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.