South Korea's cosmetics exports surpassed $10 billion for the first time in 2024, reaching $11.427 billion in 2025, an 11.5% increase year-on-year. Exports to the Middle East have also surged, with demand for K-beauty expanding in key countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The Middle East and the broader Islamic region, characterized by high purchasing power and a young consumer base, have become a new battleground for K-beauty.
The Korea Halal Industry Research Institute (Chairman Jang Geon) analyzed K-beauty import performance in 2025 across the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). OIC member countries imported $1.226 billion worth of Korean cosmetics last year, a 33.3% increase from $919.45 million in 2024. The Islamic region's share of South Korea's total cosmetics exports rose from 9.0% in 2024 to 10.7% in 2025, a 2.5-fold increase over the past five years, indicating rapid export growth to the region.
The Middle East accounted for 45.7% of total exports to the Islamic region, emerging as the representative export zone. Over the past three years, exports to the Islamic region were dominated by Southeast Asia (centered on Malaysia and Indonesia) in 2023, but leadership shifted to the Middle East starting in 2024. The UAE remains the largest Middle Eastern export destination for Korean cosmetics, while the Arab market centered on Saudi Arabia and the non-Arab Middle Eastern market centered on Turkey are rising as new export destinations.
Until 2023, Malaysia held the top spot among South Korea's export destinations in the Islamic region. From 2024, exports to the UAE began to increase, reaching $290.76 million in 2025 to claim the top position. Indonesia ranked second with $168.19 million, and Malaysia third with $162.14 million.
The Korea Halal Industry Research Institute analyzed that the diversification of exports from Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Central Asia signals a bright outlook for K-beauty.
"Exports of Korean cosmetics to Islamic countries, centered on the UAE, are increasing significantly. The UAE serves as a geopolitical hub connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa, and as a base for entering the Middle Eastern market," explained Jang Geon, Chairman of the Korea Halal Industry Research Institute.
He added, "The Middle East has a conservative culture within the Islamic region. Demand for K-beauty has surged there due to the Korean Wave. To export to the Middle East and other Islamic regions, it is important to understand business culture, laws, regulations, and halal certification trends."
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 30, 2026