Emma WhiteOne thing I noticed after sinking multiple hours into various K-dramas is how the characters’ skin glows—even the men! This fascination led me down a rabbit hole of searching for Korean skincare stores in Ottawa so that I could try them out for myself.
This opened the door to tons of choices, as I never thought that the capital features several stores that offer K-beauty products. Several purchases later, I can now recommend which ones you should consider if you want that signature Korean radiance!
As a disclaimer, please consult with your dermatologist first to ensure that your skin is compatible with these products. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, keep on reading to find the best Korean skincare stores in Ottawa!
What is the average cost of Korean skincare products in Ottawa?
Korean skincare products cost anywhere from CAD3 to CAD50. Simple masks cost CAD3 to CAD5, while cleansers, moisturizers and serums can cost CAD15 to CAD50 or even more, depending on the brand.
1. Sukoshi Mart
Products: Cleansers, moisturizers, mists, creams, oils, makeup products, K-pop merch
Location: 50 Rideau St.
Contact: +1 613-860-6866
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
We were familiar with Sukoshi Mart back when it was a convenience store, thanks to its selection of Korean snacks. So, imagine our surprise when we recently rediscovered it as this quaint Korean make-up and skincare store!
Right off the bat, we noticed the overall cute vibes it’s going for with its sky-blue walls and adorable mascots—they even sell stuffed toys as well!
However, the wide selection of skincare and makeup products remains the central star of this store. They offer just about every item required to complete a skincare routine, from serums to moisturizers, eye creams, and more.
The brands they offer are also reputable and are legitimately from Korea. Furthermore, what caught our eye was their variety of K-pop merch, like albums, light sticks, and photocards.
Our only gripe is the overpriced tags on some items, a sentiment shared by other customers when we interviewed them. However, this is somewhat offset by their regular discounts and promotions.
Really enjoyed exploring the store
“I went to this shop a lot of times just to buy Enhypen albums, lol. I really enjoyed exploring the whole store with a lot of Korean stuff like K-pop, makeup, skincare, food, keychains, etc.
Every time I go there and buy something, I feel like it’s always my lucky charm because they are always on their last sale. I’m also looking forward to Enhypen’s new album DESIRE: UNLEASH! I hope Sukoshi Mart has it! So I’m very excited to go again soon!”
Ariane Elle, Google Review
Great spot if you’re into Korean beauty
“Stumbled across this place while looking for some new skincare, and I’m so glad I did. The staff was super helpful—especially Seerat, who really knew her stuff and pointed me to exactly what I needed. Great spot if you’re into Korean beauty or just want to upgrade your routine.”
James Ngugi, Google Review
2. Axia Station
Products: Cleansing oils, serums, sunscreen, facial wash, cakes, chocolate, soda pops
Location: 147 Rideau St.
Contact: +1 613-867-5888
Business hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Axoia Station stands out on Rideau Street thanks to its fun, colourful and neon-lit interior. It’s the perfect definition of a one-stop shop, offering items like instant noodles, dinnerware, cakes and toys, in addition to their impressive selection of makeup products.
Their skincare products are from top brands from South Korea as well. They offer a good variety, including facial masks, treatments, and hair care, at different price ranges depending on the brand.
Even with its diverse selection of products, however, it never feels tedious or overwhelming to explore, thanks to its well-organized layout. Visiting this place is also a treat due to its overall fun and trendy ambience, with its claw machines being some of the highlights.
We also appreciate that they offer an online store, which sometimes offers free shipping, for a more convenient shopping experience.
However, we did notice some inconsistencies with their customer service based on our interviews. Some regulars complained that they weren’t approached when they entered the store, while others felt uncomfortable that they were being followed around.
Loved the whole store!
“I was like a kid in a candy store. What a bright and beautiful store! Everything Asian, with more flavours than you’ve ever thought of. This store has them all, from drinks to ramen noodles, and even some cutlery and dishes.
The plush toy machines are so vibrant and bright! I loved the whole store!”
Asif A. Ali, Google Review
Diverse range of South Korean cosmetics
“AXIA Station in Ottawa is a standout destination! With its bright and captivating ambience, it’s hard to miss.
Inside, you’ll discover a diverse range of South Korean cosmetics, beauty products, snacks, beverages, and chocolates – all imported and not commonly found in other Canadian stores.
Whether you’re a fan of K-beauty or simply enjoy exploring new tastes, AXIA Station promises a unique experience. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind store!”
Shom T, Google Review
3. Mergi Shop
Products: Sunscreen, masks, snacks, instant noodles, sweets, serums, oils
Location: 382 Rideau St.
Contact: +1 613-366-6459
Business hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Mergi Shop immediately caught our eye with its striking Tiffany-blue exterior as we drove along Rideau Street. As soon as we entered, we noticed how small it was compared to other Korean stores in Ottawa, but we liked that it was accessible and compact.
