Almost every foreign visitor to Korea stops by Olive Young to shop. But with Olive Young now expanding overseas, including the U.S., I started to wonder: is it still worth making a special stop at Olive Young when you travel to Korea? So I compared Olive Young in the U.S., which is sold as a shop-in-shop inside Sephora, with Olive Young in Korea.
Yes, Olive Young in Korea is still worth a visit, even now that it’s at Sephora in the U.S. Sephora carries a small, proven selection of K-beauty skincare. Korean stores carry far more, at more price points, with sales most weeks. The best use of your time is skincare, masks, food and other products you can’t easily find abroad. I’d skip buying color makeup like cushion foundation before you know your shade.
Quick answer
- Since August 20, 2026, Sephora has run an “Olive Young K-Beauty Edit” with about 150 products from 19 brands in roughly 580 U.S. stores, plus sephora.com
- It’s a curated shelf of well-known, long-popular products, so it’s great for trying the classics
- Korean stores carry a much wider range, from budget to premium, and run sales and 1+1 deals all year
- Skincare, masks, food and everyday items are the best things to shop for in Korea
- Prices in Korea were usually lower in my check, but range and discovery are the bigger reasons to go
What Olive Young at Sephora actually is
In most of the U.S., Olive Young isn’t a standalone store. You’ll find a dedicated Olive Young section inside Sephora stores, plus sephora.com.
The shelf is curated by Olive Young, which picked 19 Korean brands based on sales performance, popularity and trends in Korea. It’s skincare-focused, with brands like Abib, Torriden, Rejuran and Banila Co. Olive Young plans to refresh the lineup twice a year. In other words, it’s the proven bestsellers.
Olive Young’s only standalone U.S. store is in Pasadena, California. It carries about 400 brands, but for most U.S. shoppers, Sephora is still the main way to reach Olive Young.
What you get in Korea that Sephora doesn’t have
Far more choice. Olive Young runs more than 1,300 stores in Korea (see my sale and store guide). A flagship carries hundreds of brands, so you can compare several versions of the same product type, not just one or two.
Every price range. Sephora’s edit leans toward well-known brands. In Korea you’ll also find small indie brands and inexpensive everyday basics on the same shelf as the famous names.
Skincare you can test and compare. Masks, toners, serums, creams and sunscreens are where the range pays off. Masks in particular are sold individually, in small packs and in large boxes, so you can try several without committing to a full set.
Food, wellness and everyday items. Olive Young also sells food and wellness products, plus body care, hair care and daily goods. Most of this won’t be on a Sephora shelf in the U.S.
Trends before they travel. The stores rotate trending products fast. By the time something reaches Sephora, it’s often been on Korean shelves for a while.
What to be careful with: color makeup
Cushion foundation, tints and other color products depend on your skin tone. The shade ranges can be narrow, and a shade that looks right on the shelf may not match you in daylight. My advice is to treat color makeup as optional, not the main reason for your trip. If you do want a cushion or foundation, read my post on Korean foundation shade numbers first.
When Sephora is enough
Korea isn’t always the better choice. If you only want one or two proven products, like a hydrating serum or a sunscreen, Sephora is easier. You can try it in the store, return it if it doesn’t suit you, and skip packing it in your suitcase. For sunscreen specifically, my post on Korean sunscreen vs the U.S. version explains why some people still prefer buying in Seoul.
What’s cheaper, and by how much
In my check of five popular products on Sephora U.S., four cost about 1.7x to 2.7x more per ml or gram than the Korean sale or set price. Two examples (at about ₩1,350 per US$1):
- Abib Heartleaf TECA Serum (Olive Young K-Beauty Edit): $32 at Sephora, versus ₩22,400 for a 70ml set in Korea
- Beauty of Joseon sunscreen (regular Sephora range): $18 for 50ml, versus ₩24,000 for a 100ml 2-pack in Korea
Korean bundles and sales are a big part of the gap (see my Olive Young sale guide). As a visitor, you can also take the VAT off at the register. On an ₩80,000 purchase, expect roughly ₩5,000 to ₩6,000 off with your physical passport (see my tax refund guide). U.S. prices above don’t include sales tax. Five products is a small sample, so treat this as a snapshot, not a rule.
What to buy where
| Category | Sephora (U.S.) | Olive Young (Korea) |
|---|---|---|
| A few proven skincare classics | Good enough | Cheaper |
| Masks, toners, sheet packs | Limited | Worth the trip |
| Wide range, new and indie brands | Small | Worth the trip |
| Food, wellness, everyday items | Not available | Worth the trip |
| Cushion foundation and color makeup | Easier to return | Check your shade first |
Practical tips
- Go with a short list of what you already like, then use the rest of your time to explore
- Visit a weekday morning at a flagship to avoid crowds (see my sale guide)
- Bring your physical passport for the instant tax refund
- Skip color makeup unless you’ve checked the shade
- Some Korean sets are limited editions, so the formula or packaging may differ from the U.S. version
FAQ
Is Olive Young at Sephora the same as Olive Young in Korea?
No. The Sephora section is a curated edit of about 150 products from 19 brands, mostly skincare. Korean stores carry a much wider range.
Is it worth going to Olive Young in Korea if I can buy it at Sephora?
Yes, if you want to explore. The range, price levels, sales, masks and food items are the main reasons. If you only want one or two bestsellers, Sephora is fine.
Does Olive Young have its own stores in the U.S.?
Mostly not yet. In most places, Olive Young products are sold in a dedicated section inside Sephora stores and on sephora.com. The first standalone U.S. store is in Pasadena, California.
Should I buy cushion foundation at Olive Young in Korea?
Only if you’re sure of your shade. Color products depend on your skin tone, so skincare is the safer buy.
This guide shares my own shopping experience and general information. Product availability, prices and promotions change often, so check current details before you buy.
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