South Korea's cosmetic industry achieved record export performance last year, rising to become the world's second-largest cosmetic exporter. The cosmetic trade surplus surpassed $10 billion for the first time.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's analysis of '2025 Domestic Cosmetic Production, Export, and Import Performance,' cosmetic exports reached $11.4 billion in 2025, an 11.8% increase year-on-year. Imports totaled $1.29 billion, a 2.3% decrease, resulting in a trade surplus of $10.1 billion.
This marks the first time the cosmetic trade surplus has exceeded $10 billion. Since recording its first surplus in 2012, South Korea's cosmetic trade balance has shown steady growth.
With this performance, South Korea has become the world's second-largest cosmetic exporter. By country, South Korea's exports of $11.4 billion trail only France ($24.3 billion), while the United States fell to third place with $10.8 billion.
Key export drivers were basic skincare and color cosmetics. Basic skincare exports accounted for $8.53 billion, or 74.7% of total exports. Color cosmetics reached $1.51 billion, representing 13.2%.
By destination, the United States was the largest market with $2.2 billion, followed by China ($2.0 billion) and Japan ($1.1 billion).
South Korea exported cosmetics to 202 countries last year, an increase of 30 countries from the previous year.
Domestic cosmetic production also hit an all-time high, reaching 17.9382 trillion won ($13.8 billion), up 2.3% year-on-year. Basic skincare production accounted for 10.3177 trillion won (57.5% of total), while color cosmetics production stood at 2.8378 trillion won.
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 26, 2026