Where To Get A Facial In Seoul: Spas, Clinics and What To Expect
Last Updated on April 14, 2026
I get asked about this a lot, probably because I consistently attend Korean beauty events and share the brands I use. Where do you get a facial in Seoul? And more specifically, how do you book one as a foreigner?
The short answer is that Seoul is one of the best cities in the world to get a facial and I’m glad more visitors are jumping on the opportunity. Taking care of one’s appearance is an integral part of Korean life, bath houses in every neighborhood, public exercise equipment everywhere, and beauty shops lining every major street. Facials here are neither exotic nor expensive. Koreans get them on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The infrastructure for it is everywhere.
This guide covers what to expect when you walk in, how to book without speaking Korean, and the best spots across Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam for everything from an affordable clinic visit to a full luxury treatment.
If you enjoy the spa and wellness side of Seoul, the complete guide to Korean bath houses covers the jjimjilbang experience and the best spots for that too.
Want to experience a facial in Seoul? Here’s what to know and where to go:
- Seoul Facial Quick Guide
- Why Get a Facial in Seoul
- What To Expect
- How Long Does a Korean Facial Take?
- How to Book
- Where to Get a Facial in Myeongdong
- Where to Get a Facial in Hongdae
- Where to Get a Facial in Gangnam
- FAQ
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)
Seoul Facial Quick Guide
| Spa/Clinic | District | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| WHOO Spa | Myeongdong | Luxury herbal treatment, celebrity level |
| Abijou Clinic | Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam | Clinical + facial combo, multilingual staff |
| HERA Esthetic Spa | Myeongdong | Gold mask, acupressure, mid-range luxury |
| Shin Jiyoon Skin Care | Hongdae | Non-clinical, spa atmosphere, contouring |
| SPA 1899 | Gangnam | Red ginseng treatments, ginseng brand house |
| AHC Play Zone Spa | Gangnam | Anti-aging, V-line, signature facial |
Why Get a Facial in Seoul
Korea’s beauty culture runs deep. From skincare routines to dermatological treatments, the infrastructure here is built for it in a way most countries aren’t. Facials are accessible, in price, in location, and in booking. Whether you want to expand your knowledge of skincare, try something new, or just relax and destress in a calm environment, Seoul is an unusually good place to do it.
What To Expect
My first facial in Seoul came through a beauty concierge introduction. I had very little idea what to expect going in as I’d barely had facials at home and didn’t know how the Korean approach would differ. That first experience was also my education in what a Korean facial actually involves, and it is quite different from the Western spa version in a few important ways I learned.
The environment varies depending on the type of spa. Some are private rooms where you’ll disrobe for the full neck and arm treatment; others are more communal spaces where you stay clothed with a towel placed at the neckline. I’ve done it both ways. Neither is better, they’re just different formats.
How to Prepare
In a private room you’ll be asked to disrobe so the neck and arm massage can be done without clothing in the way. You’ll be given a simple wrap. Lie on the table. If the table is heated, you will relax immediately, I tend to fall asleep.
In a communal space, you keep your clothes on and a towel is placed at the top. The treatment is adjusted accordingly.
Either way, the most useful preparation is simply knowing the steps before they happen. The first time I experienced the mask application I was less prepared than I should have been, which brings me to the one thing I always tell people to know in advance.
The Steps in a Korean Facial
- Cleansing. Even if you arrive with no makeup on freshly washed skin, you’ll still receive a thorough cleanse. An oil cleanser removes any remaining makeup or impurities. A second cleanser follows for a deeper clean. Toner is applied, then gentle exfoliation, then a steamed towel.
- Head and neck massage. Probably my personal favorite part. Expect a proper head, neck, and facial massage that works on acupressure points and stimulates the skin, not just a relaxation rub. Korean massage applies more pressure than most Western spa massages and is intentionally contoured to the face shape.
- Mask application. This is the step to know about before you go. Your eyes will be closed. A mask prepared for your specific skin type is applied, then a thin gauze sheet mask on top of that, then a heavier clay mask over both. You cannot open your eyes and you cannot see.
- The first time this happened, I realized how claustrophobic I could be. I wasn’t expecting to be fully masked and sightless and it was momentarily unsettling. Having done this many times since, it doesn’t bother me at all, but if you have any tendency toward claustrophobia, prepare for this step mentally before you arrive. Once the masks are applied, you’re typically left alone for about 10 minutes to rest. Sometimes an arm and hand massage continues during this time depending on the spa.
