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Riding the Wave of Veganism: Korea's Blossoming Vegan Makeup Trend

An Uprising Trend: Veganism in Korea


Vegan products, synonymous with eco-conscious consumption, are witnessing a surge in popularity, largely due to global warming concerns. As stated by the Korea Vegan Certification Institute, the certification count for vegan products has hit a whopping 2,500 from 2018 till date. 

Launched in 2020, the Vegan Standard Certification Institute has already certified over 500 vegan cosmetics. No longer confined to skincare, the vegan trend is revolutionizing the makeup market, setting the Korean vegan beauty market ablaze.

Understanding Vegan Standards and Assessing Global Market Potential


Vegan cosmetics, typically recognized for their non-animal origins, cruelty-free nature, and plant-based ingredients, have an encouraging growth trajectory. According to Research&Markets, the global vegan cosmetics market is expected to swell from $15.1 billion in 2021 to $26 billion in 2030.



Brands Leading the Vegan Wave


Major player LG Household & Health Care unveiled Freshian, a brand staunchly vegan down to its secondary ingredients. Freshian has gone eco-friendly with its packaging too, employing sugar cane-derived materials for folding boxes and corn starch for puffs. 

Pioneering vegan beauty brand ISOI continues to win over customers with its skincare-infused vegan makeup. ISOI's acquisition of the safety grade "Verified" mark from the EWG has only boosted its credibility.



The Path to Vegan Certification


In Korea, companies aiming to sell vegan-certified products have multiple options, not confined to domestic institutions. For instance, LCM's popular brand Muzigaemansion obtained vegan certification from the 'Vegan Society' for its 2022 launched lip tint, Objet Liquid. Korean cosmetic companies can seek vegan certification from the Korea Vegan Certification Institute, Vegan Standard Certification Institute, Vegan Society (British Vegan Association), or Eve Vegan (France Vegan Association).



Challenges Looming on the Horizon


While the need for procedures concerning vegan certification is gaining importance, practical reliability leaves much to be desired. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has accredited the Korea Vegan Certification Institute as a "certification agency for cosmetic labeling/advertising." 

However, standardization across all institutions remains elusive, with most adopting a document submission approach, leading to questions about reliability. Furthermore, certification and re-certification costs may inflate consumer prices, posing yet another challenge to overcome.


Conclusion


The vegan makeup trend in Korea is undoubtedly on an upward trajectory. Yet, for it to reach its full potential, standardization of certification processes, cost considerations, and reliability issues need to be addressed.



Sources:

  • Korea Vegan Certification Institute 
  • Vegan Standard Certification Institute 
  • Muzigaemansion 
  • Research&Markets 
  • LG Household & Health Care
  • Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Location: 대한민국

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