South Korea's beauty industry posted a strong Q1 recovery, with 84 companies averaging 46.9 billion won in gross profit, up 13.3% year-on-year. APR surged 127.5% to top growth, while April exports hit a record $1.374 billion. This signals a structural shift: manufacturers now lead product planning and trend-setting, moving beyond simple OEM/ODM, which overseas buyers should watch for sourcing and partnership opportunities.
Q1 Financial Highlights
Among 84 analyzed beauty firms, average gross profit reached 46.9 billion won in Q1 2025, up 13.3% from a year earlier. Amorepacific Holdings led in absolute profit at 902.8 billion won, but APR posted the highest growth rate at 127.5%, achieving 456.9 billion won. Other strong performers included Dalba Global (53.4% growth), Pharmaresearch (32.2%), and Silicontwo (33.8%), underscoring the dominance of high-value brands and global distribution platforms.
Manufacturing Power Shift
The rise of premium brands reflects a structural change in the beauty supply chain. Manufacturers now leverage proprietary formulas and advanced technology to propose product concepts and distribution trends, with brand owners selecting from these offerings. This shift is evident in stable Q1 profit growth for major OEM/ODM players like Cosmax (9.7% increase) and Kolmar Korea (9.2% increase). Rejuran Cosmetic, expanding directly into global markets via Amazon US and TikTok Shop, saw Q1 sales surge 51%.
Record April Exports
April beauty exports reached $1.374 billion, up 33.4% year-on-year, setting a new monthly record. This growth is fueled by diversified online platforms and an advanced global supply chain. At Myeongdong's K-beauty multi-brand store Mimi Line, April sales data showed strong demand for seasonal moisturizers and tourist sets, with Rom&nd dominating color cosmetics and Tfit leading base makeup categories.
What buyers should watch
Overseas importers and distributors should note the shift toward manufacturer-led product innovation, which offers access to unique formulations and trend-ready products. The strong performance of brands like APR and Dalba Global, along with record export volumes, signals robust supply capacity and market demand. Buyers may explore direct partnerships with these manufacturing leaders or platforms like Mimi Line for curated product sourcing.
Regulatory and channel signals
K-beauty's export momentum is supported by expanding online channels, including Amazon US and TikTok Shop, which are increasingly used by manufacturers for direct-to-consumer sales. The offline retail strength in Myeongdong also indicates sustained tourist demand. Buyers should monitor these channels for new product launches and distribution opportunities, while staying aware of any regulatory changes in target markets that could affect import flows.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 10, 2026