# South Korean K-Beauty global expansion and market shifts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-kbeauty-export-expansion
> Updated: 2026-08-10T01:48:56.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 4.

South Korean cosmetics exports hit a record $57.3 billion in the first half of 2024, with the United States remaining the largest market. While exports to China declined, the industry is seeing massive growth in North America and Europe. CJ Olive Young has launched the ‘Olive Young K-Beauty Edit’ in approximately 580 Sephora stores across the U.S., with plans to expand to Canada, the UK, and the Middle East by 2027.

Major corporations are reporting significant regional shifts. LG Household & Health Care’s North American revenue has surpassed its Chinese revenue for the first time, while APR reported a 264.6% surge in North American sales and a 380.3% increase in European sales. Amorepacific also saw a 56.5% rise in Americas revenue, driven by brands like COSRX.

In Brazil, the K-Beauty market is projected to reach $754.8 million by 2032. Local brands are adapting Korean formulas—utilizing ingredients like PDRN, snail mucin, and centella asiatica—to better suit higher phototypes. Online interest in Brazil has spiked, with searches for “shampoo coreano” up 350% year-on-year. Despite this growth, regulatory hurdles remain, as ANVISA registration for certain products can take up to twelve months. Ongoing discussions between Korea’s MFDS and ANVISA aim to streamline these approval pathways.

Growth continues to be fueled by biotech innovations, including salmon-derived PDRN and micro-spicule delivery systems, as South Korean firms transition research into accessible global products.

## Claims

- Brazilian brands are adapting Korean skincare philosophy using dermatologically backed actives for local skin types. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Searches for “peeling coreano” grew 150 % in 2025 compared with the previous year. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Searches for “shampoo coreano” grew 350 % and “máscara de colágeno coreana” grew 300 % year‑on‑year. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Brazilian market for Korean‑inspired cosmetics is projected to reach US$754.8 million by 2032, growing at about 7.4 % annually. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- ANVISA requires specific approval processes for unconventional cosmetic actives, creating regulatory barriers. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Korean cosmetics exports to Brazil increased 86.4 % year‑on‑year to US$43.4 million in the first half of 2026, making Brazil the 28th largest export destination. (single source)
- Product registration approvals for items such as sunscreens can take six to twelve months in Brazil. (single source)
- Discussions between Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and ANVISA aim to streamline regulatory collaboration for Korean cosmetics. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-10: K-beauty companies expand global footprint into US and Europe

South Korean K-beauty brands are rapidly expanding into North America and Europe, with companies like CJ Olive Young, Amorepacific, and APR reporting significant revenue growth and new retail partnerships.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/k-beauty-companies-expand-global-footprint-into-us-and-europe

### 2026-08-05: Brazil's K-Beauty market to hit $754 million as brands adapt Korean formulas

Brazilian brands adapt Korean skincare actives for local skin types, driving a market projected to reach $754 million by 2032, while talks aim to ease ANVISA hurdles after Korean exports rose 86 %.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-k-beauty-market-to-hit-754-million-as-brands-adapt-korean-formulas

### 2026-07-28: K-Beauty industry growth drives new skincare trends in Brazil and Canada

South Korea's K‑Beauty sector, now the world's second‑largest cosmetics exporter, is boosting sales in Brazil and Canada with biotech ingredients and preventive skin‑care trends.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/k-beauty-industry-growth-drives-new-skincare-trends-in-brazil-and-canada

### 2026-07-20: South Korea's K‑beauty exports reach $57.3 bn record in first half 2024

K‑beauty exports rose 25% to $57.3 bn in H1 2024, led by record US sales and a 130% jump to the UK, while shipments to China fell 5%.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-koreas-kbeauty-exports-reach-573-bn-record-in-first-half-2024

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Cite as: South Korean K-Beauty global expansion and market shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-kbeauty-export-expansion
