A look inside an OLIVE YOUNG sun care MD’s bag

culture what's in my bag

A look inside an OLIVE YOUNG sun care MD’s bag

2026.07.24

7min

A bag may hold the things we reach for every day, but open it up and you may find a glimpse into someone’s routines, preferences, and expertise. As part of 'what’s in my bag,' an original content series by 'editorial by OLIVE YOUNG', we take a closer look at what OLIVE YOUNG employees carry with them, from everyday essentials to new discoveries, and the stories behind what they reach for every day.

“Korean sun care is evolving into a whole new generation.”

Meet Y, an MD in OLIVE YOUNG’s Daily Skincare Team, which oversees the sun care category and spends her days exploring new ways to help customers protect their skin year-round. After working across categories including health foods, fragrance, and premium beauty, she now specializes in sun care.

Y describes herself as a “sunscreen nomad,” having spent years trying different products in search of the right one. But through that process, and through her work exploring the category in depth, she discovered that finding the perfect sunscreen isn’t necessarily about settling on a single product. Instead, it can be about finding the right formula for each season. We took a peek inside her pouch to hear her sun care tips and discover the skincare essentials she keeps close.

(Interview conducted in April 2026.)

Skincare products and sunscreens are arranged on a table beside a seated person.

Q. Your makeup bag is filled with so many different sun care textures and formats. What led you to try so many?

I used to spend a lot of time searching for that one sunscreen I could call my holy grail. But after taking on the sun care category and exploring products more closely, I realized why I was never quite satisfied: I was trying to use the same sunscreen all year round.

Our skin and environment can change dramatically with the seasons, so I’ve found that sun care works best when you switch things up throughout the year. Once I started thinking about sun care seasonally, it became much easier to find combinations that really work for my skin.

Q. So you actually change your sunscreen depending on the season. What are your go-to combinations for each time of year?

For the height of summer, when sebum production increases and skin tends to feel hot, I reach for beplain Mung Bean Cooling Moisture Sunscreen. I love the refreshing cooling sensation, which instantly makes my skin feel more comfortable.

When the weather turns colder and drier in fall and winter, I highly recommend IOPE UV Shield Sun Ampoule. The ampoule texture feels nourishing and helps makeup sit smoothly without looking dry or patchy. I think it’s especially well suited to women in their 30s, like me.

For those in-between seasons, I use Dr.G Skin Boost PDRN Sun Serum. The texture is lightweight, but it contains PDRN capsules that help give the skin a plumper, more hydrated feel. It goes beyond basic UV protection to bring the benefits of skincare into your daily sun care routine.

Q. There seem to be more new textures and formats emerging in sun care than ever before.

There’s been a lot of innovation in sun care lately. Sunscreens are no longer limited to traditional creams, and we’re seeing more products designed around different skin needs and occasions. I think we’re entering a new chapter for sun care.

For easy touch-ups throughout the day, I like INNISFREE Daily UV No Sebum Sun Powder. It helps absorb excess oil while providing UV protection, making it especially handy when you’re out and about.

I’ve also been reaching for AHC Masters Icy Jelly Sun Stick. It’s compact and easy to carry, feels cooling on the skin, and goes on smoothly without leaving a sticky finish. It’s especially nice to have on hand during the warmer months.

Q. Your makeup bag also has quite a few skincare and makeup favorites beyond sun care.

I’m drawn to products that blur the line between skincare and makeup. The glow Not Dry Concealer has a hydrating texture while still covering imperfections effectively, while VIDIVICI Petal Glow Cream Blush in Peony Milk works as a blush that brings a natural glow to the skin and helps the overall complexion look fresh for longer.

I also always like to have Biodance Jelly Mist on hand to add moisture when my skin feels tired, along with lilyeve SCALP:TURN Cica PDRN No-Sebum Tonic, which is great for keeping excess oil at the roots under control during summer.

Q. Your skin looks incredibly fresh and well cared for. Do you have any personal skincare tips you swear by?

I’ve actually had the same cleansing routine since I was young. Instead of going straight in with a cleansing foam, I put cleansing water into a foaming device first and work it into a rich lather. I use that to gently remove dust and impurities from the surface of my skin, then follow with a second cleanse using a cleansing milk or foam.

My skin is also quite sensitive and tends to get red easily, so I usually go for richer, more nourishing serums and dermocosmetic creams rather than very watery formulas, which can sometimes leave my skin feeling dry. IOPE Expert PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum is one of the products I reach for, along with dermocosmetic brands like ZEROID and La Roche-Posay. I find that these kinds of products help keep my skin feeling comfortable and my skin barrier in good shape.

Q. Finally, is there anything you would like to share with readers as a sun care MD?

The heat seems to arrive earlier every year, which can make it even more challenging to keep our skin feeling balanced and comfortable.

