Whether you were first entranced by the glowing, flawless skin of an Asian-American celebrity here in the States; or more recently with the introduction of K-Pop and the influx of Korean culture into our media culture, one of the first things many people think of when they first hear Korean culture is beauty. Now there is no shortage of beauty, skin, hair and other product groups based here in the U.S., so why has K-Beauty sweeped in and become the next big thing? When you look at the technology, the innovations in recent years, how effective these products actually are, and - quite frankly - the affordability factor, it is no wonder that K-Beauty has become a world leader in the industry.
Innovation & Technology
Now when we are looking at the technology and innovations of the K-Beauty industry, it is important to understand why all of these innovations happened in such a seemingly short amount of time. Korean women on average spend over twice as much on beauty and skincare as women in the United States; and beyond just women, Korean men spend an exponentially larger amount on skin care and beauty than men anywhere else in the world do. Below are a few more statistics about Korean Beauty from online beauty site writer Anna M. Park on beautytap.com:
In 2015, Korea exported $2.6 billion worth of cosmetic goods, more than double what they exported in 2012.
By 2020, the Korean beauty industry is expected to hit $13.1 billion, according to Euromonitor.
Korean beauty technology is estimated to be 12 to 14 years ahead of the U.S.
There are thousands of Korean beauty brands on the market, far more than any other country.
The top Korean beauty companies launch 20 to 30 new products per month, compared to Western brands that launch 10 to 30 per year.
To keep up with the demand, top Korean beauty companies spend millions on research and development, coming up with more innovations faster than anywhere else in the world. AmorePacific, one of Korea’s largest beauty companies, spends $100 million a year on R&D alone.
While skincare in much of Europe and the United States is viewed almost as a luxury, Koreans and many other asian nations view it as a fact and way of life. Because physical beauty is so important and maintaining a certain look or aspect of perfection in physical beauty, it is no wonder they are the leaders in makeup and skin care product creation. Their products are extensive and seem a bit ridiculous at times mostly because they are creating products not just for a group of people but so that there is at least one product that will work for everyone.
Effectiveness & Affordability
These products are seen as being effective because from influencers to everyday consumers here and abroad, the before and after photos look doctored but when you see live video footage on YouTube, it is crazy how quickly these transformations happen.
K-Beauty products are not just affordable here and abroad, but they are accessible whether being found in grocery stores, Ulta, Sephora, or other store fronts that distribute beauty products or through being able to order these products online that ship almost anywhere in the world. And thanks to the K-Entertainment industry that works interconnectedly with the beauty industry, these products are only going to be more accessible and affordable. Whether being advertised by the actors, ‘Idols’, or characters that appear in Korean Media, the demand becomes so high that costs to the consumer decline rapidly. So anyone looking to get started on a K-Beauty routine, now is the perfect time to try it!
My K-Beauty Story
I had been struggling with cystic acne, rosacea, blackheads; the issues I had with my skin texture and tone go on and on. After spending hundreds on a various array of skincare brands, I was so close to giving up towards the end of
my college career. But then I met someone at an internship connection convention, I met my now very good friend and roommate who introduced me to the K-Beauty world. After giving me the rundown of what steps I should focus on and finding products worth the money I was spending, within 2 weeks, my acne flare ups had stopped and the blackheads and large pores on my nose had shrunk rapidly.
Korean Skin Care uses some unique ingredients and a wide array of products. Though you may see online people trying 10, 15 or even 20 step K-Beauty Routines, I will be the first to tell you, all of those steps aren’t necessary. Once you learn what your specific skin care needs are, it is super simple to fill in your skincare rotation and you will save so much money, time, and especially effort and your skin will literally transform overnight.
