K-beauty diversifies markets for global growth amid US tariffs

South Korea’s beauty product exports to Europe, the Middle East surge; sales to France jump 70%

A beauty and cosmetics fair in Seoul in July 2024 (File photo by interCHARM Korea)
A beauty and cosmetics fair in Seoul in July 2024 (File photo by interCHARM Korea)
Yun-Sang Ko 3
2025-08-04 18:09:28 kys@hankyung.com
Beauty & Cosmetics

South Korean beauty brands are diversifying overseas markets to accelerate global expansion, as 15% US tariffs and intensifying competition may hinder growth in the world’s top cosmetics market.

South Korea, US agree to 15% tariff rate; shipbuilding central to deal

South Korea, US agree to 15% tariff rate; shipbuilding central to deal

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (left) took office on June 4, 2025 South Korea and the United States have reached a trade agreement setting the new US tariff rate at 15%, down from the previously announced 25%, with revitalizing the US shipbuilding sector at the center of the agenda.Under

K-beauty brands shine among Amazon’s 2025 Prime Day bestsellers

K-beauty brands shine among Amazon’s 2025 Prime Day bestsellers

(Courtesy of Amazon.com) Cosmetics and beauty devices made by South Korean companies dominated Amazon’s biggest summer shopping event this year, Prime Day, underscoring the unfazed K-beauty sensation. Medicube, the beauty tech brand under fast-growing Korean beauty company APR Co., led th

K-beauty contract manufacturers see record Q2 profits; rally likely to continue

K-beauty contract manufacturers see record Q2 profits; rally likely to continue

Cosrx is one of South Korea's leading indie cosmetics brands (Screenshot caputured from the company website) South Korea’s major original design manufacturers (ODMs) for cosmetics, led by Cosmax Inc. and Kolmar Korea Co., are estimated to have posted their highest-ever quarterly profits i

Amazon, Alibaba, TikTok up ante to woo Korean beauty brands

Amazon, Alibaba, TikTok up ante to woo Korean beauty brands

The AliExpress Korea Seller Forum in December, 2024 (Couresty of AliExpress)  Riding the wave of global enthusiasm for K-Beauty, e-commerce powerhouses like Amazon and Alibaba are racing to bring South Korean cosmetics and beauty tech to international consumers through their digital market

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