If you've been reading about Korean skin boosters lately, you've probably seen Re2O — sometimes typed as "Re20". Launched in Korea in late 2024, it became one of the most talked-about treatments in Seoul dermatology clinics in 2025, to the point that clinics across the country reported running out of stock. This guide explains what it actually is, what it costs, and how to fit it into a trip to Korea.
What is Re2O?
Re2O (Korean name: 리투오, full name Elravie Re2O) is an injectable skin booster made by the Korean tissue company L&C Bio and distributed in Korea by Humedix. The name is written with a letter "O", but many people search for it as "Re20".
What makes it different is the ingredient. Re2O is made from hADM — human acellular dermal matrix: donated human skin tissue that has been processed to remove cells and immune-triggering components while keeping its 3D structure. That structure is the extracellular matrix (ECM) — the collagen, elastin and other components that form the "scaffolding" of your skin.
- Each syringe contains 150 mg of ECM powder, mixed with a liquid just before treatment.
- Most skin boosters work indirectly — they encourage your skin to build its own collagen. Re2O is designed to supply structural material directly, which is why it's often called an "ECM booster".
- Clinics use it for overall skin quality: texture, density, pores, fine lines and dullness.
It's popular: according to Korean industry data, about 120,000 units of Re2O were distributed in 2025, roughly a fifth of all skin-derived tissue products used that year.
Re2O vs Rejuran vs Juvelook
These are the three skin boosters international visitors ask about most. They're not interchangeable — each works differently. (New to skin boosters in general? Start with our skin booster basics.)
| Re2O | Rejuran | Juvelook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key ingredient | Human-derived ECM (hADM) | PN — DNA fragments from salmon | PDLLA + hyaluronic acid |
| How it works | Replenishes skin structure directly | Supports skin repair and regeneration | Stimulates your own collagen production |
| Often chosen for | Texture, density, overall skin quality | Damaged, sensitive or tired skin | Volume loss, acne scars, fine lines |
Some clinics combine boosters, and the right choice depends on your skin — this is a conversation to have with the doctor at your consultation.
How much does Re2O cost in Korea?
Prices vary by clinic and by how much product is used. Based on prices published by Korean clinics in 2026:
- One session (one 150 mg syringe, often listed as 5–6 cc): about ₩600,000–₩800,000 (roughly US$430–580; exchange rates vary).
- Three-session packages: from about ₩2,100,000 at some clinics.
- Promotional prices on booking apps can be much lower — but check the dose. A "3 cc" deal is about half a standard syringe.
Two things international patients should know:
- VAT: some clinics quote prices excluding 10% VAT. Korea's VAT refund for foreign patients on cosmetic procedures ended on 31 December 2025, so you won't get that 10% back at the airport. Always ask whether a quote includes VAT.
- Foreigner pricing: reputable clinics charge international patients the same as locals. If your quote is far above the ranges here, ask why.
What happens during the treatment
- Consultation — the doctor checks your skin and confirms Re2O suits you (or suggests an alternative).
- Numbing cream — usually applied for around 30 minutes.
- Injections — the product is injected across the treatment area, by hand or with an injector device. This part typically takes 15–30 minutes.
- Soothing care — many clinics finish with a calming mask or LED.
Plan for about 1–1.5 hours at the clinic in total. Clinics generally describe Re2O as less painful than many other boosters, but you will feel the injections.
Downtime and aftercare
- Day 0–2: small bumps at the injection points and some redness are normal. They usually settle within 1–2 days.
- Up to 3–5 days: some people get mild swelling or small bruises.
- Makeup: most clinics allow it from the next day.
- Avoid for 2–3 days: saunas and jjimjilbang, alcohol, intense exercise, and rubbing or massaging your face.
- Every day: sunscreen and gentle, simple skincare.
How many sessions — and how to plan your trip
Korean clinics usually recommend a course of about 3 sessions. The spacing varies by clinic — anywhere from 4 weeks to 2–3 months apart. Clinics report that results after a full course can last around a year, but this varies from person to person and long-term data is still limited.
That schedule doesn't fit a single holiday, so most visitors either:
- Do one session per trip and continue on their next visit to Korea, or
- Do one session in Korea and ask whether a clinic at home offers Re2O for follow-ups. It's now available in some clinics outside Korea, including the UK and Singapore.
Trip tips:
- Book early in your trip, ideally at least 2–3 days before your flight home, so bumps have time to settle.
- Confirm stock when you book. Re2O has had nationwide shortages, and some clinics run out.
- Low downtime means you can usually keep sightseeing the next day — just skip the sauna.
Is Re2O safe?
Re2O is processed with L&C Bio's patented AlloClean technology, which removes donor cells and the components associated with immune reactions. Korea has used processed human dermis in surgery for years, but using it as a cosmetic skin booster is new.
Something worth knowing: in Korea, human-tissue boosters like Re2O are regulated as human tissue products, not as drugs or medical devices. That means their cosmetic effects haven't gone through a drug-style product approval. Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety proposed stricter side-effect reporting for these products in 2026 as the market grew rapidly.
In practice, that means choosing your clinic carefully matters more than usual:
- Have it done by a licensed doctor at a registered clinic — not a salon.
- Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection, an autoimmune condition, or a history of allergic reactions.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is this genuine Elravie Re2O? Can I see the sealed product before treatment?
- How much product will I get — a full 150 mg syringe, or less?
- Does the price include VAT?
- Will a doctor do the injections?
- Is English (or my language) support available on the day?
- Who do I contact if I have a concern after I've left Korea?
Key points
- Re2O (often searched as "Re20") is a Korean ECM skin booster made from processed human dermis (hADM), launched in November 2024.
- It aims to replenish skin structure directly, unlike boosters that only stimulate collagen.
- Expect about ₩600,000–₩800,000 per session in Seoul; check the dose and whether VAT is included.
- Clinics suggest about 3 sessions; one session per trip is common.
- Downtime is short: bumps and redness for 1–2 days, occasionally longer.
- It's regulated as a human tissue product in Korea, so choose a reputable, doctor-led clinic.
