• 3 Pharmacy Beauty Must-Haves Without a Prescription for Your Skin

        • 09/03/2024

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  • Editor Profile

    Name:
    Dai Kim (Editor, 28 years old)

    Skin Features:
    Dehydrated oily skin, whiteheads, blackheads

    I work as an editor for a humanities magazine at a publishing company. Due to frequent late nights during manuscript deadlines, I usually skip makeup on ordinary days. Since I typically just fill in my eyebrows and go for a no-makeup look, I focus more on skincare. When I do wear makeup, I prefer a “no-makeup makeup look” to a colorful style. However, maintaining healthy skin is challenging because of my oily skin. I frequently deal with blackheads and whiteheads, and my skin becomes tight and dry during seasonal changes, which leads to wrinkles. Although I’ve tried many well-known skincare products, they often cause breakouts and redness after some time. Recently, on a friend's recommendation, I tried some self-care products that are available in the pharmacy and noticed a smoother skin texture! It turned out that these products were recommended by renowned dermatologists and were popular as “must-haves” among beauty influencers, too.If you're like me, and you're still struggling with oiliness despite your best at-home skin care efforts, here are three “self-care” products that have worked wonders for me. They are dermatologist-recommended, reliable, and available at the pharmacy without a prescription.
    Skin with Blackheads and Acne

    Skin in
    Need of
    Regeneration


    Skin with Melasma and Dark Spots

    HANDOK Inc., Clearteen 2%

    Active Ingredient: Salicylic acid 2% (BHA)
    Benefits: Removes blackheads and whiteheads, improves acne-prone skin
    Price: 13,000-16,000 KRW (30ml, varies by pharmacy)

    2-Week Satisfaction
    Absorbs Well: 92%
    Effective for Skincare: 93%
    Convenient to Use: 91%
    2-Week satisfaction
    92%

    How to use
    • After cleansing your face thoroughly, apply the product to areas with acne or blackheads.
    • If the liquid solution runs, gently pat it with your fingers to aid absorption.
    • Follow with your basic skincare products to add moisture.

    Before & After
    One-Line Review
    • Pros: It is easy to use and the formula absorbs quickly into the skin, making it convenient.

    • Cons: It may cause a feeling of dryness in the skin.

    • Usage Tip: If it feels dry when used alone, apply your regular moisturizer afterward.

    • Precautions

    • 1. Avoid applying to areas with pustular acne, around the eyes, on open wounds, or on mucous membranes.

      2. If you experience itching, burning, or redness, stop using it and apply a moisturizer to the affected area.

    Detailed Review
    If you've ever stressed about a breakout before something important, try Clearteen 2% from the pharmacy. It has four times more salicylic acid than other acne products, making it super effective for treating acne. The toner-like formula absorbs quickly, so it calms breakouts fast. I once had some redness under my nose, like a pimple was about to pop up. But it quickly went away after applying Clearteen twice a day. The cooling sensation on my sensitive skin made me feel refreshed. Its lightweight formula is great for all seasons, but I especially recommend it in the summer.

    Dongkook Pharmaceutical,

    Madecassol Powder

    Active Ingredient:Titrated extract of Centella Asiatica (TECA) 20mg/g
    Benefits: Wound healing, solidification of wound exudate, acne scar treatment
    Price:7,000-8,000 KRW (10g, varies by pharmacy)

    2-Week Satisfaction
    Absorbs Well: 92%
    Effective for Skincare: 91%
    Convenient to Use: 89%
    2-Week satisfaction
    90%

    How to use
    • Mix a small amount of Madecassol Powder with your usual moisturizer.
    • Apply the mixture to areas where pimples are extruded.

    Before & After
    One-Line Review
    • Pros: It is effective for scar healing.

    • Cons: It can excessively remove oil, leading to dry skin.

    • Usage Tip: It contains no antibiotics or steroids, so it can be used on pustular acne as well.

    • Precautions

    • Since it is a powder that attracts moisture, using it alone can cause dryness. It is recommended to use only a tiny amount 1-2 times a week.

    Detailed Review
    Madecassol, a household name for treating wounds in Korea, has recently become a popular beauty item. The new Madecassol Powder stands out with twice the amount of Centella Asiatica extract—known for its wound-healing properties—compared to its older version. Pharmacies experienced a rush because many people said it was great mixed into moisturizers. After using it myself, I could see why people loved it. While popped pimples usually take a few days to heal, the treated area showed noticeable improvement in just two days. Mixing it with my moisturizer also made my skin feel refreshed. Plus, it’s much cheaper than other scar creams, which is why it’s received so much love.

    Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.,

    Melatoning Cream

    Active Ingredient:Hydroquinone 2%
    Benefits: Melasma and hyperpigmentation treatment
    Price:20,000-23,000 KRW (30g, varies by pharmacy)

    2-Week Satisfaction
    Absorbs Well: 91%
    Effective for Skincare: 92%
    Convenient to Use: 93%
    2-Week satisfaction
    92%

    How to use
    • Apply a small amount of cream to melasma, freckles, or hyperpigmentation using a cotton swab once or twice daily, in the morning and before bed.

    Before & After
    One-Line Review
    • Pros: It is easy to use, contains gentle ingredients, and doesn’t irritate the skin.

    • Cons:There is a possibility of discoloration if the treated area is exposed to sunlight.

    • Usage Tip:When using during the day, apply sunscreen more generously than usual.

    • Precautions

    • Apply the cream to less sensitive areas first, like behind the ears or on the neck. Discontinue use if blisters or inflammations occur.

    Detailed Review
    If you’re into managing melasma or freckles, you probably know how effective “hydroquinone” is,  a skin-whitening agent used by dermatologists. I was excited to try Dong-A’s Melatoning Cream because it contains 2% of this active ingredient. At first, I didn’t see much of a difference, but interestingly, I noticed the dark spots starting to fade after a week. Melatoning creams work best with consistent, long-term use, like sunscreens. So why not try using Melatoning Cream throughout the seasons?
    • • Medical Tourism Business Center (Seoul) primarily focused on B2B consultations
    • • Location: 1st Floor, Korea Tourism Organization (HiKR Ground), 40, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
    • • Hours: 10:00~19:00, (Closed on Mondays)
    • • Phone: +82-2-752-2102
    • • E-mail: [email protected]

    • • 1330 Korea Travel Helpline: +82-2-1330
    • • 1330 Text Chat: https://m.site.naver.com/1rEid
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    * This column was last updated in August 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.