The Olive Young Best Awards 2025: Top 10 Skincare Products Translated

Quick Answer

The 2025 Olive Young Awards analyzed 180 million (1.8억) purchase transactions from July 2024 through June 2025, selecting 166 products across 40 categories — the largest dataset in the awards' history
Torriden swept 3 categories with its Dive-In Serum winning the essence/serum category for a fifth consecutive year, cementing it as K-beauty's most dominant serum franchise
Roundlab's 1025 Dokdo Toner maintained its #1 toner position, while Manyo Factory's Pure Cleansing Oil took cleansing for a fifth straight year — proving that Korean consumers reward consistency over novelty
New 2025 categories include global K-beauty performance tiers (Best Performer, Rising, Rookie) and lifestyle categories like self-beauty and oral aftercare, reflecting Olive Young's expansion beyond traditional cosmetics

What r/AsianBeauty says about the Olive Young winners

The Olive Young Best Awards translate K-beauty's purchase data into a ranked list, but r/AsianBeauty's 2.5M members are where you find the long-term verdicts. Selected verbatim user takes on this year's winners:

"I gave into the anua hype back in june, buying the heartleaf toner. It's not bad at all, but..." — r/KoreanBeauty · u/anon · 2023-10 · thread

"ATObarrier cream is as essential as food is to me. It is the only thing that helps my exceptionally sensitive dry skin." — r/AsianBeauty · u/anon · 2024-03 · thread

"This Glow serum though, glides on nicely and sinks in quickly. After almost two weeks of application, I noticed my skin has a kind of healthy glow and sheen to it." — r/AsianBeauty · u/anon · 2021-08 · thread

"Olive Young was adding Sum37's iconic secret essence to their offering at a good price." — r/AsianBeauty · u/anon · 2023-04 · thread

The Olive Young Awards winners overlap heavily with r/AsianBeauty's long-running HG threads — Aestura, Beauty of Joseon, Round Lab — but the community is more skeptical of Anua's heartleaf line than Korean sales data suggests, framing it as "fine but not transformative" relative to its hype cycle.

What the Olive Young Awards Actually Are

Source: Soko Glam

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner - Olive Young Best Award Winner Source: Round Lab Official

If you follow K-beauty from outside Korea, you have probably seen "Olive Young Best Award winner" on product listings and assumed it is one of many beauty awards. It is not. It is the award.

Olive Young (올리브영) is CJ Group's health and beauty retail chain. It operates over 1,300 stores across South Korea and dominates the offline K-beauty discovery channel for Korean consumers aged 18-39. Think Sephora, but with broader demographic reach and significantly higher foot traffic per store.

The annual Olive Young Awards (올리브영 어워즈) are not judged by editors or influencers. They are compiled from raw purchase data — 180 million transactions for the 2025 cycle (CJ뉴스룸, 2025). When a product wins an Olive Young Award, it means more Koreans bought it than any competing product in its category over a full 12-month window. For the year's Top 10 Olive Young skincare bestsellers in 2026, see our running rankings — they overlap heavily with the awards list below.

This makes it the closest thing K-beauty has to a true popularity census. Not a marketing exercise. A sales receipt tally.

For context on the ingredient analysis tools Korean consumers use alongside Olive Young rankings, see our guide to the Hwahae ingredient scoring system. Curious how this all compares to Japan's @cosme system? Our Hwahae vs @cosme: Korea vs Japan beauty rankings walks through the structural differences.

The 2025 Awards: Key Numbers

Data period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Transactions analyzed: 180 million (1.8억 건)
Total categories: 40 (up from previous years)
Products selected: 166
New categories added: Self-beauty, lifestyle, hand care, oral aftercare, plus 3 global K-beauty tiers

The expansion to 40 categories reflects two industry shifts: Olive Young's push into wellness and lifestyle products beyond skincare, and the growing global export market that now warrants its own recognition track (뷰티누리, 2025).

