The Korea natural cosmetics market is poised to register a valuation of USD 2.8 billion in 2025. The industry is slated to grow at 4.05% CAGR from 2025 to 2035, witnessing USD 4.2 billion by 2035. The market is seeing continued growth as consumers become more aware of health, sustainability, and the composition of personal care products.
South Korean consumers are known for their skincare insight and perfectionism, and they are gravitating toward products that do not contain bad chemicals, synthetic scents, and artificial preservatives. This has seen a big demand for natural and organic cosmetic options that resonate with a clean and sustainable lifestyle.
Concerns over the environment have further contributed to this transition. The younger generations, specifically Gen Z and millennials, are focusing on sustainability, prompting companies to adopt cruelty-free testing, ethical sourcing, and sustainable packaging.
Social media influence, particularly beauty influencers and K-beauty trends, also drives the trend for clean and natural products. Social media facilitates the establishment of an educated consumer base that is more careful about what it applies to its skin.
Government laws favoring safer cosmetics and greater transparency have spurred companies to innovate in naturals. Today, consumers are focusing on ingredient labels and looking for certifications like vegan, EWG-verified, or organic, making natural cosmetics a more mainstream category.
All these forces-cultural heritage, health awareness, green consciousness, and digital impact-are coming together to make the natural cosmetics category one of the most rapidly growing niches in the Korean beauty market.
| Metrics | Values |
|---|---|
| Industry Size (2025E) | USD 2.8 billion |
| Industry Value (2035F) | USD 4.2 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.05% |
Explore FMI!
Book a free demo
Korea natural cosmetics industry is experiencing multi-faceted trends and shifting buying criteria for various end-use segments, topped by skincare. Skincare users in Korea's beauty culture hold clean formulations containing natural ingredients such as centellaasiatica, mugwort, and green tea in high regard.
Transparency, fewer ingredients on the label, and certifications such as EWG-verified or vegan are preferred. In the haircare category, scalp health and environmental concerns have propelled consumers towards sulfate-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free products that contain botanical extracts. Likewise, personal hygiene items-particularly body washes, deodorants, and feminine hygiene-are sought after for their hypoallergenic and dermatologically safe ingredients, frequently combined with environmentally friendly packaging and cruelty-free certifications.
The cosmetics category is also moving towards natural, multi-purpose products that bring makeup and skin benefits together, echoing the popularity of the "no-makeup" makeup phenomenon. Consumers desire lightweight, ventilating textures with natural color, and shun synthetic dyes or strong scents.
Through all categories, the buying habits are influenced by a health-and-wellness-conscious, ecologically conscious, digitally savvy consumer. Korean consumers are ever more educated, discerning, and loyal to brands that prove themselves to have ingredient transparency, ethical sourcing, and sustainable production, and these elements are key to the expansion of the natural cosmetics market in Korea.
From 2020 to 2024, the Korea natural cosmetics market underwent significant changes influenced by shifting consumer values, the COVID-19 pandemic, and technological innovation. Throughout the pandemic, there was a sharp turn toward self-care, with greater expenditure on skincare and personal wellness products.
Consumers became more ingredient-savvy, prompting brands to shift away from synthetic chemicals and toward natural, plant-based ingredients. The growth of e-commerce and social media speeded up access to specialist and indie natural beauty brands, and bigger companies responded by rewriting formulas and getting more transparent. Sustainability also picked up speed, with brands embracing recyclable packaging, cruelty-free formulations, and clean beauty badges to respond to increasing environmental expectations.
During the forecast period, Korea's natural cosmetics market will keep on growing, spurred by developments in biotech-derived ingredients, customized skincare, and beauty tools driven by artificial intelligence.
Consumers will look for increasingly customized solutions according to their skin type, environment, and way of life, combining nature and technology. Market demand will increase for sustainable, locally harvested ingredients, zero-waste packaging, and carbon-neutral manufacturing.
Comparative Industry Shift Analysis (2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035)
| 2020 to 2024 | 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| Consumers grew more demanding, seeking products wit h clean, minimalist ingredients free of parabens, sulfates , and synthetic additives. This trend compelled brands to rethink formulations and get more transparent about what goes into them. | The market will go beyond simple clean beauty to more advanced natural products that blend botanical ingredients with biotech innovations to increase performance, safety, and personalization. |
| Lockdowns and prolonged home time fueled a boom in skincare routines as individuals turned to soothing, natural products emphasizing hydration, repair, and barrier care. | Beauty will be seen by consumers more and more as part of overall well-being, with natural cosmetics taking center stage for their ability to enhance skin health, mental state, and underpin lifestyle-based self-care routines. |
| Sustainability awareness brought increased demand for environmentally friendly packaging, cruelty-free testing, and ethical manufacturing habits, prompting companies to switch to greener technologies and sustainability brand messaging. | The next ten years will see more companies engaging in greater depths of sustainability effort-waterless products, refilling packaging, biodegradables, c arbon-neutral manufacturing, and others. |
| Amazon and social networ king sites aided small , natural products brands to market to mass purchasers, and virtual reviews affected shopper decisions | Artificial intelligence-facilitated skincare analysis, digital consultations, and data-backed product suggestions will enable consumers to obtain personalized natural beauty solutions that respond to their evolving skin concerns. |
While the Korea natural cosmetics market has high growth potential, it is not without risks. One major concern is regulatory uncertainty and changing standards regarding what is considered "natural" or "organic."
