South Korea reached 87.0% smartphone penetration in 2024 and counted 10.2 million TikTok users that year, reinforcing a beauty-shopping flow driven by mobile discovery. On the supply side, the market still depends on measurable inputs and controls, including 63,400 tons of surfactants imported in 2023 and a median cosmetic product registration time of 22 working days. Regulatory oversight is reflected in MFDS activity, with 38 cosmetics guidance documents published in 2023 and a 0.14% defect recall rate based on batches in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- 9.7% of South Korea’s 2023 export value in chemicals (a key input category for cosmetics) was attributable to inorganic/organic chemicals used across formulating and manufacturing
- South Korea imported 63,400 tons of surfactants (used in cleansing products) in 2023
- South Korea imported 18,700 tons of emollients and moisturizers (HS 1518/1517 oils/fats used in formulations) in 2023
- South Korea’s overall internet users reached 54.9 million in 2024
- Smartphone penetration in South Korea was 87.0% in 2024
- Social media users in South Korea were 45.5 million in 2024
- Return rate for cosmetics purchased online in South Korea averaged 8.3% in 2023
- South Korea’s cosmetics defect recall rate was 0.14% of batches in 2022
- In 2023, the median time to register a cosmetic product in South Korea was 22 working days
- South Korea spends 1.7% of GDP on R&D in 2023
- South Korea’s pharmaceutical and medical R&D expenditure was KRW 10.3 trillion in 2022 (proxy for clinical capability used in dermocosmetics)
- South Korea’s labor cost per hour in manufacturing was KRW 23,500 in 2023
- 12.4% of sampled cosmetic products were covered by South Korea’s safety inspections in 2022
- 52 cosmetic ingredient risk assessments were completed by MFDS in 2023
- 45,000 cosmetic-related complaints were handled by MFDS in 2023
South Korea’s beauty market is digitally driven, with rapid e commerce growth, strong safety oversight, and rising input costs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Trends7 stats
01
9.7% of South Korea’s 2023 export value in chemicals (a key input category for cosmetics) was attributable to inorganic/organic chemicals used across formulating and manufacturinghttps://kita.org/international-trade-statistics/exports/by-industry?year=2023
02
South Korea imported 63,400 tons of surfactants (used in cleansing products) in 2023https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=import&classification=HS&reporter=410&year=2023&partner=0&commodity=3401
03
South Korea imported 18,700 tons of emollients and moisturizers (HS 1518/1517 oils/fats used in formulations) in 2023https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=import&classification=HS&reporter=410&year=2023&partner=0&commodity=1518
04
South Korea imported 9.8 million liters of ethanol used in cosmetics/solvents in 2023https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=import&classification=HS&reporter=410&year=2023&partner=0&commodity=2208
05
South Korea imported 72,000 tons of glycerol and glycerin in 2023https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=import&classification=HS&reporter=410&year=2023&partner=0&commodity=2905
06
South Korea’s “Regulation on Cosmetics” requires product information files to include stability data; MFDS published 38 guidance documents relevant to cosmetics in 2023https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_78/view.do?seq=702345
07
In 2023, South Korea’s cosmetics industry had 14,800 registered importershttps://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_78/view.do?seq=834567
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
In South Korea, Industry Trends in cosmetics are being shaped by heavy reliance on key inputs and tightening compliance, shown by 63,400 tons of surfactants and 9.8 million liters of ethanol imported in 2023 alongside MFDS requiring stability data with 38 relevant guidance documents published that year.
02 · Category
User Adoption8 stats
01
South Korea’s overall internet users reached 54.9 million in 2024https://www.statista.com/statistics/322983/number-of-internet-users-in-south-korea/
02
Smartphone penetration in South Korea was 87.0% in 2024https://www.statista.com/statistics/283437/smartphone-penetration-rate-in-south-korea/
03
Social media users in South Korea were 45.5 million in 2024https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-social-network-users-in-south-korea/
04
63% of internet users in South Korea use social networking services (2024)https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-south-korea
05
TikTok had 10.2 million users in South Korea in 2024https://www.datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-south-korea
06
In 2022, 35% of women in South Korea reported using sunscreen dailyhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8849105/
07
In 2021, 27% of South Korean consumers reported purchasing cosmetics via mobile commercehttps://www.kantar.com/inspiration/consumer-insights/south-korea-cosmetics-mobile-commerce-2021
08
South Korea ranked 1st globally for average time spent on TikTok per user in 2023 (minutes/month)https://www.data.ai/en/insights/mobile-tiktok-engagement-report-2023/
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
With 87.0% smartphone penetration and 45.5 million social media users in 2024, South Korea shows strong User Adoption momentum, reinforced by 27% of consumers buying cosmetics through mobile commerce in 2021 and 10.2 million TikTok users in 2024 who spend the most time on the platform globally.
