Reasons for Korean skincare’s skyrocketing growth within the last several years.
Customers can find many skincare products made all around the world. However, South Korea’s beauty products are taking the world by storm. From influencers and celebrities to the everyday individual, Korean beauty skin care – or K-Beauty, as many call it – has a high global demand.
Of all the industries and countries, why is Korean beauty so popular? There are several reasons why the beauty industry in South Korea saw a 7.64 trillion South Korean won (or US $5.8 billion) market size in 2021. Here are some reasons for Korean skincare’s skyrocketing growth within the last several years.
1. Korean Skin Care Prevents Skin Problems Instead of Hiding or Minimizing Them
Prevention is better than the cure, and beauty consumers realized this in the last few years when they shifted from makeup to skin care products. However, not all skin care products are made equal. In particular, K-Beauty products are designed to prevent skin problems from developing rather than letting the skin condition develop and then treating it after the fact.
Compared to makeup products, skin care products treat skin issues instead of hiding them. Unlike other skin care products, Korean skin care focuses more on preventative than retroactive care. This focus is a significant advantage for those prone to issues like acne breakouts, which could lead to scarring and skin discoloration, which can be even more challenging to treat.
2. Korean Skin Care Products Focus on Keeping Your Skin Healthy
Korean culture heavily values beauty from the inside and out. While makeup and cosmetic products focus on outer aesthetics, Korean beauty focuses on creating a flawless complexion by keeping your skin healthy inside and out.
As a result, more consumers are turning to Korean skin care products as they improve the overall appearance of their skin through natural and healthy methods. This aligns with the growing trend of the beauty community now leaning towards natural beauty and barely-there makeup.
3. K-Beauty Skin Care Uses Natural and Organic Ingredients
Over the last few years, more consumers have become conscious about the ingredients in things like skin care products. Organic and natural elements were less harsh on the skin than artificial chemicals, had fewer fillers, and were more eco-friendly and sustainable.
In terms of this, K-Beauty stands out as a market for natural ingredients. Most Korean beauty skin care products use organic ingredients like herbs, aloe vera, snail slime, plant oils, and other natural substances found in nature. On top of these having natural reactions to a user’s body, the risk of irritation is lower compared to products that use artificial ingredients.
4. K-Beauty Products Are Affordable But Effective
Expensive products don’t always mean the most effective; K-Beauty products are an example. Korean skin care products are normally priced on the cheaper to mid-range line compared to other skin care products. However, many attest to the effectiveness of various K-Beauty brands, showing that affordable skin care products don’t necessarily mean cheap quality.
K-Beauty products also have more affordable alternatives to expensive skin care products and skin treatments. With organic ingredients and the latest in their beauty industry, Korean beauty skin care products stay accessible to the everyday person.
5. Gentle for All Skin Types
Those with combination skin types and sensitive skin can find searching for suitable skin care products difficult. However, because only 44.6% of Americans and 38.4% of Europeans have sensitive skin, there are few options in the western market suitable for all skin types.
In Korea, 56.8% of Koreans reported having sensitive skin. This is why its market has plenty of hypoallergenic and gentle skin care products suitable for all skin types. Those with sensitive skin or combination skin can find a broader range of products catering to their skin in the K-Beauty industry.
6. South Korea Is Serious About Natural Beauty
South Korea has a significant market when it comes to skin care and cosmetics, and this is partly due to its culture. Koreans are very knowledgeable about beauty and cosmetics, so their skin care products are made with the highest standards to achieve a flawless “glass skin” appearance.
As a result, their industrial technology and innovations are one of the highest in the world. With many Koreans looking for the latest trends and best practices in skin care, this translates to a K-Beauty market constantly meeting these demands.
7. There’s a Variety of Products
K-Beauty has an extensive range of products allowing customers to mix and match and build their personalized skin care routine. Many have heard of the Korean 10-step skin care routine, and those serious about nourishing and improving their skin can follow this ritual regularly in the morning and the evening.
Those who don’t have the time to follow all these steps can opt to focus on the K-Beauty products that benefit their skin type and condition. These include:
- Cleansers
- Toners
- Serums
- Moisturizers
- Eye Creams
- Acne Spot Treatments
- Sunscreen
- Creams
- Mask Sheets, Mask Packs, and Spot Patches
8. Korean Skin Care Ingredients Are Historically Effective
Korean culture has valued beauty for a long time, with Koreans glorifying flawless and healthy skin. Koreans prefer to appear naturally flawless through organic and gentle ingredients.
Though K-Beauty products have come a long way, the philosophy behind their beauty standards remains. This is why Korean brands are dedicated to creating products that help boost their customer’s natural beauty by achieving healthier skin.
