Acne
06 March 2025
Did you know that some of the best skincare gems are hiding in South Korean pharmacies (약국, yakguk)? This is the new beauty destination for skincare aficionados for their affordable and exclusive skincare only found at local pharmacies. As a doctor and a fan of science backed skincare, here’s my guide to the most popular over the counter skincare from South Korean pharmacies-save this for your next trip to South Korea!
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harmacies in South Korea are THE place to visit if you want to purchase over the counter medications and cream with the guidance of a pharmacist. These include creams for treating acne, dark spots, scar healing and rejuvenation; which are also more affordable than similar items by popular K-beauty beauty.
Here’s a list of popular Korean pharmacy products, with my take on the active ingredients in these products.
Acnon Cream is one of the most popular OTC acne treatments from South Korean pharmacies that has gone viral on TikTok. It contains ibuprofen piconol and isopropyl methylphenol. Ibuprofen piconol reduces inflammation and isopropyl methylphenol has anti-bacterial effects. Skincare enthusiasts may recognise these ingredients in another popular Japanese over the counter cream, Lion PAiR acne cream.
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Doctor’s take on Acnon cream: Acnon cream may be used for reducing redness in inflammatory types of acne; but it does not completely address the key factors contributing to the pathogenesis such as excessive sebum production. Acnon cream may not be useful for comedonal acne (i.e. blackheads and whiteheads); which are best treated with exfoliating acids and retinoids. For more severe types of inflammatory acne, medications and in-clinic treatments such as lasers and chemical peels are options.
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Both Aclean Gel and Clearteen Acne Solution contain 2% salicylic acid, an oil-soluble exfoliating acid that penetrates pores. You’ll find salicylic acid in facial cleansers, serums and moisturisers for acne and oily skin types.
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Doctor’s take Aclean Gel and Clearteen Acne Solution : Better for treating clogged pores. Can be used as a spot treatment or all over areas that are acne prone or congested. If you find this insufficient, chemical peels in the clinic are more effective.
Noscarna Gel is a silicone containing gel that is designed to improve the appearance of scars, including keloids and surgical scars. Silicone gels and plasters have been shown to improve scar size and colour by hydrating and occluding the wound as well reducing scar tissue formation. Noscarna gel also contains heparin sodium, allantoin, and dexpanthenol. These ingredients reduce inflammation, hydrate and improve wound healing.
Doctor’s take on Noscarna: Start scar gels early to reduce risks of scar hypertrophy; and improve scar appearance. If intended for surgical scars, please check with your doctor regarding suitability to begin the scar gel. Keeping the scar moist and occluded early seems to improve scarring outcomes. For hypertrophic scars and keloids, intralesional steroid injections can reduce the size of the scar.
Melatoning cream is a topical treatment for lightening hyperpigmentation. The active ingredient in melatonin is 2% hydroquinone, which lightens dark spots by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme that forms melanin.
Hydroquinone is a controversial lightning agent, and it can cause side effects such as irritation and ochronosis, a condition where the skin turns bluish-gray. Some countries including the European Union and Japan, have banned hydroquinone in OTC skincare due to safety concerns. In Singapore, hydroquinone is only available through a doctor’s prescription, and typically used for short-term treatment under medical supervision.
Doctor’s take on Melatoning cream: There are other active ingredients that are evidence based for lightening hyperpigmentation including melasma and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, such as retinoids and vitamin C. If these dark spots persist, consider in-clinic treatments like lasers and chemical peels to improve your results. Learn about other active ingredients that are evidenced for lightening hyperpigmentation in How to Lighten Pigmentation and Dark Spots with Skin Care.
Perhaps the most well-known of OTC products from South Korean pharmacies has to be Rejuvenex cream. This topical skincare contains salmon DNA fragments, polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN), which are used in aesthetic dermatology and plastic surgery to enhance wound healing and skin repair.
Rejuvenex is produced by PharmaResearch in South Korea, the same company that produces one of Asia’s most well known injectable salmon PDRN products called Rejuran Healer. Rejuran Healer injections are immensely popular in South Korea and Singapore; and Hollywood celebrities like Kim Kardashian have admitted to having salmon PDRN injected into their skin for rejuvenation purposes.
Whether applying topical salmon DNA to the skin yields the same benefits of injecting PDRN into the skin is questionable. As I’ve explained in Salmon Sperm Facials and PDRN Skincare , the evidence for PDRN benefits comes mostly from studies where salmon PDRN were injected at precise depths into the skin to reduce fine lines, hydrate the skin and reduce acne scars and pore size. The large molecular weight of PDRN is a barrier to skin absorption; but this has not dimmed the popularity of Rejuvenex cream on TikTok.
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Doctor’s take on Rejuvenex cream: Applying PDRN to the skin is not the same as having PDRN injected into the dermis. Although I do not see any harm to applying PDRN to the skin; it may have moisturising and plumping effects. However, I am doubtful that topical PDRN can mimic the outcomes of PDRN injected into the skin… I don’t think you’ll see reduced pore sizes or improved acne scars.
Madecassol ointment contains 2% Centella Asiatica extract. Centella Asiastica is better known as cica, another popular Asian remedy for wound healing and sensitivity. This ingredient has been discussed in Cica in Skincare: Centella Asiatica Explained. Madecassol ointment may be useful in treating wounds including after procedures such as lasers. It is also popularly used to soothe redness, dryness and other signs of skin sensitivity.
Doctor’s take on Madecassol ointment: Although centella asiatica may help with skin sensitivity and wound healing- but always check in with your doctor if you’re attending to use this after a medical procedures. Other calming and skin barrier repair ingredients have been explained in How to Repair Your Skin Barrier.
The active ingredients for many of these products can be found in many other skincare products. PDRN, cica and exfoliating acids aren’t pharmacy exclusive ingredients that you have to seek out for… so if you can’t get your hands on these viral products, don’t fret. You should be able to obtain similar items from your local pharmacy- at least in Singapore. Have you tried any of these pharmacy exclusive skincare from South Korea? Let me know in the comments if there’s a product I should review!