Top 10 Skincare Products: Full Breakdown

#1: Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum (토리든 다이브인 저분자 히알루론산 세럼)

Category: Essence/Serum — 1st Place Volume: 100ml Price: Approximately 18,000 KRW (~$13 USD)

Key Ingredients: 5 types of hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights (pentavitin, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium acetylated hyaluronate, and hyaluronic acid)

Why it won — again: This is the fifth consecutive year Torriden's Dive-In Serum has won an Olive Young Award. Five consecutive years of being the most-purchased serum in Korea's largest beauty retailer. The product's staying power comes from its molecular weight layering approach — smaller molecules penetrate deeper while larger molecules form a surface hydration film. The multi-weight HA approach also anchors the Korean glass skin ingredient stack Korean dermatologists recommend.

Torriden took home three #1 positions at the 2025 awards: essence/serum, mask pack, and lip care (이지경제, 2025). That is dominance.

Ingredient note: The "저분자" (low molecular weight) designation is meaningful — Korean cosmetic science prioritizes molecular weight as a penetration indicator. This aligns with Korean clinical research on niacinamide delivery systems that show smaller molecules achieve better dermal penetration.

#2: Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Serum Alpha (구달 청귤 비타C 잡티 케어 세럼 알파)

Category: Essence/Serum — 2nd Place Volume: 50ml

Key Ingredients: Green tangerine extract, niacinamide 5%, exosomes (엑소좀)

Why it matters: Goodal's seventh consecutive Olive Young Award. The 2025 version was reformulated with 청귤 엑소좀 (green tangerine exosomes) and 5% niacinamide — a significant upgrade. Exosomes are the hottest delivery technology in Korean skincare right now, and Goodal's inclusion signals the ingredient's move from clinical to mass-market.

For more on how Korean clinical research validates niacinamide at these concentrations, see our niacinamide Korean clinical trials article and the broader best niacinamide products in K-beauty: concentration compared.

#3: Roundlab 1025 Dokdo Toner (라운드랩 1025 독도 토너)

Category: Toner — 1st Place Volume: 500ml

Key Ingredients: Deep sea water from Ulleungdo at 1,025m depth (mineral-rich seawater), panthenol, hyaluronic acid

Why it dominates: The 1025 in the name refers to the depth (1,025 meters) from which the mineral water is sourced near Dokdo/Ulleungdo. Korean reviews consistently praise its "묽고 산뜻한 제형" (thin and refreshing texture) that avoids skin tightness despite being lightweight. It functions as a year-round daily toner across all skin types — which is rare in a market that segments heavily by season and skin type. The full toner field is mapped in our top 10 Korean essences and toners compared in 2026.

This product exemplifies the Korean formulation approach we discuss in our Korea vs. US formulation differences article: mineral-rich base waters as functional ingredients rather than filler.

#4: Bioderma Hydrabio Toner (바이오더마 하이드라비오 토너)

Category: Toner — 2nd Place (2nd consecutive year) Volume: 500ml

Key Ingredients: Aquagenium biomimetic patent, apple seed extract, niacinamide

Why a French brand wins a K-beauty award: Bioderma's consistent placement proves that Korean consumers evaluate products by ingredients and efficacy, not country of origin. The Hydrabio toner's repeat win shows that Korean shoppers will adopt non-Korean products when the formulation meets their standards.

#5: Ingredient Editor Alaska PDRN Ultra Moisturizing Barrier Cream (성분에디터 알래스카 PDRN 울트라 모이스처라이징 배리어 크림)

Category: Cream — Award Winner Volume: 50ml

Key Ingredients: PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), ceramides, panthenol

Why it matters: PDRN is arguably the biggest ingredient trend in Korean dermatology right now. This product brought clinical-grade PDRN into the Olive Young mass market at an accessible price point. The fact that a PDRN cream won an Olive Young Award signals the ingredient's transition from dermatology clinic exclusive to mainstream skincare.

For a deep dive into what PDRN is and how Korean dermatology uses it, read our PDRN ingredient guide.

#6: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum (아누아 피디알엔 히알루론산 캡슐 100 세럼)

Category: Award Selection / Rising Star

Key Ingredients: PDRN, hyaluronic acid, capsule delivery system

Why it matters: Anua's inclusion alongside Ingredient Editor confirms the PDRN wave. Two PDRN products winning awards in the same cycle is not coincidence — it is a category trend. Korean consumers are moving from centella-based barrier repair to PDRN-based skin regeneration as their primary barrier strategy.

