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Korea's cosmetics exports reached a record-breaking $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 13 percent from the same period last year, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) on Tuesday.
Korea's cosmetics exports hit a record $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025, driven by soaring U.S. demand and product diversification, despite a continued decline in exports to China. (Credit: Getty Images)
Korea's cosmetics exports hit a record $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025, driven by soaring U.S. demand and product diversification, despite a continued decline in exports to China. (Credit: Getty Images)
The first-quarter figure also marked an 18.2 percent increase from the first quarter of 2021—the second-highest export volume to date—making it the strongest first-quarter performance on record.
By month, exports dipped 5.6 percent year-on-year in January to $750 million due to the Lunar New Year holiday but rebounded strongly in February and March, with exports reaching $890 million, up 23.7 percent, and $970 million, up 24.4 percent, respectively.
China remained Korea's largest cosmetics export market in the first quarter, accounting for $520 million or 20 percent of the total. However, exports to China fell 15.3 percent from a year earlier, continuing a multi-year downtrend. The proportion of Korea’s first quarter cosmetics exports to China has steadily declined from 51.8 percent in 2021 to just 20.0 percent this year.
The U.S. followed closely with $440 million in imports, representing 16.9 percent of total exports—a 14.2 percent increase from the previous year. Japan ranked third with $270 million (10.4 percent share), up 11.9 percent.
In particular, Korea overtook France as the largest cosmetics exporter to the U.S. in 2024, according to a recent Bloomberg report citing the U.S. International Trade Commission. Korean exports to the U.S. reached $1.71 billion last year, surpassing France’s $1.26 billion. Canada, Italy, China, Mexico, the U.K., and Japan followed.
The news report highlighted the global popularity of K-pop and K-dramas as key factors driving Korean beauty’s success in the U.S. market. Korean brands are also expanding their product range beyond traditional skincare to include items such as stick balms and LED masks, supported by celebrity-driven marketing campaigns.
Strong gains in product segments, especially in US and Japan
Among product categories, basic skincare led the pack with $1.95 billion in first quarter exports, up 14.6 percent compared to the previous year, followed by color cosmetics at $360 million, up 15.6 percent, and personal cleansing products at $120 million, up 21.7 percent.
Exports to China declined across most categories. Basic skincare saw the sharpest drop, falling $60 million to $400 million, down 12.9 percent, and color cosmetics plunged 30.7 percent to $50 million.
Conversely, exports to the U.S. grew across all major product segments. Basic skincare rose $50 million to $320 million, up 17.1 percent, and personal cleansing products surged 42.9 percent to $30 million. Japan also posted gains in basic skincare, up 8.4 percent, and color cosmetics, up 34.6 percent.
Government strengthens global regulatory cooperation
To support the continued global expansion of Korean cosmetics, the MFDS is actively pursuing regulatory diplomacy with key trading partners such as the U.S. and China. In a move to tap into emerging markets, Korea plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippines Food and Drug Administration to enhance regulatory cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Additionally, the MFDS said it will provide timely updates on evolving regulations in traditional markets and high-potential regions such as the Middle East and South America via its Global Cosmetic Regulatory Harmonization Support Center.
As countries including the U.S. and China implement new safety evaluation systems for cosmetics, Korea is also preparing to adopt similar standards. The government plans to establish support frameworks and specialized institutions to help the industry adapt to new safety assessment requirements.
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Lee Han-soo corea022@docdocdoc.co.kr
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