The inner beauty market, once called 'edible cosmetics,' is rapidly emerging as a next-generation beauty industry combining health management and wellness consumption. As consumer trends shift toward 'Healthy Pleasure' and 'slow aging,' demand from the 2030 generation for simultaneous skin, body, and health management is expanding quickly. Cosmetics ODM companies, pharmaceutical firms, and food manufacturers are racing to secure market share through functional ingredients and formulation innovation. According to Shinhan Financial Investment Research Center on March 24, the domestic inner beauty market is estimated to have grown from KRW 1 trillion in 2024 to nearly KRW 2 trillion last year. Global market researcher Research and Markets projects the global inner beauty market will expand from approximately USD 37.7 billion last year to USD 82.7 billion by 2030. Domestic ODM companies are leading this expansion, leveraging cosmetics manufacturing expertise to enter the health functional food (HFF) sector and target global markets. Cosmax Group is strengthening its 'beauty-wellness convergence' strategy through its HFF subsidiaries Cosmax NBT and Cosmax Bio. At the recently held '2026 China Shanghai Beauty Expo (CBE),' the group showcased liquid collagen and hyaluronic acid products, as well as glutathione and vitamin formulations designed for snack-like consumption. Cosmax Bio unveiled a new 'Crunch Tab' formulation, improving the texture and stability of traditional chewable tablets to deliver a crispy mouthfeel, reflecting growing demand for jellies, chewables, and liquid stick formats. Korea Kolmar is enhancing production competitiveness through its HFF subsidiary Kolmar BNH. The completion of its Sejong 3rd plant has secured an annual production capacity of KRW 700 billion. The company is expanding production of HFF products such as 'HemoHim' and 'Centrum ImmunBoost.' Recently, it filed a trademark application for 'CLENO,' covering both cosmetics and HFF, signaling a strengthened beauty-wellness strategy.
Major brand companies are also accelerating functional ingredient and formulation differentiation. Amorepacific is expanding its inner beauty brand 'Vital Beauty' with collagen, body fat, and fatigue care product lines. LG Household & Health Care is strengthening its 'Bifium' brand with collagen and probiotic-focused offerings. Daiso has launched low-molecular collagen and hyaluronic acid products under its private brand 'Inner View by Re:Turn.' Isoi, through its lifestyle brand 'Soirom,' is proposing an inner beauty routine centered on female intimate care, targeting women's health and immunity management with patented probiotics and probiotic strains. Mid-sized pharmaceutical companies are also actively entering the market. CMG Pharmaceutical has rebranded its HFF line as 'Cha Bio Health' and launched PDRN-based inner beauty products containing 86% PDRN, combined with low-molecular fish collagen, elastin peptide, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica extract, and vitamin C. Daewon Pharmaceutical has introduced 'Hair Collagen 3X,' targeting both hair and skin health with low-molecular collagen peptide as the key ingredient. The ingredient has received triple functional certification for improving hair gloss and elasticity, skin moisturization, and protecting skin from UV damage.
Dong-A Pharmaceutical's inner beauty brand 'Ailo,' launched in 2022, operates two lines: skin inner beauty and slimming. Products include drinkable collagen with low-molecular collagen and 'Slim Cut Jelly,' a triple-functional diet HFF supporting blood sugar, body fat, and bowel management. With the functional beverage market expanding, food companies are also entering the inner beauty space. Seoul Milk Cooperative recently launched 'Collagen Water,' an RTD beverage containing 2,000mg of collagen, targeting 2030 female consumers interested in skin care. A retail industry insider commented, 'Consumers are increasingly seeking to manage not just skin care but overall health and lifestyle. Going forward, the inner beauty market will shift from competition over functional ingredients to formulation competition encompassing taste, texture, and convenient consumption experience.'
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 24, 2026