K-beauty & global cosmetics news
New launches, market data, and shifting trends — insight, not advertising.
MFDS to Host '2026 Global Cosmetics Regulatory Authority Summit' on September 7, Discuss AI Safety Assessment
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) will host the '2026 Global Cosmetics Regulatory Authority Summit (GCORAS)' in Seoul on September 7, coinciding with 'Cosmetics Day'. The summit will delve into the latest global regulatory trends, including changes in cosmetic regulations within the EU, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as case studies on AI-powered safety assessments.
Amazon Unveils 5 Key K-Beauty Global Growth Trends Based on 2026 Prime Day Data
Amazon has revealed five key trends driving K-beauty's global growth, based on its 2026 Prime Day sales data and marketplace analysis. New product launches, market diversification, enhanced operational efficiency, leveraging social marketing, and category expansion were identified as core growth strategies.
Olive Young Boosts North American Presence with 'K-Beauty Edit' Launch in 580 US Sephora Stores
CJ Olive Young is set to officially launch the 'Olive Young K-Beauty Edit' in approximately 580 US Sephora offline stores and its online mall starting August 20 (local time), significantly enhancing K-beauty's accessibility to the North American market. This partnership combines Olive Young's K-beauty curation expertise with Sephora's extensive distribution network to introduce 19 brands and approximately 150 K-skincare products across the United States.
High-Adherence Beauty Market Soars Amid Hot, Humid Climate: Fixers & Primers Take Center Stage
As hot and humid summer climates persist globally, demand for 'high-adherence beauty' products that enhance makeup longevity is surging. Makeup fixers and primers, in particular, are being prominently displayed on retail shelves, driving significant market growth.
K-Beauty Exports Hit Record $7 Billion in H1, Fueled by 1st-Gen Roadshop Brands' U.S. Offline Resurgence
K-Beauty exports surpassed $7 billion in the first half of 2026, setting a new all-time record. This growth was primarily driven by the expansion of offline distribution channels in the U.S. market and the international resurgence of first-generation K-Beauty roadshop brands. Moving beyond online platforms like Amazon, K-Beauty is now expanding its presence into major U.S. offline retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Sephora, solidifying its position as a mainstream consumer product.
K-Beauty Exports Hit All-Time High of $7 Billion in H1 2026; US Becomes Top Export Market
K-Beauty exports surpassed $7 billion in H1 2026, marking an all-time high. The US notably emerged as the largest export market, surpassing China, while strong growth in emerging markets like Europe and Latin America accelerates market diversification.
K-Beauty Accelerates Summer Color Makeup Market Push with 'Jelly-core' Trend: Cosmax Expands Transparent, Refreshing Formulations
Global cosmetics ODM Cosmax is expanding its range of transparent and refreshing 'Jelly-core' formulations, targeting the summer color makeup market. This trend is also connected to the 'skincaring makeup' movement, which combines skincare and makeup, offering consumers new experiences.
K-Beauty Accelerates Global Market Push with 'RX' Derma Cosmetics (Brands like COSRX See Improved Performance)
Skin science-based 'RX' cosmetics are emerging as a new growth engine for the K-beauty market. Major brands like COSRX are gaining global consumer attention with their expertise and active ingredient-focused products, showing strong performance in the US and EMEA markets.
TIRTIR Participates as Official K-Beauty Brand for 'BTS THE CITY NEW YORK'…Launches Limited Edition 'Perfect Setting Duo'
Global makeup brand TIRTIR is participating as an official K-beauty partner in 'BTS THE CITY NEW YORK,' held in New York, USA, starting July 24th. The brand will specifically introduce the 'BTS THE CITY NEW YORK Perfect Setting Duo,' a base makeup special set optimized for concert environments, expanding its engagement with global fans.
K-Beauty Exports to Europe Surpass North America in H1 2026, Reaching $1.52 Billion
In H1 2026, K-beauty exports to the European market recorded approximately $1.52 billion, surpassing North America, which was previously the largest market. This demonstrates the successful establishment of high-quality functional skincare products from Korean indie brands among European consumers.
