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Korean beauty exports continued their strong upward trajectory through the first nine months of 2025, reflecting sustained global demand for skincare-led innovation.
Total exports reached $8.52 billion in 9M 2025, up 15.4% YoY - the highest January–September figure on record.
Monthly export values remained above $900 million for most of 2025, peaking at $1.10 billion in September, highlighting a solid recovery from mid-year softness.
What It Means
- Consistent Double-Digit Growth: The steady YoY gains (averaging 15–20%) underline K-Beauty’s resilience amid global market volatility.
- Product Mix Shift: Basic skincare continues to dominate (≈42% of exports), while color cosmetics and hybrid formats are regaining traction.
- Diversified Demand: The US (19.7%), China (18.5%), and Japan (9.7%) remain core markets, but ASEAN and Europe are showing incremental gains.
- Export-Driven Ecosystem: Korea’s beauty industry remains powered by overseas consumption - signaling the country’s continued role as the innovation hub for global skincare.