The absence of a single global definition or standardized certification process can result in confusion, in which companies promote themselves as natural without adhering to strict standards. This erodes consumer trust and puts additional pressure from both regulators and consumers, leading potentially to brand reputation damage.
Another critical risk is the extremely competitive and saturated market environment. The Korean natural cosmetics market has been flooded with both local startups and foreign entrants, creating more competition.
Established K-beauty companies are also entering natural lines, which makes it increasingly difficult for smaller or new players to gain traction. Saturation compresses prices and margins, particularly since consumers demand premium-quality ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging without substantially higher prices.
In Korea, natural cosmetics are dominated by skin and sun care products, owing to the nation's skincare culture. Korean consumers are famous for their multi-step skincare regimens, which frequently consist of cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and sun protection. Natural skincare products, particularly those that use calming ingredients such as green tea, ginseng, and centellaasiatica, are a perfect fit with the trend for gentle yet effective products.
Sun care products like natural sunscreens that contain SPF protection are also in demand since sun protection is an essential component of the daily skincare routine to keep the skin safe from damage and aging. The clean beauty trend which is void of toxic chemicals and artificial ingredients further spurs the popularity of natural skin and sun care products among Koreans.
Hair care is yet another important category for natural cosmetics in Korea. Customers are increasingly concerned about the effects of harsh chemicals in traditional shampoos and conditioners. As a consequence, the market demand for sulfate-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free natural hair care products that use botanical extracts and essential oils to moisturize and shield the hair and scalp has been on the rise.
Shampoos, conditioners, and scalp treatments that are natural are viewed as promoting general hair well-being, particularly for individuals who reside in urban areas where environmental stressors and pollution can affect hair health.
The online sales channel has become the primary sales channel for natural cosmetics in Korea, fueled by the nation's highly networked and technologically advanced population. With the growth of e-commerce websites and the growing popularity of mobile shopping, Korean consumers have found the convenience of buying beauty products online appealing.
Online sites enable consumers to compare products easily, read reviews, and find new natural cosmetics brands from the comfort of their homes. Social media, especially sites such as Instagram and YouTube, have a major influence on purchasing decisions, as beauty bloggers and influencers often endorse natural beauty and skincare products. This has helped fuel the fast expansion of online shopping, and it is now the preferred channel for most beauty consumers in Korea.
In addition, the greater emphasis on convenience and the move towards a digital-first shopping experience have compelled brands to maximize their online presence. Most natural cosmetics brands and retailers provide direct-to-consumer e-commerce sites, which improve customer interaction and loyalty through personalized product suggestions, loyalty programs, and targeted advertising.
This digital transition also fits into the larger trend of direct-to-consumer business models within the beauty space, where brands are able to engage directly with consumers, cutting out intermediating retailers and providing competitive pricing.
The natural cosmetics market in Korea is a mix of both global beauty giants and niche players that meet the nation's increasing need for clean, green, and effective beauty solutions. Large global brands such as L'Oréal SA, Amway Corporation, and Beiersdorf offer mass-market credibility, broad product lines, and large distribution channels, whereas new brands such as Sourcing-Lab, Cosmedique, and Nutricare target more niche consumers with natural and sustainable ingredients. This blend of established players and new entrants guarantees that the market caters to the varied tastes of health-conscious, ingredient-savvy, and environmentally friendly consumers.
