Skip to main content

Korean Beauty Trends & Industry News: 23-11-22



Japanese and Korean Cosmetics Facing Challenges in the Chinese Market

Recently, Japanese and Korean cosmetic brands have experienced a decline in sales and rankings in the Chinese market. Notably, during China's biggest shopping festival, 'Guanggun Jie,' Japanese cosmetic brands failed to make it into the top 10, and Korean beauty (K-beauty) brands also saw lackluster performance at the 618 Shopping Festival.

The downturn in Japanese cosmetics is attributed to concerns over the Fukushima nuclear plant's water discharge and the rise of patriotic consumption ('Querchao') among China's MZ generation. Sales data from Tmall revealed a decline in Japanese brands, with names like ALLIE, NARIS, and Anessa dropping in rankings or experiencing significant sales drops. Additionally, boycott movements against Japanese cosmetics are believed to have influenced these declines.

On the other hand, K-beauty brands are struggling due to reduced influence of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) following the enactment of China's Hallyu ban and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as stiff competition in pricing with global and Chinese brands. The Chinese cosmetics market is showing a shift in trends with increasing consumption among younger generations, growth in the sensitive skin cosmetics market, and rising demand for color cosmetics, favoring local Chinese brands.

This shift in the market is weakening the position of Japanese cosmetics in China, leading to an overall decrease in sales. Additionally, negative sentiments in China towards Japan following the Fukushima nuclear incident are reducing demand for Japanese cosmetics, potentially creating new opportunities for K-beauty.

In summary, both Japanese and Korean cosmetics brands must navigate these changing consumer trends and challenges in the Chinese market, necessitating new strategic approaches.


Threepix's Atopic Dermatitis Improvement Peptide Registered in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary

Threepix has successfully registered its newly developed atopic dermatitis improvement peptide, '3BIGS SKINPEP-1,' in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (ICID). This ingredient suppresses cytokines known to be the primary cause of atopic dermatitis, showing significant effects in reducing skin inflammation.

Published by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) in the United States, this dictionary serves as an international standard guaranteeing the safety and quality of cosmetic ingredients. Threepix's registration is a significant acknowledgment of the functionality and value of their atopic dermatitis improvement peptide on an international level.

In cell and animal experiments, '3BIGS SKINPEP-1' showed superior effects in reducing skin thickness changes, inflammatory cell infiltration, and clinical evaluation of inflamed areas compared to the conventional first-line treatment, the steroid dexamethasone. Importantly, it did not exhibit side effects like skin atrophy often associated with long-term steroid use, indicating potential benefits for chronic patients.

Threepix plans to leverage this atopic dermatitis improvement peptide in collaborations with domestic and international companies, aiming to enter the cosmetics and specialized care sectors. Additionally, the company is developing candidate substances to address various diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases.


Court and Government Take Strict Measures Against Sales of Food-Imitating Cosmetics

Recently, a South Korean court and government authorities have taken strict actions against the sale of cosmetics imitating the shape of food. The Gwangju District Court ruled that the suspension of sales of such cosmetics by authorities was justified, aiming to prevent the risk of children and infants mistaking them for food and consuming them.

In a particular case, a cosmetic sales company, Company A, which sold pudding-shaped soaps, challenged the Gwangju Food and Drug Administration's one-month sales suspension order but was rejected. The court found that Company A's products were significantly similar to actual food (pudding) in shape, texture, and scent, posing a risk of ingestion accidents among children.

In Jeju Province, similar food-imitating cosmetics are still being sold. Notably, a famous company in Jeju produced pudding-shaped soaps, which even received Jeju Cosmetic Certification. Such cosmetics, particularly posing confusion risks for infants and children, are drawing attention for their safety hazards.

With the amendment of the Cosmetics Act, manufacturing and selling cosmetics imitating the form, smell, color, size, packaging, or containers of food have been prohibited. Violators face suspension of manufacturing and sales operations, imprisonment, or fines.

An official from the Korea Food and Drug Administration emphasized that if cosmetics likely to be mistaken for food are manufactured or sold, the business may face a one-month suspension. This action is considered an essential step in ensuring consumer safety and reducing the risks associated with food-imitating cosmetics.
Location: 대한민국

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Misleading Claims in Microneedle Skincare Products: 82 Cases Identified

     Recently, microneedle skincare products have gained significant popularity, but Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has uncovered that over 80% of these products being sold online are making false or exaggerated claims. After reviewing 100 online posts, the MFDS found that 82 of them violated Korea’s cosmetics regulations, leading to requests for the posts to be blocked by the Korea Communications Standards Commission. The misleading advertisements primarily claimed that microneedles could penetrate deep into the skin layers or promised immediate pore reduction, both of which are not scientifically validated for general cosmetic products. Microneedles are a medical technology designed to deliver substances into the deeper layers of the skin, typically used in drugs and medical devices. However, in the cosmetics industry, these products generally do not have the same capabilities. Some companies falsely advertised their products as having effects similar t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Modamoda's Dye Shampoo: Banned but Eyeing Market Return

Defining Modamoda Shampoo Modamoda Shampoo, launched in Korea in 2021, was designed to naturally dye your hair through regular washing. The product's creator, Modamoda's CEO, was inspired by how bananas darken over time.  The shampoo promised to avoid harmful dye ingredients such as PPDA, 5-diamine, and toluene sulfate. Instead, it was marketed as a 'self-coloring' shampoo, offering a fresh approach to hair color. Modamoda's Success Story In just five months, Modamoda generated domestic sales of 32 billion won and international sales of 28 billion won, becoming a sensation. The product's popularity even prompted criticism from rival companies, who accused Modamoda of exaggerated advertising.  In March 2022, the company made an agreement with Target to sell their product in about 1900 stores across the U.S. Their success was further confirmed when they topped the Cosmoprof North America Awards 2022, standing out amongst 1,170 hair brands. The Hurdle: THB Ingredie...
Post a Comment
Read more

Which sunscreen should I use, Inorganic or Organic?

Overview There are mainly two types of sunscreen: Physical and Chemical.  Inorganic sunscreens are also called Physical Sunscreen or Mineral Sunscreen. Organic sunscreens are also called Chemical Sunscreens. A term Inorganic and organic are derived from chemistry. * Organic Chemistry: The Study of Molecules Based on Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen * Inorganic Chemistry: The study of compounds other than organic chemicals A sunscreen can, of course, have both of these functions. It is called a Mixed sunscreen or a Combined sunscreen, and these days, many brands are developing products like this. Through this post, let's find out what inorganic and organic sunscreens are, and what sunscreens are most suitable for one to use. The difference between inorganic and organic sunscreen. Inorganic sunscreen is a sunscreen that forms a protective layer on the surface of the skin to block ultraviolet rays before they penetrate into the skin. Most product contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxid...
Post a Comment
Read more