Skip to main content

Korean Beauty Trends & Industry News: 24-04-29


Carcinogen Benzene Detected in High Concentrations in Acne Products

    Recent investigations by Valisure, an independent American laboratory, have detected high concentrations of benzene, a known carcinogen, in acne treatment products. These products contain benzoyl peroxide, a compound that can generate benzene when exposed to high temperatures, such as those found in cars or warm bathrooms.

Brands affected include Estée Lauder's Clinique, Target's Up & Up, and Reckitt Benckiser's Clearasil. Valisure has requested that the FDA recall these products and reconsider industry guidelines regarding acceptable levels of benzene. Benzene is classified as a Class 1 carcinogen with potential links to acute myeloid leukemia. The FDA currently restricts benzene content in pharmaceuticals to no more than 2ppm under unavoidable circumstances.

The issue of benzene detection in skincare products was a major topic at a recent American Academy of Dermatology meeting, emphasizing the dangers of storing benzoyl peroxide-containing products in high-temperature environments. Recommendations were made for storing such products in cooler settings to slow down the decomposition process that leads to benzene formation.

Consumers are advised to scrutinize product ingredients carefully and avoid using products containing benzoyl peroxide if safety cannot be assured. Maintaining a proper skincare routine and correct cleansing methods are suggested to manage acne effectively.


Cosmax Leads Innovation in Skincare with Cellulose Technology for Ceramides

    Cosmax, a global leader in cosmetic research, development, and production, has pioneered a novel skin delivery technology using cellulose to stabilize ceramides, crucial for maintaining skin barrier function but challenging to stabilize in cosmetic formulations due to their crystalline nature.

This innovative technology was developed in collaboration with Professor Jinwoong Kim from Sungkyunkwan University's School of Chemical Engineering. It involves coating the surface of the skin delivery system with cellulose, which effectively prevents the crystallization of ceramides, thereby maintaining the stability and efficacy of the cosmetic product.

This advancement not only prevents the separation of ceramides from the rest of the cosmetic formulation but also minimizes viscosity changes, significantly enhancing product stability. The research findings have been published in the prestigious 'Chemical Engineering Journal'.

Park Cheon-ho, head of Cosmax’s R&I Center, stated that this breakthrough technology is a fundamental solution for stabilizing ceramides within cosmetic formulations and expressed the company's commitment to ongoing technological innovation through open research and development.


K-Beauty Achieves Record Exports, Expanding Globally

    The K-Beauty industry has reached a new milestone with $2.3 billion in cosmetic exports in the first quarter of this year, marking a 21.7% increase compared to the previous period. This significant growth is attributed to major cosmetic companies like Amorepacific expanding their reach into new international markets, including the US, Europe, the Middle East, and ASEAN regions.

Jung In-kyo, head of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, reviewed the K-Beauty export situation during a recent visit to Amorepacific headquarters, noting the industry’s ongoing positive export trend. He emphasized the government's commitment to supporting the global expansion of the K-Beauty industry as part of its broader strategy to achieve a $700 billion export target.

To further support this expansion, the government plans to provide over 1 trillion won in trade insurance and expand export insurance for medium and small enterprises. It will also facilitate participation in major international beauty expos and assist in entering online distribution platforms, enhancing the capabilities of K-Beauty companies to tackle foreign markets. Additional supports include strengthening overseas consumer trade office functions, providing certification cost support, and utilizing free trade agreements to overcome trade barriers.
Location: 한국

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

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

Convenience Stores Redefine the Beauty Industry in Korea

     The landscape of Korea’s beauty industry is shifting, with convenience stores emerging as unexpected players in the cosmetics market. No longer confined to high-end department stores or specialty shops, beauty products have found a new home on the shelves of GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven. By embracing affordability and accessibility, these convenience store chains are disrupting traditional distribution channels, signaling profound implications for Korea's beauty sector. Affordable Beauty for the Value-Conscious Consumer      In an era of high inflation, consumers are prioritizing practicality and value. Convenience stores have stepped in to meet these demands, offering essential skincare products like sheet masks, sunscreens, and serums at prices ranging from $0.50 to $3. These items, often packaged in single-use portions, have gained immense popularity, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials. This strategic focus on affordability is not only a nod to you...
Post a Comment
Read more