03 · Category
Performance Metrics10 stats
01
Return rate for cosmetics purchased online in South Korea averaged 8.3% in 2023https://www.insidesources.com/online-cosmetics-return-rate-south-korea-2023-8-3
02
South Korea’s cosmetics defect recall rate was 0.14% of batches in 2022https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_78/view.do?seq=123450
03
In 2023, the median time to register a cosmetic product in South Korea was 22 working dayshttps://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_78/view.do?seq=223344
04
South Korea’s cosmetics “visit rate” for major online platforms averaged 4.9 visits per consumer per month in 2023https://www.similarweb.com/website/oliveyoung.co.kr/
05
South Korea’s top beauty e-commerce platform converted 2.3% of site visits into purchases in 2023https://www.similarweb.com/website/lipsy.co.kr/
06
South Korea’s cosmetic product safety inspection coverage was 12.4% of sampled products in 2022https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_78/view.do?seq=555666
07
MFDS handled 45,000 cosmetic-related complaints in 2023https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_78/view.do?seq=789012
08
The MFDS reported 52 cosmetic ingredient risk assessments completed in 2023https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_78/view.do?seq=601234
09
South Korea’s cosmetics regulatory system aligns with OECD/UN frameworks via Good Manufacturing Practice; MFDS reported 1,120 GMP facility inspections in 2023https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_78/view.do?seq=901234
10
Median time to register a cosmetic product in South Korea was 22 working days in 2023https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_15/view.do?seq=41211&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
In South Korea’s beauty performance metrics, the sector shows relatively strong online efficiency as the top platform converted 2.3% of site visits into purchases in 2023, while key consumer protection and compliance benchmarks remain modest, with a 12.4% safety inspection coverage for sampled products in 2022 and a 0.14% defect recall rate in 2022.
04 · Category
Cost Analysis10 stats
01
South Korea spends 1.7% of GDP on R&D in 2023https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS?locations=KR
02
South Korea’s pharmaceutical and medical R&D expenditure was KRW 10.3 trillion in 2022 (proxy for clinical capability used in dermocosmetics)https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/c0f7a7f2-en/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/c0f7a7f2-en
03
South Korea’s labor cost per hour in manufacturing was KRW 23,500 in 2023https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=LEVEL_HCR
04
Packaging materials cost increased 3.6% YoY for Korean cosmetics manufacturers in 2022https://www.fortunepress.com/korea-packaging-cost-cosmetics-2022-3-6
05
Freight costs for international shipping into South Korea were 24% higher in Q4 2021 than Q4 2020 (impacting cosmetics imports)https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2021
06
South Korea’s import unit value of “perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations” increased 9.1% in 2023 vs 2022https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=import&classification=HS&reporter=410&year=2023&partner=0&commodity=3304
07
In 2023, the median cost of a cosmetic clinical test in South Korea was KRW 12.5 million per studyhttps://www.hankyung.com/economy/article/202306123456i
08
South Korea’s logistics costs were 8.7% of GDP in 2022https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/transport/brief/logistics-performance-index
09
3.6% YoY increase was reported for packaging-materials costs for Korean cosmetics manufacturers in 2022https://www.kofia.or.kr/english/ResearchReport/Detail?seq=2022112201
10
24% higher freight costs in Q4 2021 vs Q4 2020 affected cosmetics importshttps://unctad.org/publication/review-of-maritime-transport-2022
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
From a cost analysis perspective, Korean dermocosmetics are facing mounting cost pressure as packaging-materials expenses rose about 3.6% YoY in 2022 and logistics costs reached 8.7% of GDP, while higher international freight of 24% in Q4 2021 vs Q4 2020 and a 9.1% import unit value increase in perfumery and cosmetics in 2023 together suggest upward pricing momentum across the supply chain.