Through OLIVE YOUNG’s sun care category, I hope we can continue helping customers discover the products that work best for their skin, lifestyle, and the season—and maybe even find their own “holy grail” sun care along the way.

A bag may hold the things we reach for every day, but open it up and you may find a glimpse into someone’s routines, preferences, and expertise. As part of 'what’s in my bag,' an original content series by 'editorial by OLIVE YOUNG', we take a closer look at what OLIVE YOUNG employees carry with them, from everyday essentials to new discoveries, and the stories behind what they reach for every day. “Korean sun care is evolving into a whole new generation.” Meet Y, an MD in OLIVE YOUNG’s Daily Skincare Team, which oversees the sun care category and spends her days exploring new ways to help customers protect their skin year-round. After working across categories including health foods, fragrance, and premium beauty, she now specializes in sun care. Y describes herself as a “sunscreen nomad,” having spent years trying different products in search of the right one. But through that process, and through her work exploring the category in depth, she discovered that finding the perfect sunscreen isn’t necessarily about settling on a single product. Instead, it can be about finding the right formula for each season. We took a peek inside her pouch to hear her sun care tips and discover the skincare essentials she keeps close. (Interview conducted in April 2026.) Q. Your makeup bag is filled with so many different sun care textures and formats. What led you to try so many? I used to spend a lot of time searching for that one sunscreen I could call my holy grail. But after taking on the sun care category and exploring products more closely, I realized why I was never quite satisfied: I was trying to use the same sunscreen all year round. Our skin and environment can change dramatically with the seasons, so I’ve found that sun care works best when you switch things up throughout the year. Once I started thinking about sun care seasonally, it became much easier to find combinations that really work for my skin. Q. So you actually change your sunscreen depending on the season. What are your go-to combinations for each time of year? For the height of summer, when sebum production increases and skin tends to feel hot, I reach for beplain Mung Bean Cooling Moisture Sunscreen. I love the refreshing cooling sensation, which instantly makes my skin feel more comfortable. When the weather turns colder and drier in fall and winter, I highly recommend IOPE UV Shield Sun Ampoule. The ampoule texture feels nourishing and helps makeup sit smoothly without looking dry or patchy. I think it’s especially well suited to women in their 30s, like me. For those in-between seasons, I use Dr.G Skin Boost PDRN Sun Serum. The texture is lightweight, but it contains PDRN capsules that help give the skin a plumper, more hydrated feel. It goes beyond basic UV protection to bring the benefits of skincare into your daily sun care routine. Q. There seem to be more new textures and formats emerging in sun care than ever before. There’s been a lot of innovation in sun care lately. Sunscreens are no longer limited to traditional creams, and we’re seeing more products designed around different skin needs and occasions. I think we’re entering a new chapter for sun care. For easy touch-ups throughout the day, I like INNISFREE Daily UV No Sebum Sun Powder. It helps absorb excess oil while providing UV protection, making it especially handy when you’re out and about. I’ve also been reaching for AHC Masters Icy Jelly Sun Stick. It’s compact and easy to carry, feels cooling on the skin, and goes on smoothly without leaving a sticky finish. It’s especially nice to have on hand during the warmer months. Q. Your makeup bag also has quite a few skincare and makeup favorites beyond sun care. I’m drawn to products that blur the line between skincare and makeup. The glow Not Dry Concealer has a hydrating texture while still covering imperfections effectively, while VIDIVICI Petal Glow Cream Blush in Peony Milk works as a blush that brings a natural glow to the skin and helps the overall complexion look fresh for longer. I also always like to have Biodance Jelly Mist on hand to add moisture when my skin feels tired, along with lilyeve SCALP:TURN Cica PDRN No-Sebum Tonic, which is great for keeping excess oil at the roots under control during summer. Q. Your skin looks incredibly fresh and well cared for. Do you have any personal skincare tips you swear by? I’ve actually had the same cleansing routine since I was young. Instead of going straight in with a cleansing foam, I put cleansing water into a foaming device first and work it into a rich lather. I use that to gently remove dust and impurities from the surface of my skin, then follow with a second cleanse using a cleansing milk or foam. My skin is also quite sensitive and tends to get red easily, so I usually go for richer, more nourishing serums and dermocosmetic creams rather than very watery formulas, which can sometimes leave my skin feeling dry. IOPE Expert PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum is one of the products I reach for, along with dermocosmetic brands like ZEROID and La Roche-Posay. I find that these kinds of products help keep my skin feeling comfortable and my skin barrier in good shape. Q. Finally, is there anything you would like to share with readers as a sun care MD? The heat seems to arrive earlier every year, which can make it even more challenging to keep our skin feeling balanced and comfortable. Through OLIVE YOUNG’s sun care category, I hope we can continue helping customers discover the products that work best for their skin, lifestyle, and the season—and maybe even find their own “holy grail” sun care along the way.