Hello beautiful people! If you know me, you know I’m all about the recipes and the natural beauty hacks—shoutout to all my fellow skin care lovers. But this September, I took my love of skin care across the globe on a trip to South Korea! I was finally able to visit my friend Jess, who I hadn’t seen in forever (her husband’s stationed there). And while I was there, I hand delivered her copy of my cookbook Cookin’ Healthy and Eatin’ Plenty—making Maddi Made Vegan officially international! Yep, nationwide just wasn’t enough anymore, folks.
Seoul Adventures: Vegan Eats Galore
Seoul blew me away with its vegan options! Here are my top three spots that I’m still dreaming about…
1. Vegan Kitchen – We tried their hotpot, and it was just what I needed after a long day of navigating the city.
2. ALT.a – If you’re a noodle fan, this place is heaven. Plus, the atmosphere is on point.
3. Plant Cafe and Kitchen – Okay, their chocolate cake might be one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. I’m still thinking about it!
Korean Beauty Clinics: The Ultimate Self-Care Treat
South Korea’s beauty clinics are next level. I started with a facial at VelyB. For $300, I got a full acne-prone skin facial with extractions, a calming mask, red light therapy, a few serums, and a bit of a surprise decision: lip filler. Yep, you read that right! Jess had been going to this clinic for years and made me feel confident about trying filler for a more subtle look that is popular in Korea (no duck lips here!). Even some men were in the waiting room with numbing cream on for their own injections etc. And then, I went for a luxurious hair treatment at Leekaja—imagine a scalp massage so good that you almost fall asleep. It was heaven.
Olive Young Haul: Must-Have Skincare Products
Would it even be a Korean trip if I didn’t stop by South Korea’s go-to health and beauty store—Olive Young. It’s a bit like the Korean version of Sephora meets CVS, packed with skincare, makeup, and wellness products, and has become a beauty haven for locals and tourists (me) alike.
One of the best things about Olive Young is that it carries products focused on clean ingredients and skin health, aligning perfectly with the gentle, effective approach that K-beauty is known for. It’s a treasure trove for anyone looking to dive into Korean skin care, whether you’re after soothing toners, hydrating serums, or blemish treatments. The stores are everywhere in South Korea, but if you don’t plan on making the trip don’t worry, I found several products online for you!
Here’s what skincare products made it into my suitcase:
– MEDIHEAL Teatree Toner Pads – TikTok made me do it, and it’s a decision I don’t regret.
– ROUND LAB Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ – because sun protection is a must.
– Clean and Glow Green Barley Gel Cleanser – I love a gentle, refreshing cleanser.
– AESTURA A-CICA365 Blemish Calming Face Serum – Perfect for keeping acne in check.
I worked each of these products in my routine one at a time (because, skin care rules), and so far, I’m loving how they’re working with my skin. Korean skincare product’s focus on clean ingredients and gentle care is everything for acne prone skin girlies like myself. If you want to know how I cleared my skin in one year completely naturally after struggling with acne for over 10 years check out my ebook, Naturally Radiant: The Ultimate Skin Care Glow-Up guide!
Final Thoughts
South Korea, you were amazing! Between the vegan food, the beauty treatments, and spending time with Jess, this trip was unforgettable. If you’re ever in Seoul, don’t miss the vegan spots and treat yourself to some skin care magic. Love ya!
Xoxo – Maddi