- Ampoules and cream application. Masks removed, the spa’s ampoules, serums, and creams are applied in sequence. If you’re at a branded spa, you’ll experience their full product line in one session — a genuine way to test products you might want to buy. SPF is applied at the end. They’ll ask whether you want it, but they’ll recommend it. The answer is yes.
How long does a Korean facial take?
About one hour for the complete process. It moves efficiently, the Koreans have this down, and the hour feels like much less because of the mask rest period in the middle. Worth every minute.
How to Book
Booking is the biggest practical hurdle for visitors. Most spa websites are in Korean and phone calls require Korean language ability. The options below can all be booked in English through international booking platforms, which I’ve noted with each entry. This removes the language barrier entirely.
If you have a specific spa in mind that isn’t listed here, two booking concierge services that I have worked with personally here in Seoul that are fantastic at assisting foreign visitors are:
- Seoul Cosmetic Surgery (focused specifically on beauty treatments)
- Go Wonderfully (handles a wider range of bookings from facials to train tickets to food delivery).
Where to get a facial in Myeongdong
Myeongdong is one of the most convenient areas to get a facial in Seoul; it’s central, easy to reach, and has established options across different price points. For more on what else the neighborhood offers, read the complete Myeongdong guide.
WHOO Spa Myeongdong
The luxury option in Myeongdong. WHOO Spa uses the premium herbal products from the LG H&B brands OHUI, Whoo, and SU:M37, skincare lines with serious prestige in Korea. Clients include Korean celebrities. Expect expert technique, high-quality products, and a treatment that justifies the higher price point. Book at least two to three days in advance.
- Address: 41 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울시 중구 명동 10길 41)
- Book in advance: If you want to go here, you’ll want to book at least 2 to 3 days in advance. You can book on Klook or on Trazy or on kkday.
Abijou Clinic
Abijou operates across multiple districts and has been in business since 2006 — which for a Seoul beauty clinic is a meaningful track record. They offer both clinical treatments (Botox, Rejuran, Juvelook) and more straightforward facials and skincare treatments. Multilingual staff with a network of over 60 interpreters. Pricing is the same for foreigners and Koreans. The clinic is direct and clear about every step of what they’re doing and why, no upselling ambiguity.
- Address: Timework Building B1, 81 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 남대문로 78 타임워크빌딩 B1층)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:30am ~ 2:00pm/3:00pm ~ 8:30pm; Saturday: 10:00am ~ 4:00pm
- Book in advance: You can book exclusively on Creatrip to visit Abijou Clinic.
HERA Esthetic Spa
A mid-range luxury option using HERA brand products. The signature treatments include a 24k gold mask, acupressure work, and a calm, unhurried approach that makes this feel more like a spa day than a clinical visit.
- Address: 12-14 Chungmuro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울시 중구 충무로 2가 12-14)
- Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm
- Book in advance: You can book an appointment in advance on kkday.
Where to Get a Facial in Hongdae
Hongdae is popular enough with tourists that beauty services here are well-equipped for non-Korean visitors. For more on the neighborhood, read the complete Hongdae guide.
Shin Jiyoon Skin Care
A non-clinical approach for those who want the spa experience without the clinical environment. Treatments include V-line contouring, ice lifting, and facial contouring with strong customer reviews. The atmosphere is calm and spa-like rather than medical.
- Address: 11th floor, 156 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 양화로 156 11F)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00am ~ 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am ~ 4:00pm
- Book in advance: You can book exclusively on Creatrip for this experience.
Abijou Clinic
They provide both cosmetic options like Botox, Rejuran, and Juvelook, as well as more affordable facials and skincare treatments. A popular quick in and out experience. They have a multilingual staff and over 60 interpreters in their network. They don’t have different pricing for foreigners and Koreans are very up front about what they’re doing and why.
- Address: 3rd floor, 147 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 양화로 147 3F)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:30am ~ 2:00pm/3:00pm ~ 8:30pm; Saturday: 10:00am ~ 4:30pm
- Book in advance: You can book exclusively on Creatrip to visit Abijou Clinic.
Where to get a facial in Gangnam
Gangnam is Seoul’s beauty treatment heartland. Walk down the streets around Apgujeong or Sinsa and you’ll spot the signs of clinics, dermatologists, and spa brands at every turn. The concentration here is unmatched. For more on the neighborhood, read the complete Gangnam guide.
