Even better than Olive Young? The warehouse-style health pharmacy in Seoul you have to visit next time, plus a full reveal of the must-buy list
A pharmacy on museum scale could only exist in Korea!
Do you ever feel like your trips to drugstores in Korea are always rushed – you grab what you need and leave? Tucked away in Seoul’s Gangnam district is a fascinating “health museum” pharmacy that turns the otherwise mundane experience of buying medicine into a restorative journey toward mind-body balance. Today, we’re taking you through this multi-purpose space and sharing 6 insider-approved finds!
- Related reading: The secret to hydrated skin: These popular, much-talked-about face creams are definitely worth trying if you love beauty!
Gangnam Optima Wellness Museum: Your Healthy-Living Playground
The moment you step into Optima Wellness Museum, you may wonder whether you’ve wandered into a lifestyle boutique by mistake. The bright, spacious 150-pyeong space feels like an art museum, with more than 3,000 carefully selected products neatly displayed, from medicine and supplements to beauty products and everyday essentials. Everything is clearly categorized and labeled in Chinese, making it easy to shop even if you’re indecisive.
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Even more thoughtfully, the store offers free one-on-one consultations with pharmacists and a self-service health-check area, where you can get advice based on your individual needs. The B1 level even has a discount section, a pet section, and an everyday-essentials area, making it a health-supply stop where you can take good care of yourself and your family.
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6 Must-Buy Picks at Optima Wellness Museum
With such a wide selection of products, what harder-to-find items are worth trying? Let’s take a look!
1. 23yearsold Houttuynia Cordata Concealer
Designed for sensitive skin, this concealer contains up to 60,000 ppm of houttuynia cordata to help soothe redness while covering dark circles and blemishes. Its lightweight, skin-hugging texture stays put all day without feeling heavy or turning patchy, keeping your makeup and skin looking balanced.
2. Dr. Lienjang 49 Whitening Mask
This signature mask from a popular Gangnam beauty clinic is saturated with 49 ml of essence per sheet, so it won’t dry out even if you leave it on for a while. Its key ingredient, milk exosomes, helps improve dullness and uneven skin tone. It’s especially suitable after cosmetic procedures or whenever you’re seeking clear, dewy skin, and delivers plenty of moisture.
3. Customized Daily Supplements
Want daily supplements that suit your needs? Visit the professional pharmacists on the B1 level for a consultation. Afterward, they’ll recommend the supplements you need and package them into individual sachets for easy daily use – such a thoughtful touch!
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4. Juice-Up Portable Juices
A secret weapon Korean women use to maintain a lean figure! The organic pumpkin juice is especially recommended: it contains 19 types of probiotics to support regular digestion and help reduce water retention, which can be especially helpful for puffiness after meals or when you wake up. Other flavors make it easy to get your daily vitamins, and they’re delicious without feeling heavy.
5. VT Scalp Serum
PDRN, one of today’s most popular ingredients, can also be used to care for scalp health. This serum combines PDRN with a microneedling concept: apply it directly to the roots and massage it in to help strengthen the scalp and support follicle health. Choose from different strengths based on your needs for an intensive scalp treatment.
6. Lemona Vitamin Gummies
Hate swallowing pills? These vitamin gummies are the answer. Available in cute peach and lemon flavors, they taste like regular gummies while making it easy to supplement a range of vitamins. Keep a pack in your bag to top up your nutrients anytime and make staying healthy feel stress-free.
Korean Address
Optima Wellness Museum
B1 and 1F, 42 Gangnam-daero 102-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
After browsing the whole store, you’ll realize that managing your health can be this fun and easy. On your next trip to Korea, be sure to set aside some time for this space – it may become the most relaxing stop on your trip.
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