Key takeaways
- Olive Young, Korea's largest beauty retailer, curated 19 K-beauty brands for Sephora based on what actually sells in the Korean market.
- The product lineup spans cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid, treatment masks with collagen and peptides, sun protection formulas, and scalp-focused shampoo.
- Multiple products earn endorsements from dermatologists including Dr. Claire Chang and Dr. Jane Yoo, plus recognition from K-beauty award platforms like Hwahae.
Starting today, Korean beauty enthusiasts in the United States can shop without the flight to Seoul. Sephora and Olive Young, Korea’s largest health and beauty retailer, have officially partnered to bring 19 Korean-curated beauty brands to Sephora.com and physical store locations. Rather than simply expanding its K-beauty assortment, Sephora selected brands through Olive Young’s expertise: the Korean retailer chose products based on performance with Korean consumers, consistent popularity, and current trend leadership within the market. American shoppers now gain direct access to what Korean beauty lovers actually purchase, without navigating Korean websites or international shipping.
The brands now available span both established names and lesser-known options. Banila Co, Ma:nyo, and Abib bring recognizable product lines, while Fully, Menokin, and Bioheal BOH remain relatively unknown in the U.S. market. Each selection reflects Olive Young’s vetting process—a significant advantage for shoppers overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Korean brands available online.
Cleansing Products That Dissolve Without Stripping
Pore-Focused Care From BePlain
BePlain, a soothing skincare brand largely unknown in the United States until this partnership, has already established itself in South Korea through award recognition from Hwahae and Olive Young. The brand’s mung bean formulas form the foundation of its reputation. The BePlain Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum combines mung bean seed extracts with niacinamide, an ingredient known for controlling excess sebum and minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores, plus glycerin and hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin. Adenosine and peptides contribute smoothing effects, while the lightweight gel formula begins to thin into a watery essence upon application, absorbing rapidly to leave skin noticeably softer with a glassy finish.
The Banila Co Cleansing Trio
Banila Co’s Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm has earned endorsements from dermatologists and K-beauty experts including Charlotte Cho. The product now comes in three formulations, allowing consumers to target specific concerns: the Original Balm uses jojoba oil as its primary makeup-dissolving agent, the Pore Clarifying Balm adds salicylic acid, LHA, and gluconolactone for exfoliating power, and the Brightening Balm incorporates ascorbyl glucoside, a vitamin C derivative meant to boost radiance during the cleansing process.
All three feature the same distinctive texture—a silky solid that rapidly liquefies upon contact, breaking down makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil with minimal friction or pressure. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Claire Chang at UnionDerm in New York City previously noted that the Original formula leaves skin feeling smoother and more hydrated, and remarked that just a small amount accomplishes thorough cleansing.
Gentle Milk Cleanser For Sensitive Skin
Ma:nyo’s Pure Soybean Cleansing Milk offers a gentler, creamier alternative for combination-to-dry and sensitive skin types. At its core is wild soybean extract fermented for 120 hours—a process that breaks down the ingredient into a lightweight, nourishing formula. Sunflower and jojoba seed oils accomplish most of the makeup-removal work while replenishing skin with emollient moisture. Ceramides, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, cica, and fig extract collectively hydrate, soothe, and support the skin’s moisture barrier. The formula foams minimally and feels more like a moisturizer than a traditional cleanser, making it especially suitable for reactive skin.

Treatment Masks For Hydration And Firmness
Bubble Mask Without The Rinse
One standout treatment doesn’t require the extended time commitment of traditional sheet masks. The product foams up in roughly 30 seconds, creating a layer of tiny bubbles that gradually collapse and sink into the skin—no fabric backing to peel away, no rinse required. Niacinamide brightens uneven tone and boosts radiance, while hyaluronic acid draws in moisture for a plumper, smoother appearance. The formula also contains Myrothamnus flabellifolia callus culture extract, an antioxidant-rich plant component supporting skin recovery. Adenosine softens the look of fine lines, and sh-Oligopeptide-1, a lab-synthesized form of epidermal growth factor (EGF), supports a firmer, smoother, more rejuvenated appearance.
Overnight Collagen Treatment
Sungboon Editor’s Deep Collagen Power Boosting Mask emphasizes its primary ingredient: 2,160,000 ppb (parts per billion) of low-molecular-weight collagen. The smaller collagen fragments draw moisture to the skin, supporting the appearance of firmness and elasticity. Beyond collagen, the mask includes multiple peptide ingredients, hyaluronic acid for additional hydration, ceramides to support the moisture barrier, and soothing extracts including cica. The product comes in two parts, allowing adjustment as needed. Dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Jane Yoo in New York City notes that the peptide combination delivers a powerful hydrating effect while remaining suitable for sensitive skin. The overnight formulation begins opaque and becomes clear as the serum absorbs completely, signaling ingredient penetration.
Sun Protection For Daily And On-The-Go Use
Ma:nyo’s Air Light Moisturizing Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 blurs the line between lightweight moisturizer and serious sun defense. Its serum-like feel comes partly from ensulizole, an FDA-approved, water-soluble UV filter that produces less greasy formulas than traditional sunscreen bases. Nano-hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid work together to draw in and retain moisture for a plumper, more supple feel without added weight. The formula addresses both prevention and correction: tranexamic acid and niacinamide target existing dark spots and uneven tone, while antioxidant vitamin E defends against environmental stressors. The sunscreen melts quickly into skin and layers cleanly without pilling.
For midday reapplication, Abib’s Quick Sunstick Protection Bar SPF 50+ offers a solid alternative to liquid formulas. The curved stick glides on with a clear, silky finish that works over existing makeup, simplifying touch-ups and eliminating messy hands.
Scalp Health Meets Strand Strength
Korean haircare prioritizes scalp health alongside strand condition. Dr.ForHair’s Folligen Thickening Shampoo targets oily, irritated, sensitive, or thinning scalps and those experiencing excessive shedding. The brand’s proprietary Folligen Complex combines caffeine, biotin, peptides, and panthenol. Caffeine supports healthy follicle function, biotin promotes keratin production, peptides reinforce the hair fiber structure, and moisturizing panthenol softens hair while soothing dryness. Niacinamide provides additional barrier support, while mild exfoliating ingredients including phytic acid whisk away excess oil and buildup that can leave scalps itchy or uncomfortable. The brand recommends working the lather into the roots with fingertips or a scalp massager before rinsing for maximum benefit.
Why Olive Young’s Curation Matters
Olive Young’s selection process filters out hype in favor of what actually performs in the Korean market. The retailer’s decades of experience stocking Korea’s beauty-conscious consumers means these 19 brands have proven efficacy and appeal. American shoppers gain access to award-winning formulas recognized by K-beauty platforms like Hwahae without navigating Korean websites or courier services. The assortment spans all major skincare and haircare categories—cleansing, treatment, sun protection, and scalp care—making it possible to build an entire Korean-inspired routine through one retailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Olive Young and Sephora partnership about?
Sephora and Olive Young partnered to bring 19 K-beauty brands to Sephora.com and physical store locations, with Olive Young selecting the brands based on product performance, popularity, and trend leadership in the Korean market.
What active ingredients are featured in these K-beauty products?
The products feature ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, collagen, ascorbyl glucoside, caffeine, biotin, and tranexamic acid, each targeting specific skin and scalp concerns.
Why is the wild soybean extract in Ma:nyo's cleansing milk fermented for 120 hours?
The 120-hour fermentation process breaks down the soybean extract's components, creating a lightweight, nourishing formula that smooths the appearance of skin texture and controls excess sebum.