#7: Manyo Factory Pure Cleansing Oil (마녀공장 퓨어 클렌징 오일)

Manyo Factory Pure Cleansing Oil Source: Soko Glam

Category: Cleansing — 1st Place (5th consecutive year) Volume: 200ml

Key Ingredients: Rice bran oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, vitamin E

Why five years running: Korean consumers practice double cleansing (이중세안) religiously — oil cleanser first, then water-based cleanser. Manyo Factory's cleansing oil is the undisputed champion of step one. Five consecutive years at #1 in a category with hundreds of competitors. Korean reviewers praise its emulsification speed (how quickly it breaks down into a milky wash) and its non-comedogenic profile.

#8: Neogen Dermalogy Real Ferment Micro Essence or Zeroid Intensive Cream

Category: Cream — MD's Pick Brand: Zeroid (제로이드) by Neopharm (네오팜)

Key Ingredients: MLE (Multi-Lamellar Emulsion) technology, Defensamide (디펜사마이드, patented), ceramides

Why the MD's Pick matters: Olive Young's "MD's Pick" is a separate editorial selection alongside the data-driven rankings. When the Olive Young merchandising team specifically highlights a product, it signals professional-level endorsement beyond consumer sales. Zeroid's Intensive Cream uses a patented barrier-repair compound (Defensamide) and MLE technology that mimics the skin's natural lipid structure.

#9: Biodance Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask (바이오던스 바이오 콜라겐 리얼 딥 마스크)

Category: Mask Pack — Award Selection

Key Ingredients: Low molecular weight collagen, hydrogel delivery matrix

Why it stands out: Biodance's collagen mask became a TikTok phenomenon in 2024 and the Olive Young Award confirms that Korean domestic sales matched the global hype. The product uses a dissolving collagen sheet that delivers concentrated collagen directly to the skin — a format that Korean brands pioneered and Western brands are now copying.

#10: Anua TXA Dark Spot Serum (아누아 TXA 다크 스팟 세럼)

Category: Award Selection / Trending

Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid (TXA), niacinamide, heartleaf extract (어성초)

Why it is notable: Tranexamic acid is an ingredient Korean dermatologists have used for melasma treatment for years, but its presence in a mass-market Olive Young-winning serum shows it crossing from prescription to OTC status. Combined with heartleaf extract — one of the three key Korean botanical ingredients we cover in our centella vs. mugwort vs. heartleaf comparison — this represents a potent brightening formula.

Ingredient Trends the 2025 Awards Reveal

Trend 1: PDRN Goes Mainstream

Two PDRN products winning awards in the same year confirms what Korean dermatologists have been predicting. PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), originally used in Korean injection treatments, has moved into topical skincare at Olive Young price points. This is the most significant ingredient migration from Korean dermatology to mass market since centella in 2018.

Trend 2: Exosome Delivery Technology

Goodal's reformulation with green tangerine exosomes marks the start of exosome technology in mainstream K-beauty. Exosomes are nano-scale vesicles that Korean cosmetic researchers use to improve ingredient delivery through the skin barrier. Expect this technology to proliferate through 2026.

Trend 3: Multi-Weight Hyaluronic Acid

Torriden's continued dominance shows that Korean consumers have moved beyond "hyaluronic acid" as a single ingredient. They now evaluate the molecular weight profile — how many sizes of HA are in the formula. Five-weight HA systems like Torriden's are the current standard.

Trend 4: Year-Round Basics Over Seasonal Products

The biggest winners — Roundlab Dokdo Toner, Manyo Cleansing Oil, Torriden Dive-In — are all four-season daily-use products. Korean consumers are consolidating their routines around reliable staples rather than rotating products seasonally. This contradicts the Western narrative that K-beauty requires a 12-step routine.

Trend 5: Ingredient Transparency Drives Purchases

Products with clear ingredient communication — Ingredient Editor literally puts "성분" (ingredient) in its brand name — continue to gain share. Korean consumers on platforms like Hwahae are checking ingredient lists before purchasing, and brands that make their formulation logic transparent are winning.

How the Awards Work: Methodology

The Olive Young Awards are not a typical beauty award. Here is the actual methodology:

Data collection: All purchase transactions across 1,300+ Olive Young stores and the online mall are aggregated for 12 months (July to June)
Category ranking: Products are ranked by total units sold within each category
Trend analysis: The Olive Young merchandising team overlays trend data to identify "Rising Star" and "Rookie" selections
MD's Pick: Editorial team selects standout products that may not have the highest volume but represent innovation or professional-grade quality
Global categories: New in 2025, analyzing export and international sales data separately

This means the winners are determined by what Korean consumers actually purchased with their own money — not by PR samples, influencer partnerships, or jury votes.