New&AI Kicks Off Development of ₩3.5 Billion K-Beauty Export Marketing AI Platform
New&AI, an industry-tailored AI analytics firm, is launching the development of a ₩3.5 billion AI platform to bolster the international marketing efforts of small and medium-sized K-beauty businesses. The platform aims to automate global market entry strategies for SMB and indie K-beauty brands by analyzing worldwide beauty market data.
K-Beauty Enters 'Third Growth Phase' Driven by Europe, Suncare, and Haircare
Analysis suggests the K-Beauty market has entered a 'third growth phase,' expanding beyond its traditional focus on China and the US to new regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Notably, strong growth in the European market, coupled with suncare and haircare products, is driving this new export momentum.
K-Beauty's 'Phase 3' Structural Growth Takes Off as European Exports Surpass North America
K-Beauty has entered 'Phase 3,' moving beyond its China and US-centric growth to record explosive growth in the European market. This phase is accompanied by expansion beyond online channels into local offline stores and diversification of product categories, including sun care and hair.
Indonesia Mandates Halal Certification for K-Beauty from October; MFDS Dispatches Public-Private Support Team
Indonesia will mandate halal certification for imported cosmetics starting October 17th, necessitating swift action from domestic beauty companies. In response, Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) plans to dispatch a public-private joint support team to Indonesia to discuss system improvements and ease the export burden on Korean firms.
K-Beauty Under Pressure: 62.6% of Packaging 'Difficult to Recycle' Amidst Global Sustainability Push
As demand for sustainability intensifies in the K-Beauty market, a significant challenge has emerged: over 60% of domestic cosmetic packaging is classified as difficult to recycle. Major global markets, including the European Union (EU), are set to enforce stringent mandatory recycling and refill regulations for cosmetic packaging from 2026, compelling the industry to adapt.
K-Beauty's AI Transformation Accelerates: Fasoo AI Partners with Lian Hair to Build 'Hyper-Personalized Beauty Platform'
As the Artificial Intelligence (AI) transformation (AX) of the K-Beauty market accelerates, domestic company Fasoo AI is collaborating with hair salon franchise Lian Hair to build an AI beauty platform. This platform will offer virtual simulations and customized hairstyle recommendations based on hyper-personalized data, aiming to target the global beauty tech market.
K-retail and K-beauty Accelerate Mongolian Market Penetration Amidst Principal Agreement on Korea-Mongolia CEPA: K-beauty Imports Hit $44.93 Million in 2025
South Korea and Mongolia have recently reached a principal agreement on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signaling further expansion for K-beauty in the Mongolian market. K-retail brands such as CU and GS25 are already experiencing significant local success, while K-beauty product imports reached $44.93 million in 2025, a 21.6% increase from the previous year.
NIQ Report: K-Beauty Sees 135% Explosive Growth in Latin American Market and 430% Surge in Global Sales via TikTok Shop
According to the latest report from global market research firm NIQ, K-Beauty recorded 131% global sales growth over the past two years, establishing itself as a new growth engine for the global beauty market. Notably, sales in the Latin American market surged by 135%, and K-Beauty brand sales via TikTok Shop increased by 430% year-on-year, highlighting significant regional and channel diversification.
Amazon Prime Day 2026 K-Beauty: Skinification and PDRN Ingredient Trends Emerge
Recent data analysis from Amazon Prime Day reveals that the 'skinification' trend is expanding into the scalp and hair care sectors within the K-beauty market, alongside a surge in interest for PDRN ingredients. Medicube's 'Zero Pore Pad' secured the top spot in the Beauty & Personal Care category for two consecutive years, demonstrating K-beauty's strong performance, particularly in skincare.
NIQ Report: K-Beauty Global Sales Surge 53%, Social Commerce Drives Growth
According to global consumer intelligence company NIQ, K-beauty's worldwide sales grew 53% year-over-year and 131% over the past two years. Strong growth on social commerce platforms and regional innovation are driving K-beauty's global expansion.
K-Beauty ETF Listing Imminent on US NYSE, Unlocking Global Investment
As K-Beauty exports hit an all-time high in the first half of 2026, the listing of a specialized K-Beauty ETF on the US New York Stock Exchange is taking shape. This is projected to positively influence global investor sentiment towards the K-Beauty industry and contribute to mid-to-long-term supply and demand stability.
