The Korean cosmetics industry is booming and the popularity of K-beauty products has been growing worldwide. The reason behind the success of these beauty brands is because of the focus on quality and results-oriented skincare with gentle yet effective ingredients such as snail mucin, ginseng, and niacinamide. There are also many K-beauty trends that have been adapted and adopted by the global beauty world such as double-cleansing, “glass skin” (poreless finish), and the use of acid exfoliators.
Some of the best korean cosmetics companies include Hera, Sulwhasoo, and IOPE. Hera and Sulwhasoo are sister brands that both offer skincare and makeup products, however, Hera is more focused on the luxury side of their business while Sulwhasoo offers a more organic and natural approach to skin care. IOPE on the other hand takes a more scientific and modern approach to skincare with their use of new technology and advancements in beauty research.
Another company that has seen a surge in growth recently is 3CE. This brand is a subsidiary of GS Retail which did a major rebrand in 2017 to target millennials with their eco-friendly and natural products. Their budget-friendly products are also high in quality and have become a hit.
Lastly, another popular brand is Nature Republic. This is a large company that offers a wide selection of makeup and skincare products. You can find their stores all over Seoul and they even have a few in the US. This brand is more affordable than other Korean brands and they primarily focus on skincare products. korean cosmetics companies