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Korean Beauty Trends & Industry News: 24-11-08



Hazardous Substances Found in Imported Cosmetics and Jewelry Exceeding Safety Limits

    The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently tested 176 imported products purchased through international e-commerce platforms, including AliExpress, Shein, and Temu. The study found that 15 items, including jewelry and cosmetics, contained excessive levels of harmful substances like lead, cadmium, and phthalates. Among these, bracelets and other jewelry items sold on AliExpress and Shein contained up to 900 times the local limit of lead. Additionally, ear jewelry exceeded cadmium limits by 474 times, and nickel levels in necklaces were 3.8 times above the permissible threshold. In cosmetics, products such as highlighters and lip balms were found to contain carcinogenic phthalates and cadmium at up to 14.9 and 11.4 times the allowed levels, respectively. These toxic materials are known to pose serious long-term health risks, potentially damaging the nervous and reproductive systems and increasing cancer risk.

In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has requested the immediate removal of these hazardous products from online sales platforms, advising consumers to be cautious when purchasing imported products. Seoul City Health Bureau Chief Kim Tae-hee noted that while overseas online purchases may be cheaper, many of these products consistently fail safety inspections, underscoring the need for buyer vigilance.


Shinsegae Group Advances K-Beauty with "Chicor" Expansion

    Shinsegae Group is ramping up its presence in the K-beauty sector under the leadership of newly appointed Chairwoman Jung Yoo-kyung. To strengthen the company’s beauty business, Shinsegae recently reorganized its structure, giving "Chicor" – its beauty retail brand – independent status under a new Task Force (TF) dedicated to beauty strategy. Established in 2016 with the goal of becoming the “Sephora of Korea,” Chicor differentiates itself by bringing in exclusive international brands previously unavailable in the domestic market. The recent reorganization also included significant renovations for stores in Seoul's Gangnam, Yongsan, and Hongdae districts.

Shinsegae Group aims to capitalize on the rising global demand for K-beauty, with Chicor potentially expanding beyond South Korea’s competitive market into international regions. Industry observers are closely watching whether Shinsegae’s new strategic focus will enable the brand to capture a share of the younger demographic while establishing Chicor's presence in the global beauty market.


Kolmar Korea Launches "PPS" Service to Accelerate Product Launch Times by Up to 6 Months

    Kolmar Korea has introduced its new "Packaged Product Service (PPS)," which promises to cut new cosmetic product development times by up to six months, reinforcing K-beauty’s competitive edge in the global market. PPS streamlines production by offering a variety of pre-developed formulas and packaging options, allowing customers to quickly select a combination tailored to their needs and begin production almost immediately. Typically, launching a new product can take 9–12 months, but with PPS, this timeline is reduced to 3–6 months.

Currently, Kolmar Korea offers over 140 formulas across nine key product categories, such as sunscreen, creams, and cleansers. Rigorous stability testing has been conducted to ensure product safety with various packaging materials. In addition, Kolmar Korea is collaborating with its subsidiary Yonwoo, a global leader in cosmetic packaging, to provide innovative and unique packaging solutions. The company reports that interest from indie beauty brands as well as companies in the pharmaceutical and food industries is growing, with many seeking to expand into cosmetics. Kolmar Korea’s PPS initiative aims to enhance customer competitiveness while supporting mutual growth in a thriving K-beauty landscape.
Location: 대한민국

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