Abijou Clinic
They provide both cosmetic options like Botox, Rejuran, and Juvelook, as well as more affordable facials and skincare treatments. They have been in business since 2006 and are one of the most trusted by locals and tourists alike. They have a multilingual staff and over 60 interpreters that they can call upon which makes the visit easy to understand and efficient. They don’t have different pricing for foreigners and Koreans are very up front about what they’re doing and why.
- Address: 11 Seocho-daero 73-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울 서초구 서초대로73길 11)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm; Saturday: 9:30am ~ 4:30pm
- Book in advance: You can book exclusively on Creatrip to visit Abijou Clinic.
SPA 1978
Run by Cheongkwanjang, one of Korea’s most respected ginseng brands, SPA 1899 is built around red ginseng treatments, a signature Korean wellness ingredient that’s been used for centuries. This is not just a branded spa experience for the sake of branding; the treatments are genuinely distinctive and you won’t find the same thing elsewhere.
- Address: KT&G Tower, 1002, Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울시 강남구 대치동 1002 KT&G Tower)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00am ~ 11:00pm
- Book in advance: You can book an appointment here on Klook.
AHC Play Zone Spa
A luxury Gangnam spa from the AHC skincare brand. Treatment options include an anti-aging facial, an acupressure-based V-line contouring treatment designed to flush toxins and reshape the face structure, an aesthe balance facial using hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, and a signature facial that walks through AHC’s flagship product line. I really enjoy their product line so trust this brand for facials too.
- Address: 237 Dosan-daero, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울시 강남구 신사동 도산대로 237)
- Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm
- Book in advance: You can book an appointment here on Trazy.
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FAQ
How much do Korean facials cost in Korea?
Korean facials typically run approximately ₩60,000 to ₩150,000 depending on the spa, the treatment, and the products used. Neighborhood walk-in spas are at the lower end; luxury branded treatments at places like WHOO Spa are at the higher end. Prices have generally increased in recent years — verify the current rate when booking. Koreans often get facials weekly or bi-weekly, which is reflected in the accessibility of the pricing.
What’s the difference between a Korean facial and an American facial?
Korean facials typically use chemical or enzyme exfoliants rather than physical scrubbing after cleansing, a gentler approach that focuses on dissolving dead skin cells rather than scrubbing them off. Korean toners are hydrating rather than astringent. The massage portion uses deliberate pressure on acupressure points for contouring and stimulation, not just relaxation, expect firmer pressure than you might be used to. SPF is applied at the end as standard practice. Korean dermatologists and aestheticians consider sun protection a non-negotiable final step.
Do you tip at a spa in Korea?
No. Tipping is not expected at Korean spas or clinics. If you offer a tip, the staff may attempt to return it, assuming you’ve given too much by mistake. Leave without tipping and you have done exactly the right thing.
Do I need to speak Korean to get a facial in Seoul?
Not at the spas and clinics listed in this guide, all are bookable in English through international platforms and have English-speaking or multilingual staff. For other spas not on this list, the concierge services Seoul Cosmetic Surgery and Go Wonderfully can handle booking and communication on your behalf.
Is it safe to get a facial in Seoul as a foreigner?
Yes. The spas listed here have established track records with international visitors. Abijou Clinic explicitly maintains the same pricing for Koreans and foreigners and is transparent about every procedure. Licensed Korean aestheticians undergo rigorous training. The clinical options (Botox, fillers) require the same medical oversight as anywhere else, the clinics listed here are long-established and legitimate. If you’re considering any clinical treatment beyond a standard facial, the same due diligence applies as it would anywhere.
What should I know before my first Korean facial?
The most important thing to know is the mask step. At some point during the treatment, a series of masks will be applied while your eyes are closed, you won’t be able to see and the masks can feel heavy. If you have any tendency toward claustrophobia, prepare for this mentally before arriving. It passes quickly and you’ll be left to rest during this step. Once you’ve done it once it becomes completely unremarkable.
What is a Korean glass skin facial?
Glass skin refers to the Korean beauty ideal of skin so clear, hydrated, and luminous that it resembles glass. A glass skin facial is specifically designed to achieve this, typically involving deep hydration, brightening treatments, and layered essence application. Several of the luxury spas listed here offer variations on this treatment. Ask specifically for glass skin or yulia treatments when booking if this is your goal.
Getting a facial in Seoul is one of those experiences that feels luxurious for the price, the quality of care, the products, and the time spent are genuinely exceptional by any international comparison. Book one through the platforms listed above, know what’s coming at the mask stage, and leave without tipping. The rest takes care of itself.
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