Korean Pharmacy Must-Buys: A Traveler's Guide to Specialized Ointments

K-medical | 2026-01-06 19:20:59

[mediK / HEALTH IN NEWS] Stand in front of the ointment section in a Korean pharmacy, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Rows upon rows of tubes stare back at you, each promising specialized care for everything from a minor scrape to lingering scars. Foreign visitors often joke that it feels more like stepping into a high-end cosmetics boutique than a drugstore.

This abundance isn't mere overconsumption. On average, Korean households keep five to ten different ointments on hand as everyday essentials. It's a reflection of a distinctive self-care culture: tailored treatment for specific body parts and symptoms. For minor skin issues, many Koreans bypass the doctor's office entirely, heading straight to the neighborhood pharmacy for a quick consultation with the pharmacist.

Korean Pharmacy Must-Buys: A Traveler's Guide to Specialized Ointments

Why Korean Pharmacy Culture Stands Apart

Foreign visits to domestic pharmacies accounted for a significant portion of medical spending in recent years, with the hashtag #Koreanpharmacy racking up hundreds of thousands of views on social media.

The hallmark of Korean ointments is their specialization. In many Western countries, one all-purpose antibiotic cream handles most wounds. In Korea, the approach is phased: an antibiotic ointment for the initial stage, a regenerative formula during healing, and a dedicated scar treatment once the skin begins to mend. This staged system rests on solid medical principles—the skin's needs evolve as it repairs itself.

Accessibility plays a big role too. Most ointments are available over the counter after a brief chat with the pharmacist, sparing you the hassle of appointments and long waits at clinics. Finally, there's an emphasis on reliability: everything sold in Korean pharmacies meets strict pharmaceutical standards, backed by clinical evidence. This sets them apart from countries where the line between cosmetics and medicine can blur.

For light abrasions or shallow cuts, ointments are recommended. If there's heavy oozing or bleeding, a moist healing bandage—or a trip to the doctor—may be better.

Your Essential Korean Pharmacy Ointment List

Photo description: Dongwha Pharm 'Fucidin Ointment'

1. Fucidin (후시딘)

What: Antibiotic ointment (sodium fusidate)
When: Early wound stage (days 0–7), for cuts, scrapes, or immediate post-burn care
Price: ₩4,500–6,000 ($3.20–4.30 USD) for 5–10g
How to Use: Clean the area first, then apply a thin layer once or twice daily; limit to no more than seven days
Note: Avoid the face; short-term use helps prevent antibiotic resistance

Photo description: Dongkook Pharm 'Madecassol'

2. Madecassol (마데카솔)

What: Centella asiatica extract (from the tiger grass plant)
When: Healing phase (after day 7), to calm the skin and prevent scarring
Price: ₩5,500–8,000 ($3.90–5.70 USD) for 10g
How to Use: Apply twice daily; consistent use for 2–4 weeks yields best results
Pharmacist tip: Pairing with oral vitamin C can boost collagen production by up to 50 percent

Photo description: Dong-A Pharm 'Noscarna Gel'

3. Noscarna Gel (노스카나 겔)

What: Heparin and allantoin complex
When: Established scars, keloids, post-surgical marks, or acne scarring
Price: ₩18,000–22,000 ($12.80–15.70 USD) for 20g
How to Use: Apply two to three times daily; continue for at least four weeks

Photo description: Dong-A Pharm 'Acnon Cream'

4. Acnon Cream (애크논 크림)

What: Ibuprofen piconol compound
When: Inflamed acne, red bumps, or whiteheads
Price: ₩10,000–15,000 ($7.10–10.70 USD)
How to Use: Spot-apply only; always follow morning use with sunscreen

Photo description: PharmaResearch 'Rejuvenex Cream'

5. Rejuvenex Cream (리쥬비넥스 크림)

What: PDRN (salmon-derived DNA fragments), often called the "topical salmon injection"
When: Post-procedure recovery, skin regeneration, or anti-aging
Price: ₩30,000–50,000 ($21.40–35.70 USD)
Note: It's gained a cult following on TikTok, even among Hollywood insiders
Korean pharmacy culture, K-beauty essentials, South Korea travel tips, wound care ointments, over-the-counter skincare Korea
Headline: Why Korean Pharmacies Are a Must-Visit for Travelers Seeking Specialized Skin Ointments

Oh Ha Eun medi·K TEAM press@themedik.kr

K-Culture&Travel

K-Culture & Travel

Why Do Koreans Grill Pork Belly on Heavy Fine Dust Days?

On hazy days in Seoul, when the air turns thick with fine dust carried in from distant deserts and industrial zones, many Koreans head straight for the grill. It's a ritual as comforting as it is quirky: sizzling strips of samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly, 삼겹살), wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic, kimchi, and a splash of sesame oil. The belief persists that this beloved cut of pork somehow counters the pollution clinging to the lungs. Sales of pork belly have long spiked during severe air quality alerts, a pattern observed for years whenever the skies grow heavy.1. The Roots of a Persiste

K-Culture & Travel

An Hour from Seoul, History and Fairy Tales Share the Same Incheon Hillside

Just an hour from the neon pulse of Seoul, in the port city of Incheon’s Jung-gu district, two worlds sit side by side on the same hillside, as if history and fairy tale decided to become neighbors.On one flank, the red-brick banks and customs houses of the late-nineteenth-century treaty port still stand, their windows framing the same harbor view they did when Incheon was Joseon Korea’s reluctant doorway to the world. On the other, narrow alleys explode with color—murals of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Snow White’s apple, Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole. This is the Open Port Cultural Di

K-Culture & Travel

How to Ride Seoul’s Subways Like a Local: T-money, Etiquette, and Rush-Hour Hacks

South Korea’s subway system is a marvel of precision, cleanliness, and efficiency—one of the world’s best urban transit networks. From Seoul’s sprawling web to the interconnected lines in Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju, the trains are an indispensable lifeline for travelers. Yet for foreigners, everything from buying a fare card to observing unspoken etiquette can feel daunting. This guide distills insider tips so you can ride like a Seoulite.1. Getting Your Transport CardThe workhorse is the T-money card.You can pick one up at any convenience store, subway station, or Incheon International Air

K-Culture & Travel

Why the National Museum of Korea Should Top Every Seoul Itinerary

If you only have time for one museum in Seoul, make it the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관). Tucked beside the sprawling Yongsan Family Park in the heart of the capital, this serene, low-slung complex—its reflecting pools and graceful roofs echoing the palaces of old—holds the finest single collection of Korean art and artifacts anywhere on earth.Why it belongs on every itinerarySix permanent galleries trace the arc of Korean civilization from the Paleolithic to the present day, displaying some 12,000 objects in a layout that feels almost cinematic. You walk through time: past the d

Headlines

Doctors & Hospitals

medi·K is a Korean medical information platform provided by Health in News, Korea's leading medical news media.

Media Introduction | Advertising Partnership

Contact us
Email : press@themedik.kr

All content on medi·K is protected by copyright. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of any material without permission from Health in News is strictly prohibited. © medi·K, All Rights Reserved.