South Korea is set to surpass the United States for the first time in 2025 to become the world’s second-largest cosmetics exporter, according to data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on May 23. The country’s cosmetics exports reached a record high of $11.4 billion last year, up 11.8% year-on-year, overtaking the US ($10.8 billion) and trailing only France ($24.3 billion). South Korea’s cosmetics industry also crossed the $10 billion mark for the first time, reaching $10.1 billion in exports, while imports stood at just $1.29 billion. This represents the highest trade surplus in the sector since 2012, when the country began recording a surplus. The cosmetics industry now accounts for approximately 12.9% of South Korea’s total trade surplus of $78 billion in 2025. In terms of export markets, the US became the largest destination for South Korean cosmetics for the first time, with sales rising 15% to $2.2 billion. Exports to China, however, fell 19% to $2 billion. Japan ranked third with $1.1 billion, followed by Hong Kong (China), Vietnam, Russia, and Taiwan (China). The number of export destinations increased from 172 countries in 2024 to 202 last year. Notably, exports to Poland surged 111.7% and to the UAE 67.2%, indicating rapidly growing demand for K-beauty products in Europe and the Middle East.
Skincare products continued to dominate, with sales reaching $8.5 billion, accounting for 74.7% of total cosmetics exports. Makeup products reached $1.5 billion, representing 13.2%. South Korea’s domestic cosmetics production value also hit a record high of 17.9 trillion won ($11.8 billion), up 2.3% year-on-year. LG H&H Group led production with 3.9 trillion won, followed by Amorepacific with 3 trillion won.
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 25, 2026