I’m not even going to lie—I went to Costco that day for frozen dumplings and a five-pound bag of spinach. Nothing fancy. Just a chill grocery run on a lazy Saturday afternoon. You know the vibe: oversized carts, free samples, and the occasional dangerous detour through the home goods aisle (yes, I did briefly consider a blender I do not need). But somehow, I ended up walking past the health and beauty section—a place I usually skip because, let’s be real, I never expect to find anything truly good for my face there.

But this time? This time was different.

Right at the end of the aisle, there was a stack of big white boxes that stopped me in my tracks. The packaging was simple—white tubes with a little green—and the words “Skin1004 Centella Soothing Cream” stared back at me like a message from the skincare gods. I blinked. I stared. I picked it up and turned it over. Was I really seeing a legit Korean centella cream set in Costco? For $19.99 for two full-size tubes?

I had to double check. I whipped out my phone, Googled it right there between the supplements and shampoos. Yup—verified. This was the real Skin1004 cream. A brand I’d seen on TikTok and raved about on Reddit threads for being ultra-soothing and good for sensitive or acne-prone skin. I’ve had this brand on my wishlist forever, but honestly? Import prices and shipping fees always made me hesitate. One 75ml tube goes for $17.00 at Olive Young. But now I was staring at two 100ml tubes for under $20. That’s over twice the amount of product for basically the same price.

To give some context, I have oily skin. Like, I swear I just washed my face and it’s shiny again oily. Most moisturizers either clog my pores or just sit on top of my skin like an oily film. I’ve gone through so many brands that claim to be “lightweight” or “gel-based,” only to end up regretting them a week later when my cheeks break out. So the idea of a lightweight Korean cream made with centella (aka cica) that people say helps calm and balance skin? It was basically the unicorn I’d been hunting for.

And here it was. At Costco. For an insane deal. I didn’t even hesitate—I tossed it into my cart like I was on a game show and it was the final round. You know how Costco’s inventory is kind of like a roulette wheel? If you see something good, you grab it, because next week it might be gone. I wasn’t taking chances.

The funniest part? The woman behind me in line saw it and asked, “Is that any good?” and I said, “I don’t know yet, but it will be.” Bold claims, I know—but I had a feeling.

Product : Skin1004 Centella Soothing Cream

Skin Type : Oily

Routine : Skin1004 Cleanser - Skinfood Carrot Pad - Skin1004 Centella Soothing Cream

Packaging : A sleek white pump tube, super easy to use, hygienic, and travel-friendly.

Texture : Creamy, but surprisingly light. It spreads easily and absorbs without leaving a greasy layer.

Feel : Hydrating but non-sticky, gives a slight cooling sensation when applied.

Final Thoughts

For my oily skin, this cream worked surprisingly well. Lightweight, calming, and perfect for a basic, effective routine—especially at a price like that. Costco, you really came through.