Korean Beauty Trends Continue to Capture Consumers in APAC

Okay-Magnificence, brief for Korean Magnificence, refers back to the skincare and beauty merchandise and traits originating from South Korea. It has gained important reputation within the APAC area, increasing its affect globally as nicely. This is because of a number of key components, equivalent to:

Korean skincare and sweetness have emerged as development setters within the magnificence and private care business, influenced by South Korean popular culture.

On this article, Mintel highlights the explanations for the continued reputation of Okay-Magnificence traits, and what manufacturers within the magnificence and private care business at giant can study from the success of Korean skincare and cosmetics.

The South Korean skincare market is projected to extend 2.5% from 2023. The facial care section, which leads the Okay-Magnificence skincare market, is predicted to develop to KRW5.41 trillion in 2024, a major enhance in comparison with 2023.

Furthermore, in Japan, Korean magnificence imports in 2024 elevated by a whopping 120.8% in comparison with the earlier 12 months, even surpassing magnificence product imports from France.

1. Okay-Magnificence traits win prospects over by means of affordability

Korean magnificence traits are trendsetters within the BPC business at giant, however significantly for Asian customers. They’re recognized for creating appears tailor-made to Asian faces and are appreciated for his or her affordability, which is essential throughout occasions of worldwide inflation. The rating on the Japanese magnificence evaluate website @cosme primarily options manufacturers that provide their merchandise at a cheaper price level, equivalent to VT, Innisfree, and ROM&ND.

The important thing to enchantment to customers is to stability the demand for affordability with the need for fashionable appears, however with out falling brief on efficacy and security. Younger customers particularly, search reasonably priced magnificence merchandise: 30% of Gen Z in India agree that there ought to be extra reasonably priced magnificence merchandise.

2. Curiosity in South Korean popular culture continues to gas the recognition of the Okay-Magnificence market

Social media evaluation in India reveals that there have been 6.20 million posts within the final two years discussing Okay-Drama, Okay-Pop, and Okay-Magnificence traits, predominantly among the many age group of 19-24. This continued reputation in Okay-Pop all through the APAC area influences customers’ curiosity in Korean skincare and sweetness merchandise.

Okay-Tradition’s affect is increasing by means of magnificence, meals, cinema, and different elements, additional triggered by Netflix Okay-Dramas ‘Crash Touchdown on You’ and ‘Itaewon Class’. Maintaining updated with this motion can be essential for manufacturers within the magnificence business, because it exhibits no indicators of slowing down simply but. Native and abroad manufacturers ought to look nearer at Okay-Dramas and leverage an identical model to speak with customers, whereas providing methods to recreate the appears seen on display.

Whereas J-Magnificence (Japan) is usually perceived as extra skilled and premium in comparison with C-Magnificence (China) and Okay-Magnificence manufacturers, the Korean skincare market can nonetheless persuade an APAC viewers when it comes to innovation, traits, and comfort.

1. Main the shift from anti-ageing to slow-ageing

Significantly noteworthy amongst Okay-Magnificence traits is the rising curiosity in sluggish ageing with Millennials and Gen Z, who prioritise holistic approaches to wellbeing. Will probably be essential to leverage this rising development and swap communication round ‘anti-ageing’ to ‘wholesome skin-ageing’, as the attention of preventive skincare for long-term pores and skin well being past mere anti-ageing continues to rise.

Product launches in Okay-Magnificence skincare are reflecting this development, as there was a discernible rise in skincare product launches associated to sluggish ageing.

2. Tackling pores and skin points with Korean skincare

In comparison with Mintel’s survey respondents in China and Japan, customers in South Korea reported a better prevalence of pores and skin situations equivalent to spots/zits, allergic reactions, and dermatitis – Psoriasis was famous to have an effect on over twice as many South Korean customers in comparison with China and Japan. Thus, it’s essential to know the distinctive skincare wants of South Koreans, in addition to customers in different markets, and supply merchandise that handle them – and be sure you present scientific validation.

Pushed by tightened budgets, customers are more and more searching for skincare merchandise with confirmed advantages, prompting manufacturers to prioritise demonstrating efficacy over merely making claims. The South Korean skincare market is poised to steer this shift as a result of its fame for innovation and research-driven approaches.

3. Okay-Magnificence skincare provides comfort

Throughout Asia, there’s a sturdy demand for handy skincare options, with customers, significantly in South Korea, valuing fast and easy-to-use merchandise. The rise in skincare launches marketed with time/velocity claims in South Korea has elevated, reflecting the comfort development, as many are prepared to pay extra for skincare objects that simplify their routines. Consequently, main innovation to actively use rising comfort claims, like ease of use and handy packaging, can be important for achievement within the Korean skincare market.

Shoppers will anticipate to increase this comfort to extra elements of their day by day routines.
Subsequently, the concentrate on comfort in skincare aligns with the preferences of South Korean customers. Manufacturers providing fast, easy-to-use skincare options and multifunctional formulations will possible expertise elevated demand on this market consequently.

Equally, in India, there’s a rising curiosity in comfort claims, equivalent to ease of use and the flexibility to refill merchandise when customers run out, impressed by different APAC markets like China, Japan, and South Korea. General, the concentrate on comfort aligns with shopper preferences throughout numerous Asian markets, driving demand for multifunctional and user-friendly skincare merchandise.

The fast enhance in anti-/slow-ageing claims in Okay-Magnificence skincare are seeping over into the color cosmetics section of the Korean magnificence market, with skin-beneficial basis launches changing into the norm over the previous 12 months. Manufacturers within the Okay-Magnificence skincare must take note of the quickly evolving ‘skinification’ traits.

Pure components assist convey worth to customers as a result of they’re related to pores and skin advantages and promise fewer use of harsh chemical compounds. Manufacturers are leveraging natural and botanical components to align with shopper preferences for pure and moral magnificence merchandise, as a part of a broader motion in direction of ‘inexperienced magnificence’.

Speaking components, and placing them entrance and centre, can be essential for manufacturers to enchantment to customers, as simply over 30% of South Koreans say {that a} magnificence or grooming product made with pure components is nice worth for cash (consumer entry solely). This turns into much more necessary, contemplating the ‘skinification’ development in make-up will solely intensify, and customers’ curiosity in magnificence components is predicted to increase additional within the color cosmetics section.

South Korean customers’ lip make-up preferences are continually shifting. Social media knowledge exhibits ‘matte’ and ‘crimson’ are declining key phrases within the lipstick section, whereas ‘tint’, ‘glow’, and ‘pink’ have been on the rise for the final two years. This shift can possible be traced again on to the growing demand for pure and dewy make-up appears.

In consequence, the color cosmetics section within the Korean magnificence market has seen a fast enhance within the launch of glowy tint merchandise, in response to customers’ rising demand for such formulation. On this quickly rising market context, manufacturers might must transcend glow claims to succeed. Manufacturers might want to differentiate merchandise by delivering claims equivalent to lengthy lasting, light-weight, and hydrating, in addition to providing a wider vary of shades to select from.

Primarily based on Mintel’s insights, the curiosity in Okay-Pop, Okay-Tradition, and subsequently in Okay-Magnificence traits isn’t about to decelerate anytime quickly. It continues to be fuelled by the continuing reputation of Okay-Tradition.

Shoppers throughout the APAC area, in addition to globally, worth Okay-Magnificence skincare and different magnificence merchandise for his or her innovation, effectiveness, and affordability. Whereas J-Magnificence’s reputation is on the rise and advantages from a extra skilled and premium notion, the Korean magnificence market earnings from its affiliation as an reasonably priced trendsetter.

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