Last updated: November 2026
Imagine walking into a store where nothing costs more than about ₩5,000 (roughly $3.50), and the shelves are packed with retinol, PDRN, exosomes and micro-needle serums. Not knockoffs. Real lines from brands like VT, AHC, Mamonde and Jung Saem Mool, made just for this store. This is Daiso, and it has quietly become the most chaotic, most fun beauty destination in Korea.
The numbers are wild: Daiso’s beauty sales grew 50%, 85%, 144% and 70% year after year from 2022 to 2025, it went from 7 beauty brands to around 170, and it opened its first beauty-only store in August 2026. Korean Gen Z calls it their “beauty mill.” Here’s what to grab.
⚡ TL;DR: Daiso sells skincare at ₩1,000–5,000. Must-grabs: VT Reedle Shot mini sticks (~₩3,000 for 6, vs ~₩32,000 for the regular bottle), Bonsep retinol (₩5,000, a million sold in five months), Mimo by Mamonde, AHC Age Renew eye creams, Dermafirm’s exosome “skin booster shots” (new in Sept 2026), and Zoom by Jung Saem Mool base makeup. Things sell out, so go early or check the Daiso Mall app.
Why Daiso became a beauty powerhouse
- Big brands make Daiso-only lines. Same company, smaller sizes, simpler packaging, tiny prices. Amorepacific, AHC, Jung Saem Mool and many more are in.
- Trend speed: the hottest ingredients (retinol, PDRN, exosome) show up at Daiso within months of going viral at Olive Young.
- Low-risk testing: want to try retinol or a micro-needle serum without spending ₩40,000? This is the place.
- Sell-out culture: people queue at opening for restocks. It’s half shopping, half sport.
🔥 Hot take: Daiso is the best place in Korea to TEST a trend and the worst place to be loyal to one. Try the ₩3,000 version first; if you love it, buy the full-size later.
The Daiso skincare hit list
| Product | Brand | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reedle Shot (mini sticks) | VT | The micro-needle “spicule” serum that tingles. The Daiso version started a nationwide sell-out | ~₩3,000 for 6×2 ml |
| Bonsep Retinol line | TonyMoly | High-retinol-content skincare at a tiny price | ₩5,000 |
| Mimo by Mamonde | Amorepacific | Daiso-only skincare line; hit 1 million sold in about 4 months | ₩3,000–5,000 |
| Age Renew eye creams | AHC | Firming, moisturizing and wrinkle versions of AHC’s famous eye cream | ~₩5,000 (vs ₩30,000+ regular) |
| Exosome “skin booster shots” | Dermafirm | Exosome + retinoid (pores), niacinamide 10% (dark spots) or PDRN (glow) — new Sept 2026 | ₩5,000 tier |
| Calming gel | CNP | Soothing gel from a derma brand | ₩5,000 tier |
| Nasolabial-line ampoule | Cleaderm (Chong Kun Dang Health) | Wrinkle-focused ampoule from a pharma group | ₩5,000 tier |
🤫 Friend tip: The Reedle Shot tingles because it has tiny spicules that “poke” the skin. Start with the lowest strength, use it at night, skip other strong actives that evening, and wear sunscreen the next day.
Daiso makeup and hair worth grabbing
- Zoom by Jung Saem Mool: base makeup from a legendary Korean makeup artist. Foundation, cushion, primer and fixer at about ₩5,000, toner pads at about ₩1,000.
- Son & Park Arty Spread Color Balm (~₩3,000): the lip-and-cheek balm people compared to a ₩63,000 luxury version.
- TS hair-loss care: shampoos, treatment and scalp tonic for 20s and 30s.
- Medi-Peel masks and sheet masks from about ₩1,000.
Daiso vs Olive Young: when to buy where
| Buy at Daiso | Buy at Olive Young |
|---|---|
| Trying a new trend (retinol, spicule, exosome) | Your proven holy grails |
| Travel sizes and gifts | Big bottles on sale (better per ml) |
| Masks, pads, cheap makeup | Sunscreen and serums you use daily |
| Brand “diffusion” lines | Full product lines and new launches |
Comparing everything? See my Olive Young sale guide and the new Korean pharmacy skincare guide.
How to shop Daiso like a local
- Go early for viral items. Restocks vanish fast.
- Check the Daiso Mall app for stock at nearby stores before you go.
- Big stores win: large Daiso branches (like the multi-floor ones in Myeongdong) have the widest beauty sections. Look for the new beauty-only store too.
- Read the box: Daiso lines are often smaller or simpler formulas than the brand’s regular product. Great value, but not always identical.
- Patch test strong stuff (retinol, spicules) before going all-in.
🙅 Skip: filling three baskets because everything is “only ₩5,000.”
👉 Do this instead: set a budget (₩30,000 buys a LOT here) and focus on 2–3 trends you actually want to try.
FAQ
Is Daiso skincare good?
Much of it is surprisingly good, because big Korean brands make Daiso-only lines. Formulas and sizes can differ from the brands’ regular products, so read the box.
How much is the VT Reedle Shot at Daiso?
The Daiso version has sold for about ₩3,000 for six 2 ml sticks, compared with about ₩32,000 for the regular 50 ml bottle.
What is the most popular Daiso skincare?
VT Reedle Shot, TonyMoly Bonsep retinol, Mimo by Mamonde, AHC Age Renew eye creams and the new exosome skin booster shots are among the biggest hits.
Can tourists buy at Daiso in Korea easily?
Yes. Daiso is everywhere, prices are labeled clearly, and big stores in tourist areas have huge beauty sections.
What’s your best ₩5,000 Daiso find? Drop it in the comments.
Prices are approximate as of 2026 and products rotate quickly.
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