Key Company Share Analysis
| Company Name | Estimated Industry Share (%) |
|---|---|
| L'Oréal SA | 12-14% |
| Amway Corporation | 8-10% |
| Beiersdorf | 7-9% |
| Chanel S.A. | 5-7% |
| Clarins Group | 4-6% |
| Coty Inc. | 3-5% |
| Kolmar Korea | 2-4% |
| Cosmedique | 2-4% |
| Nutricare | 1-3% |
| Sourcing-Lab | 1-3% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings & Activities |
|---|---|
| L'Oréal SA | As a global beauty and skincare leader, L'Oréal provides a variety of natural-based cosmetics and skincare products in Korea with clean formulations. The company couples science-proven skincare with natural ingredients to appeal to environmentally conscious and health-conscious consumers. |
| Amway Corporation | Amway is noted for its Nutrilite -branded products, which stress plant-based ingredients for skin care. The company plays on its direct-selling platform in Korea to reach a niche customer base of health-conscious consumers looking for natural cosmetics and nutritional beauty products. |
| Beiersdorf | Famous for the Nivea brand, Beiersdorf's natural cosmetics line in Korea targets sensitive skin care products with naturally sourced ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera. The quality reputation and dermatological testing of the brand guarantee confidence among Korean consumers. |
| Chanel S.A. | Chanel brings together luxury and nature by coupling upscale formulations with nature-based ingredients in their cosmetic and skincare ranges. As the company targets premium customers, the brand stays true to environmentally friendly manufacturing, meeting the increasing trend of sustainability. |
| Clarins Group | Clarins , with deep roots in plant-inspired beauty, is dedicated to natural and organic skincare products, providing solutions for hydration, anti-aging, and protection from the environment. It supports sustainability through earth-friendly packaging and sourcing of ingredients. |
| Coty Inc. | Coty provides natural beauty cosmetics under such brands as CoverGirl and Rimmel , which have extended their product lines to contain vegan, cruelty- free, and naturally sourced ingredients. Coty stands well-placed to attract Korea's younger generation, which is growing more health-focused. |
| Kolmar Korea | As a leading player in the K-beauty industry, Kolmar Korea provides products that range from natural to functional cosmetics with international and domestic brands through the production of plant-based skincare products. It is important in fulfilling the demand for high-performance natural formulas at volume. |
| Cosmedique | Cosmedique offers clean beauty products emphasizing sensitive skin. It utilizes natural plant-based botanical extracts to produce successful skincare regimens for Korean consumers in search of mild, plant-derived solutions. |
| Nutricare | Nutricare emphasizes natural cosmetics that combine health supplements and skincare. They are becoming popular in Korea for their unique strategy for beauty that incorporates nutritional assistance along with topical skincare products, specifically for wellness and longevity. |
| Sourcing-Lab | This firm specializes in the sourcing of high-quality, ethically manufactured natural ingredients globally. In Korea, they serve premium and eco-aware consumers by providing customized, ingredient-driven solutions that highlight purity and sustainability. |
The Korean natural cosmetics market is fast becoming competitive with global behemoths and specialty players vying to address the growing consumer need for clean and green beauty products. Players such as L'Oréal SA and Amway Corporation are riding on their massive distribution networks, brand image, and sophisticated R&D to ensure a strong footing.
At the same time, new entrants like Sourcing-Lab and Cosmedique are making a niche for themselves with a focus on natural ingredients, transparency, and sustainable sourcing, appealing to the increasing health-conscious and eco-aware Korean consumer base.
The industry is expected to reach USD 2.8 billion in 2025.
The industry is projected to witness USD 4.2 billion by 2035.
The industry is slated to grow at 4.05% CAGR during the study period.
Online stores are widely preferred.
Leading companies include Sourcing-Lab, Cosmedique, Nutricare, Kolmar Korea, L’Oréal SA, Amway Corporation, Beiersdorf, Benefit Cosmetics LLC, Chanel S.A., Clarins Group, and Coty Inc.
In terms of product type, the industry is classified into skin and sun care, hair care, bath & shower, men’s grooming (only shaving), color cosmetic, fragrances & deodorants, and oral care.
With respect to consumer orientation, the market is classified into male, female, unisex, and baby & kids.
Based on packaging, the industry is divided into bottles & jars, tubes, pouches & sachets, and pencils & sticks.
In terms of sales channel, the market is classified into supermarkets/hypermarkets, department stores, specialty stores, online sales channels, mono brand stores, and others.
Regionally, the industry is divided into South Gyeongsang, North Jeolla, South Jeolla, Jeju, and the rest of Korea.
Western Europe Women’s Footwear Market Analysis – Size, Share & Trends 2025 to 2035
Games and Puzzles Market is segmented by Type, Licensing, Distribution Channel and Region through 2025 to 2035.
Western Europe Cosmetics ODM Market Analysis - Size, Share & Trends 2025 to 2035
Korea Women’s Footwear Market Analysis - Size, Share & Trends 2025 to 2035
Japan Women’s Footwear Market Analysis - Size, Share & Trends 2025 to 2035
Western Europe Garment Steamer Market Analysis - Size, Share & Trends 2025 to 2035
Korea Natural Cosmetics Market
Thank you!
You will receive an email from our Business Development Manager. Please be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folder too.
