South Korea surpassed the United States in cosmetics exports for the first time in 2025, as global demand for K-beauty products drove overseas sales to a record $11.4 billion, according to data released Saturday by South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
The export total marked an 11.8% increase from the previous year and elevated South Korea to the world's second-largest cosmetics exporter behind only France, which recorded $24.3 billion in exports. The United States slipped to third place with $10.8 billion, reversing positions with South Korea from 2024.
The latest figures highlight how K-beauty has evolved from a regional consumer trend into a major global export industry increasingly shaping South Korea's broader trade performance. Cosmetics generated a trade surplus of $10.1 billion in 2025 after imports totaled $1.29 billion, the first time the industry's surplus exceeded $10 billion.
Government data showed cosmetics accounted for 12.9% of South Korea's overall national trade surplus of $78 billion last year, underlining the sector's growing economic significance.
The United States became South Korea's largest cosmetics export market in 2025, with shipments rising 15% to $2.2 billion. Exports to China, historically the industry's dominant overseas market, fell 19% to $2 billion amid slowing demand and intensifying competition.
Japan ranked third among export destinations with $1.1 billion in Korean cosmetics imports. Other major markets included Hong Kong, Vietnam, Russia and Taiwan.
The ministry also reported rapid growth in newer markets outside Asia. Exports to Poland surged 111.7% from a year earlier, while shipments to the United Arab Emirates climbed 67.2%, reflecting the industry's accelerating expansion across Europe and the Middle East.
The number of countries importing South Korean cosmetics increased from 172 in 2024 to 202 in 2025, another indication that Korean beauty brands are broadening their global reach beyond traditional Asian consumer bases.
Skincare products remained the industry's dominant category, generating $8.5 billion in exports and accounting for 74.7% of total overseas cosmetics sales. Color cosmetics contributed another $1.5 billion, representing 13.2% of exports.
Combined, skincare and makeup products accounted for nearly 88% of all cosmetics exports.
Domestic production also reached a record level. South Korea's cosmetics manufacturing output climbed to 17.9 trillion won, or roughly $11.8 billion, in 2025.
Among major producers:
- LG H&H led with 3.9 trillion won in production
- Amorepacific followed with 3 trillion won
- Aekyung Industrial produced 296.6 billion won
In the original design manufacturing sector, Cosmax ranked first with 1.6 trillion won in output, ahead of Kolmar Korea at 1.3 trillion won.
