South Korea’s cosmetics exports touched a record high in 2025, supported by the global popularity of Korean culture and efforts to diversify overseas markets, official data showed on Friday.
Outbound shipments of Korean beauty products rose 12.3 per cent year-on-year to an all-time high of $11.43 billion in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Yonhap news agency reported.
Exports to the United States climbed 15.1 per cent to $2.19 billion, while shipments to China declined 19.2 per cent to $2.01 billion during the year. With sustained growth, the U.S. became the largest destination for South Korean cosmetics for the first time.
Shipments to Japan increased 5 per cent to $1.09 billion, while exports to Hong Kong surged 21.6 per cent to $705 million.
The number of countries importing South Korean cosmetics rose to 202 in 2025, compared to 172 in the previous year. Exports to Europe, the Middle East, Southwest Asia and Latin America continued to expand, even as the overall share of shipments to the U.S. and China declined, the ministry said.
By product category, skincare items such as moisturisers grew 11.6 per cent to $8.54 billion. Exports of colour cosmetics rose 12 per cent to $1.51 billion, while body cleansing products jumped 27.3 per cent to $590 million. Fragrance exports recorded the fastest growth, surging 46.2 per cent to $60 million.
Meanwhile, First Lady Kim Hea Kyung visited a Korean beauty event in Shanghai this week to support efforts by South Korean cosmetic companies to expand exports to China, the Cheong Wa Dae said.
Kim attended K-Beauty GLOW WEEK at the Fosun Foundation Art Center while accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his visit to China. She toured pop-up stores featuring new Korean beauty products, sampled items and observed Chinese influencers livestreaming from the booths.
She also participated in brief interactions with influencers, vice presidential spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said in a written briefing.
Asked about the appeal of Korean beauty products, Kim said they offer a wide range of options based on skin type and season, and reflect consumer demand quickly.
— IANS
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