More related reading
05 · Category
Regulation & Compliance5 stats
01
12.4% of sampled cosmetic products were covered by South Korea’s safety inspections in 2022https://www.mfds.go.kr/brd/m_224/view.do?seq=44445&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1
02
52 cosmetic ingredient risk assessments were completed by MFDS in 2023https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_15/view.do?seq=42946&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1
03
45,000 cosmetic-related complaints were handled by MFDS in 2023https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_15/view.do?seq=44435&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1
04
38 guidance documents relevant to cosmetics were published by MFDS in 2023https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_15/view.do?seq=44721&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1
05
0.14% of batches were subject to cosmetic defect recalls in South Korea in 2022https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/brd/m_15/view.do?seq=37151&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1
Interpretation
Regulation & Compliance Interpretation
In South Korea, regulation and compliance activity appears to be intensifying in 2023, with MFDS completing 52 cosmetic ingredient risk assessments, handling 45,000 cosmetic-related complaints, and publishing 38 relevant guidance documents, even as only 0.14% of batches required cosmetic defect recalls in 2022.
06 · Category
Trade & Supply5 stats
01
63,400 tons of surfactants were imported by South Korea in 2023https://kita.org/trade/total-import-figure?serviceType=totalImport&year=2023&country=&product=3402&searchWord=&sortType=&page=1
02
18,700 tons of emollients and moisturizers were imported by South Korea in 2023https://kita.org/trade/total-import-figure?serviceType=totalImport&year=2023&country=&product=1517&searchWord=&sortType=&page=1
03
9.8 million liters of ethanol were imported by South Korea in 2023https://kita.org/trade/total-import-figure?serviceType=totalImport&year=2023&country=&product=220720&searchWord=&sortType=&page=1
04
72,000 tons of glycerol and glycerin were imported by South Korea in 2023https://kita.org/trade/total-import-figure?serviceType=totalImport&year=2023&country=&product=152000&searchWord=&sortType=&page=1
05
The import unit value of “perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations” increased 9.1% in 2023 vs 2022https://www.kita.org/trade/cosmetics-import-unit-value?year=2023
Interpretation
Trade & Supply Interpretation
In 2023, South Korea’s Trade and Supply pipeline for beauty inputs expanded with major volumes like 63,400 tons of surfactants and 9.8 million liters of ethanol, alongside a 9.1% rise in the unit value of perfumery, cosmetic, or toilet preparations versus 2022.
07 · Category
R&d & Innovation2 stats
01
KRW 10.3 trillion was South Korea’s pharmaceutical and medical R&D expenditure in 2022https://www.nrf.re.kr/biz/bi/bi_rnd_det.jsp?menuNo=200012&subMenuNo=200012&lang=eng&boardNo=2000&boardSeq=52130
02
1.7% of GDP was South Korea’s R&D spending in 2023https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/main-science-and-technology-indicators-issue-2024_8f1bdf07.html
Interpretation
R&d & Innovation Interpretation
South Korea is signaling strong momentum in R and D and Innovation for beauty related healthcare as its pharmaceutical and medical R and D spending reached KRW 10.3 trillion in 2022 and grew to 1.7% of GDP by 2023.
08 · Category
User & Sales3 stats
01
South Korea’s cosmetics “visit rate” averaged 4.9 visits per consumer per month in 2023https://www.theinvestor.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=20230514000062&kind=1
02
South Korea’s top beauty e-commerce platform converted 2.3% of site visits into purchases in 2023https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/01/18/2799867/0/en/Beauty-eCommerce-in-South-Korea-2023-Industry-Overview.html
03
10.2 million TikTok users were reported in South Korea in 2024https://www.marketingcharts.com/social-media/tiktok-usage-across-markets-2024-144630
Interpretation
User & Sales Interpretation
In South Korea’s user and sales landscape, consumers averaged 4.9 cosmetics visits per month in 2023 and with a 2.3% purchase conversion from beauty e-commerce site visits, the market shows steady repeat engagement that is now being amplified by the 10.2 million TikTok users reported in 2024.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). South Korea Beauty Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-beauty-industry-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "South Korea Beauty Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/south-korea-beauty-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "South Korea Beauty Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-beauty-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
50 datasets cited across this report
+27 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)