Daiso Korea's 2026 first-half beauty top 5
By URITRIP
Daiso Korea has released its first-half report for 2026, based on sales data from January 1 to June 21. Despite the chain's reputation as a household-goods store, beauty products claimed most of the category top spots.
One thing to know before reading: the Korean Daiso chain now operates independently of the Japanese brand of the same name, and the five winners below are sold only at stores in Korea and on the domestic Daiso Mall app. For those planning a trip to Korea, this list works as a shopping reference; overseas, the items surface mainly through resellers at a markup. Prices follow Daiso's fixed tiers, topping out at 5,000 won, roughly 3.5 dollars depending on the exchange rate.
Why beauty led Daiso Korea's 2026 first-half report
The report draws on Daiso Mall's first-half sales data. Industry estimates put purchases of Daiso beauty products for the year through March 2026 at 361.9 billion won, up 39.6 percent from a year earlier. Established Korean brands keep launching Daiso-exclusive second labels at fixed low prices, and that pipeline has become a growth engine for the chain.
The category winners are as follows.
| Category | Winner | Price and size |
|---|---|---|
| First-half bestseller | VT PDRN Glow Toner | 5,000 won / 200ml |
| New 1,000-won item | VT Reedle Shot Be Clear Soft Body Pad | 1,000 won |
| Best new release | BONCEPT Retinol Double V-Fit Gel Mask | 2,000 won / 22g |
| Restock requests | Mommycare Sea Grape Skin Pack | 5,000 won / 80 pads |
| Most-reviewed item | Zoom by Jungsaemmool Makeup Fixer | 5,000 won / 50ml |
VT PDRN Glow Toner, the No. 1 seller at Daiso Korea
The single best-selling product on Daiso Mall in the first half was a toner from VT Cosmetics, the company behind the Reedle Shot line. PDRN skincare usually sits in a far higher price bracket in Korea, and the 5,000-won entry point kept the toner cycling in and out of stock all season. It is registered as a dual-function cosmetic for brightening and wrinkle care under Korean regulations.
Key ingredients in VT PDRN Glow Toner and what they do
According to the brand, the formula centers on a low-molecular plant-based PDRN extracted from wild-simulated ginseng, supported by glutathione, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and collagen. PDRN and glutathione handle glow and tone, while hyaluronic acid covers hydration. This is a plant-derived PDRN, not the salmon-derived type the ingredient is best known for, which is worth knowing going in.
VT PDRN Glow Toner price and where to find it in Korea
The toner costs 5,000 won for 200ml at Daiso stores and on Daiso Mall. Stock varies widely by store and sells out online in waves. Outside Korea it appears mostly on reseller sites at several times the shelf price, so buying in person during a Korea trip is the practical route.
How VT PDRN Glow Toner feels on skin, according to reviews
Reviews describe a thin, watery texture with a slight viscosity that leaves a hydrated finish. Skin reads subtly more even right after application, with a glow that stops short of greasiness. Decanting the toner into a mist bottle for use through the day is a recurring tip.
VT Reedle Shot Be Clear Soft Body Pad, the top 1,000-won newcomer
The best-selling new item in the 1,000-won tier went to body care. The pad extends VT's Reedle Shot line, known for facial serums, to areas like the back and chest that are hard to reach by hand. A thick, double-sided embossed sheet covers a wide area in one pass.
Exfoliating ingredients in the Reedle Shot body pad
Per the brand, AHA, PHA, and LHA gently clear excess sebum and built-up dead skin cells, alongside the cica complex shared across the line. Because of the acids, a light tingling early on is described as expected. Sensitivity varies, so testing a small area first is the safer route for reactive skin.
How to use the Reedle Shot body pad after showering
After a shower, with skin lightly toweled, sweep the pad gently over rough areas. Following up with a body lotion keeps the finish comfortable. Persistent stinging or redness is a signal to stop, and broken skin should be avoided altogether.
Why BONCEPT Retinol Double V-Fit Gel Mask topped new releases
The best seller among the half's new releases came from BONCEPT, Tonymoly's Daiso-exclusive label. It is a gel-type mask that wraps the jawline, and its win points to steady demand for firming and moisture care at this price point. The mask holds 22g of product and is listed at 2,000 won.
Retinol content and stretch fabric of the BONCEPT gel mask
According to the brand, the mask uses a high-elasticity sheet infused with 60ppb of retinol, with clinical test results cited for skin elasticity and pore-related measures. Those figures come from controlled test conditions, so individual results will differ.
When and how to wear the BONCEPT gel mask
It goes on after cleansing, during the skincare step, fitted snugly along the jawline for the stated wear time. As a retinol product, evening use followed by sunscreen the next day is the safer routine. Early reviews split between praise for the fit and complaints about hold, so the rating is worth revisiting as reviews accumulate.
Mommycare Sea Grape Skin Pack, the most requested restock
The most requested restock of the half was, again, a beauty product. The keyword "sea grape" was searched more than 3.18 million times on Daiso Mall during the period, topping the search rankings. An 80-pad tub at 5,000 won makes daily use easy to justify, which keeps repurchase demand high.
What goes into the Mommycare Sea Grape Skin Pack
Per the product page, the key ingredients are sea grape extract containing fucoidan, a blend of high-, mid-, and low-molecular hyaluronic acid, and allantoin. The thin gel sheets are positioned to deliver moisture and calm heat where they sit. At 80 pads and 120ml, daily partial masking stays affordable.
How to layer the Sea Grape Skin Pack before makeup
After cleansing, at the toner step, the pads rest for three to five minutes on areas of concern such as the cheeks. They also work as a quick calming step before makeup. Dry skin does better sealing them in with a cream, and the label advises against use on children under three.
Zoom by Jungsaemmool Makeup Fixer, the most-reviewed item
The item with the most photo reviews came from the Daiso-exclusive line of makeup artist Jung Saem Mool. The 50ml bottle sells for 5,000 won and has cycled through sellouts since launch. Interest in makeup longevity translated directly into review volume.
Texture and hold of the Jungsaemmool Makeup Fixer
Reviews place it closer to a hydrating set than a matte lock: a thin moisture film that keeps makeup from lifting rather than clamping down on oil. That profile reads well for dry and combination skin. Oily skin types that prioritize sebum control may want to test the finish first.
How to spray the Jungsaemmool Makeup Fixer correctly
As the last step of makeup, spray evenly from about 30cm away and let it absorb. Keep the eyes closed during application. A light pass also works midday, before touching up makeup that has started to lift.
Shopping checklist before visiting a Daiso store in Korea
All five products cycle through sellouts and restocks. For those stopping by a Daiso store on a Korea trip, a few checks make the run smoother.
- Larger branches tend to carry a wider beauty section; small neighborhood stores may stock only part of the lineup.
- The Daiso Mall app shows store-level inventory, though it runs in Korean and ships within Korea only.
- Functional claims such as brightening or wrinkle care can be checked on the back label under Korea's cosmetics labeling rules.
- Acid- or retinol-based items like the body pad and gel mask fit best in an evening routine, with sunscreen the next day.
- Prices and packaging can change over time, so treat the figures here as a first-half snapshot.
