South Korea's beauty industry, called K-Beauty, is growing very fast. In 2025, South Korea sold $13.7 billion worth of cosmetics to other countries. This is 21 percent more than the year before. It is the highest amount ever recorded. The Korea Customs Service shared this information in March 2026.
Why is K-Beauty so popular? Korean companies spend a lot of money on research. They make products with natural ingredients like ginseng, green tea, and fermented rice. These ingredients are mixed with modern science. Shoppers around the world like to know exactly what is in their products. K-pop music and Korean TV dramas also help make K-Beauty famous. On social media apps like Instagram and TikTok, many influencers show their Korean skincare routines to millions of people.
Two big companies lead the industry. Amorepacific owns well-known brands like Sulwhasoo, Laneige, and Innisfree. In 2025, it made about $3.5 billion in sales. LG Household & Health Care owns The History of Whoo and su:m37°. Its beauty division made 2.1 trillion won. Smaller brands are also doing well. COSRX makes affordable acne treatments. Beauty of Joseon uses traditional Korean herbal recipes. Both brands are very popular in North America and Europe.
K-Beauty is growing in many new countries. In 2025, exports to the United States went up 34 percent. The EU bought $1.9 billion of Korean beauty products. The United Arab Emirates saw a 41 percent increase. Brazil grew 29 percent and Mexico grew 33 percent.
The South Korean government is helping the industry grow. In 2024, it gave 120 billion won to help small companies sell products abroad. A government agency called KOTRA opened K-Beauty centers in 15 cities, including Dubai, São Paulo, and Lagos. These centers help companies understand new markets.