K-Beauty's Hair Product Exports Surge 30.6% in H1…Accelerating Global Expansion of Haircare Market
The K-Beauty industry is accelerating its global market expansion, showing unprecedented growth in the haircare sector beyond color cosmetics and basic skincare. Notably, from January to May this year, exports of hair products recorded $232.72 million, a 30.6% increase compared to the previous year.
Korean ODMs Forecast Record-Breaking Q3 2026 Performance… 'H1 Boom, H2 Bust' Formula Broken
The traditional 'H1 boom, H2 bust' formula in the K-beauty market is being shattered in H2 2026, with Korean cosmetics ODM companies forecasting record-breaking performance even in Q3. Due to an overwhelming surge in orders, production lines are running at full capacity, with some companies even having to decline requests for additional production.
K-Beauty's Summer 2026 'Sun Serum' Craze: Transaction Volume Jumps 149% YoY
Sun serums are experiencing an explosive surge in popularity within the K-Beauty market in Summer 2026, spearheading a new sun care trend. Hybrid products that combine UV protection with comprehensive skincare benefits are garnering significant consumer interest.
'Keyring Beauty' Surges as Summer Holiday Season Approaches, Monclos PDRN Sun Cream Gains Attention
The 'Keyring Beauty' trend, which satisfies both portability and personal preference, is rapidly emerging as the summer holiday season approaches. Monclos is gaining significant consumer interest by introducing its PDRN hydrating sun cream in a keyring format.
Soothing and Moisture Barrier Products Dominate Shopee K-Beauty in June 2026
In June 2026, d'Alba Vital Spray Serum and VT Cosmetics Cica Reti-A Mask Pack garnered significant attention as rapidly rising popular brands in the Shopee K-Beauty market. This surge is attributed to the concentrated demand for soothing and moisture barrier care products, catering to skin easily irritated by Southeast Asia's hot climate.
K-Beauty Market Achieves $11.4 Billion in Exports, Driven by 'Time-Performance' Quick Beauty Trend
South Korea's cosmetics exports reached approximately $11.4 billion in 2025, setting a new all-time high. This surge is attributed to the 'quick beauty' trend, which emphasizes 'time-performance' (시성비). High-function minimalism, skip-care makeup, and multi-use formulas are boosting consumer satisfaction and driving market growth.
YSL Beauty Introduces Luxury Cushion Foundation Refills to Mark 'World Refill Day'
Global luxury brand YSL Beauty has expanded its refill options for luxury makeup products, coinciding with 'World Refill Day'. Notably, by introducing a tube-type refill for its bestseller, the 'Encre de Peau Cushion', the brand is setting a new benchmark for the sustainable beauty market.
Tmall K-Beauty Toner Market Sees 46.4% Sales Plunge in June 2026
In June 2026, sales of the top 10 K-beauty toner products on China's Tmall platform plummeted by 46.4% year-over-year, indicating a significant contraction in the market. Amidst this downturn, Anua performed relatively well by maintaining its sales volume.
K-Beauty Declares Evolution into a 'Science Industry' Driven by Bio, AI, and Data
K-Beauty, rooted in Hallyu (the Korean Wave), is evolving into a 'science industry' that combines biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data-driven personalized services. This signifies an expansion of the industry's scope beyond simple cosmetics manufacturing, to include skin diagnostics, bio-materials, and customized formulations.
K-Beauty M&As by Global Beauty Giants Fall Short of Expectations
K-beauty brands recently acquired by global beauty giants like Estée Lauder and Unilever have recorded performance below expectations, drawing attention to the underlying reasons. Changing market environments and the loss of K-beauty brands' inherent agility are cited as key causes.
US K-Beauty Imports Overtake France for the First Time in 2026
In 2026, Korea passed France to become the top source of US cosmetics imports. We break down the customs data and what drove it.
2026 Sephora K-Beauty Bestsellers: What US Shoppers Actually Buy
We analyze Sephora US’s H1 2026 K-beauty bestsellers — which Korean products American shoppers actually reach for.
Don’t just read — try it on your own selfie
Pick from 9 K-beauty looks and see it on your own face. First one is free.
Start AI Makeuparrow_forward