For starters, it offers a wide range of skincare essentials, like sunscreen, serums, and oils, priced at different ranges. We also love their wide selection of sheet masks, which vary in fragrance and benefits.
It also doubles as a convenience store, featuring multiple snacks like chocolates, instant ramen, and soda pops. Our favourite thing about shopping here is the affordable price range, which is impressive considering their products are imported.
We also love the friendly customer service here. This was also noted to us during our surveys with the store’s regulars, who commended the staff for their knowledge of the different skincare products.
The only downside here is the lack of an online store and delivery options. However, we do appreciate its accessible location near Downtown Ottawa.
Clean and neatly organised
“What a great store for imported Asian snacks, drinks and cosmetics. Their items are mostly from Japan and Korea. They have Kiss Me Heroine Make mascara! My favourite mascara and its prices are reasonable (around $20).
So many cool chips and fun drinks. The store is clean and neatly organised. Staff are friendly.”
Jennifer V-P, Google Review
Decent prices
“Cute little shop contains Asian cosmetics, and a variety of imported snacks, foods and drinks! Despite its size, they’ve got a lot of products and decent prices given that they are all imported! Would go back to try more snacks from there”
Fiona L, Google Review
4. Sephora
Products: Moisturisers, sunscreen, makeup, masks, serums, essences, toners
Location: 100 Bayshore Dr Space CC2A
Contact: +1 613-596-5050
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sephora is one of the most well-known skincare and cosmetics outlets globally, so having a dedicated section called “K-Beauty” speaks volumes about Korea’s skincare game.
The variety of products they offer under this category is impressive as well, offering essentials like moisturizers and sunscreens, as well as cosmetics such as eyeliners and lip balms. We also love how they offer value sets that bundle multiple items at affordable prices.
They also hold regular promotions on their official online store, which we regularly scan in case some of our favourite K-Beauty products are on sale.
We also reached out to fellow Sephora enjoyers, and one thing they brought up the most was the attentive customer service. They told us how they were always catered to, no matter how busy the store was, which is almost always the case with this branch.
It’s also located conveniently inside Bayshore Shopping Centre and open seven days a week.
The only thing we don’t like is its generic interior, which is slightly more cramped than we want. Nonetheless, the items are still organized, making shopping a breeze!
Took the time to show me the products
“Jessica is an absolute sweetheart. She was very helpful when I was in. Even tho the store was busy, she took the time to show me the products. I hope she gets the recognition she deserves!
The last time I was there, my experience wasn’t good, but this time it was lovely”
Andrea VanHaeften, Google Review
Customer service was top-notch
“Honestly, I feel like this store could benefit from corporate allotting them more hours. Their team is fantastic and doing everything they absolutely can when it’s busy. I was helped last weekend by a Brand Ambassador, Nicholas, and I couldn’t have had a better experience.
Their customer service was top-notch, on top of being charismatic and charming. They could tell I was flustered and in a rush, they offered to find my items for me and helped me with a quick and convenient checkout! I wish I could give more than five stars! Thanks again, team!”
Martin Bergeron, Google Review
5. Clore Beauty Supply
Products: Cream, cleansing oil, essence water, serums, essence, toner
Location: 997 St. Laurent Blvd.
Contact: +1 613-742-5673
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Clore Beauty Supply is a great place to check out if you’re looking for affordable skincare products and cosmetics. They offer brands from all over the world while also offering their own K-beauty section.
Although it’s not as expansive as the other entries’ selections, it still offers the essentials, which we highly appreciate. For instance, aside from offering cleansing oil, toners, serums, etc., they also offer makeup products like lip balms, cheek tints, and eyebrow pencils.
The variety and quality of their Korean skincare products is fantastic, as they carry big-name, reputable brands. We also interviewed customers who bought from this store, and they told us how effective they were, and some even provided before-and-after photos!
Lastly, we wanted to highlight the customer service here, as they were widely praised during our interviews. Customers told us how helpful and approachable the staff members were, often taking the time to explain each product thoroughly.
Takes the time to explain things well
“I had a great experience! The store is well organised with a wide selection of products, but what I appreciated most was the service. A huge thank you to Passy, who was lovely and gave me great advice on choosing my items.
She really listens, is cheerful, and takes the time to explain things well. Honestly, it makes you want to come back just for the welcome. I recommend it 100%!”
Chris Bouam, Google Review
Always impressed by her knowledge
“Whenever you come to the shop, please ask for Erin! She is so nice, and I feel like she really knows what she is talking about. I am always impressed by her knowledge whenever I get to see her in the shop.
It is really nice to see people enjoying their job, showing love and dedication towards others’ needs. Today, she helped me find the right shampoo for myself. I just tried it and love it! Please try her and thank me later”
Isid Agblewonu, Google Review