What Korean Consumers Say: Common Themes

Analyzing Korean reviews on Olive Young, Hwahae, and Glowpick for the winning products reveals consistent themes:

"자극 없이" (without irritation): The most-cited positive attribute across all winning skincare products
"흡수가 빠른" (fast absorption): Korean consumers prioritize how quickly a product sinks in
"끈적이지 않는" (not sticky): Texture complaints are the fastest way to kill a product's ranking
"레이어링 가능" (can be layered): Products that work well in a multi-step routine rank higher
"가성비" (value for money): Most winners are priced under 25,000 KRW (~$18 USD)

These consumer priorities differ significantly from Western beauty shopping patterns, where fragrance, packaging design, and brand prestige often rank higher than texture and layering compatibility. For a wider take on this East-West gap, see our Korean skincare vs Western skincare philosophy differences.

How to Use This List: A Practical Guide

If you are building a K-beauty routine from scratch:

Start with three products from this list: Roundlab Dokdo Toner (hydration base), Torriden Dive-In Serum (active hydration), and whichever cream matches your skin type. This gives you a toner-serum-cream routine using Korea's three most purchased products.

For personalized routine recommendations by skin type, check our Korean skincare routine by skin type guide.

If you are looking for specific ingredient innovation:

The PDRN products (Ingredient Editor cream, Anua serum) represent the cutting edge of Korean skincare ingredient science. If you want to understand what Korean consumers will be using in 2-3 years before it hits Western markets, start there.

If you want the safest mainstream picks:

Manyo Factory Cleansing Oil and Torriden Dive-In Serum have five consecutive years of #1 rankings each. That kind of longevity across 180 million annual transactions is the strongest possible evidence of product quality and broad skin-type compatibility.

The Global K-Beauty Angle

The 2025 awards added three global categories: Best Performer, Rising, and Rookie. This reflects Olive Young's international expansion strategy — the retailer now ships to multiple countries and has opened flagship stores in key international markets.

Products like Anua's heartleaf line and Biodance's collagen masks gained global traction on TikTok before winning Korean domestic awards. The awards now acknowledge this reverse-import phenomenon: products that go viral internationally and then see boosted domestic sales in Korea.

This bidirectional flow — Korean products going global, then global attention driving Korean sales — is reshaping how Korean brands develop products. Formulations are increasingly designed with both Korean and international consumers in mind, which affects ingredient choices, texture profiles, and even packaging language.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are Olive Young Award winners selected?

Winners are selected based on actual purchase data — approximately 180 million transactions across all Olive Young stores and online channels over a 12-month period (July to June). This is not an editor's pick or influencer vote. It is a raw sales data analysis, supplemented by trend analysis and editorial "MD's Pick" selections.

Are Olive Young Award products available outside Korea?

Most winning products are available internationally through Amazon, YesStyle, Stylevana, and Olive Young Global. Availability and pricing vary by region, and some limited-edition award packages are Korea-exclusive.

How do the 2025 winners compare to 2024?

The biggest continuity is at the top: Torriden, Roundlab, and Manyo Factory maintained their #1 positions. The biggest change is the emergence of PDRN products (Ingredient Editor, Anua) and exosome-formulated products (Goodal reformulation) as award winners. The ingredient landscape shifted meaningfully while the top brands held steady.

Why should I trust Olive Young Awards over other K-beauty rankings?

Scale and methodology. No other K-beauty ranking system is based on 180 million verified purchase transactions. Hwahae rankings reflect user reviews and ingredient analysis; Glowpick reflects consumer ratings. Only Olive Young reflects what people actually bought with their money in Korea's largest beauty retail environment.

What is the average price of an Olive Young Award-winning skincare product?

Most winning skincare products fall in the 15,000-25,000 KRW range ($11-$18 USD). This is mid-range by Korean standards and significantly below typical Western prestige skincare pricing. The accessibility of award-winning K-beauty products is one of the category's strongest value propositions.