price: Approx. ₩40,000+ (Approx. $27 – $32 depending on sets)
- The Hype: 2025 is the year of “Slow-Aging” in Korea. This ampoule uses c-PDRN (Salmon DNA), the same core ingredient used in Korea’s famous “Rejuran” clinic injections, allowing you to get professional-grade results at home.
- Key Benefits:
- Visibly improves skin elasticity and reduces fine lines within weeks.
- Features a proprietary delivery system that is 1/670th the size of a pore for deep penetration.
- Perfect as a premium gift or a treat for yourself to achieve that firm, youthful “Glass Skin”.
- Real Reviews:
- 👍 “I was scared of needles at Korean clinics, so I tried this instead. My skin feels so much more resilient!” / “It’s the ultimate ‘glow-up’ in a bottle.”
- 👎 “The texture is rich, so it’s best suited for your nighttime routine.”
- Product Link
2. [Best Sun Care Winner] ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
- Price: Approx. ₩24,000 (Approx. $14.30)
- The Hype: This has been the undisputed #1 sunscreen in Korea for years, and it reclaimed its throne in the 2025 Awards. It’s so popular that it’s frequently sold out in major tourist areas like Myeongdong.
- Key Benefits:
- A moisture-rich formula that feels exactly like a lightweight daily lotion—no white cast, no stickiness.
- Infused with Birch Sap from Inje to hydrate and soothe the skin while providing SPF 50+ PA++++ protection.
- Reef-Safe and vegan-certified, making it a favorite for eco-conscious travelers.
- Real Reviews:
- 👍 “I forgot I was wearing sunscreen! It sits perfectly under my makeup without pilling.” / “I buy five of these every time I visit Seoul.”
- 👎 “If you have extremely oily skin, you might want to set it with a light powder.”
- Product Link
3. [Best Hair Care Winner] UNOVE Deep Damage Treatment EX
- Price: Approx. ₩20,000+ (Jumbo sets available, Approx. $14 – $18)
- The Hype: If you’ve wondered how Korean women maintain such silky hair despite frequent styling, this is their secret. It dominated the Hair Care category at the 2025 Awards for its instant results.
- Key Benefits:
- Packed with 3,000% protein to fill in the gaps of damaged hair cuticles.
- Provides a professional salon-clinic effect in just 5 minutes at home.
- A signature “Tender Bloom” scent created by master perfumers that lasts all day.
- Real Reviews:
- 👍 “My bleached hair finally feels soft again. This is a miracle in a tube!” / “People always ask what perfume I’m wearing when I use this.”
- 👎 “The formula is very thick, so make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid weighing down thin hair.”
- Product Link
4. [Clean Beauty Star] SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
- Price: Approx. ₩15,000 – ₩20,000 (Approx. $10 – $14)
- The Hype: After becoming a #1 bestseller on Amazon in North America, this product became a “Reverse Hit” in Korea. It’s highly recommended for those who prefer minimalist, clean skincare.
- Key Benefits:
- Made with 100% Centella Asiatica extract from Madagascar—no unnecessary fillers.
- Instantly calms redness, irritation, and acne-prone skin.
- A water-like texture that absorbs instantly, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Real Reviews:
- 👍 “The only thing that calms my skin after a long flight.” / “Simple, effective, and incredibly soothing.”
- 👎 “It’s very mild, so don’t expect it to fix deep wrinkles or heavy pigmentation.”
- Product Link
5. [Viral Sensation] WHIPPED Vegan Pack Cleanser
- Price: Approx. ₩22,000 (Approx. $14.85)
- The Hype: This was the most viral brand in Seongsu-dong (Seoul’s trendiest neighborhood) throughout late 2025. It’s a 3-in-1 product: a mask pack, a cleanser, and a skin treatment.
- Key Benefits:
- A unique whipped cream texture that makes your daily cleansing routine feel like a spa session.
- Formulated with traditional Korean ingredients like Mugwort, Yuzu, and Fig.
- Beautiful packaging makes it the most “Instagrammable” gift for friends back home.
- Real Reviews:
- 👍 “It’s so fluffy! My face feels so bright and hydrated after washing.” / “I went to their flagship store in Seongsu and it was the highlight of my trip.”
- 👎 “A bit pricier than your average foam cleanser, and you have to keep the jar dry.”
- Product Link
Pro Shopping Tip: Where to Shop?📍
Avoid the massive crowds at the Myeongdong Flagship if you want a more relaxed experience.
Instead, try:
- Olive Young N Seongsu: The newly opened, largest beauty complex in Korea. It features exclusive award-winner exhibits.
- Gangnam Town: Spacious and much faster at processing Tax Refunds for foreigners.
- Insadong Branch: Features traditional Korean-style architecture—great for photos while you shop!
2025 Essential Guide: New Tax Refund Rules for Travelers💰
Did you know the minimum purchase for a Tax Refund in Korea was recently lowered to just ₩15,000? Most major Olive Young stores offer Immediate Tax Refunds, meaning you get the discount right at the register.
💳 2025 Essential Guide: New Tax Refund Rules for Travelers
If you’re visiting Korea for the first time in a while, you’ll be happy to know that the tax refund system has become significantly more traveler-friendly in 2025. Here is everything you need to know to save more on your K-beauty haul:
Pro Tip: Always carry your original passport (not a copy), as most Olive Young stores require the physical document or a valid mobile passport to process the instant discount.
Lower Minimum Purchase Threshold: The minimum spending requirement to qualify for a tax refund has been halved from ₩30,000 to just ₩15,000 per receipt. This means even small shopping trips now count toward your savings!
Instant On-Site Refunds: At major tourist hubs like Myeongdong, Seongsu, and Hongdae, you no longer need to wait until you reach the airport. Simply present your physical passport at the cashier, and the VAT will be deducted from your total immediately. It’s fast, convenient, and requires zero extra paperwork at the airport.
Increased Refund Limits: For 2025, the limit for an immediate on-site refund has been increased to ₩1,000,000 per single transaction (previously ₩500,000). You can receive up to a total of ₩5,000,000 in immediate refunds throughout your entire trip.
※ This guide is based on the 2025 Olive Young Awards results and real-time sales data from December 2025. Prices may vary based on exchange rates and in-store promotions.
Want to see what’s trending at this exact moment? Check out our real-time sales analysis:
[[Dec 2025] Top 10 Olive Young Skincare: What Koreans are REALLY Buying Right Now].