The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), led by Director Oh Yu-gyeong, has announced that the nation's cosmetics exports for the first quarter of 2026 reached a provisional figure of $3.1 billion, representing a 19% increase compared to the same period last year.

This not only sets a record for any first quarter in history but also illustrates the burgeoning growth trajectory of the K-beauty sector in the global marketplace.

Annual export figures have demonstrated significant upward momentum, with projections indicating a rise from $8 billion in 2022 to $8.5 billion in 2023 and expected growth to $10.2 billion in 2024.

The total exports for 2025 are estimated to reach approximately $11.4 billion, up from last year's $11.4 billion.

Analysis of quarterly trends reveals that exports in the first quarter have gradually increased, starting from $1.8 billion in 2022 (a -22.2% decline) to $1.9 billion in 2023 (a +5.6% increase), followed by forecasted figures of $2.3 billion in 2024 (+21.0%) and $2.6 billion in 2025 (+13.0%).

The current year has achieved a remarkable figure of $3.1 billion, reflecting a significant recovery and growth.

In examining the month-by-month breakdown, the MFDS reported that there was little fluctuation in export figures for January and February.

However, March recorded a substantial increase of 29.3%, contributing significantly to this quarter's historic achievements, reaching $1.19 billion.

### Leading Markets and Product Categories

In terms of market distribution, the United States remains the leading destination for Korean cosmetics, with exports amounting to $620 million in Q1, accounting for 19.8% of total exports.

China follows closely at $470 million (15.0%) and Japan at $290 million (9.3%). Since becoming the top export nation for Korean cosmetics last year, the U.

S. has continued to hold this position despite ongoing changes in tariffs and trade environments, indicating that the popularity of K-beauty products remains robust, driven by a wave of K-content enthusiasm.

The surge in U. S. exports represents a $180 million increase (40.9%) compared to the same period last year. Over the years, U.

S. cosmetics export shares have risen from 11.7% in 2022 to a forecast of 19.8% in the current year, showcasing a solid upward trend.

Controversially, exports to China have seen a decline of $50 million (-9.6%), while Japan has experienced modest growth of $20 million (+7.4%).

This fluctuation in exports necessitates close monitoring for market strategies moving forward. ### Product Segment Performance

Delving into product-specific exports, skincare products led the charge with $2.43 billion (up $510 million, +26.5%), followed by color cosmetics at $330 million (up $30 million, +8.5%), and cleansing products at $160 million (up $30 million, +28.1%).

The performance in the United States was notably strong across most categories: skincare exports soared to $470 million (up from $320 million, +46.9%), while color cosmetics and cleansing products also showed promising increases.

In contrast, export figures to China reflected a downturn in all categories, particularly skincare, which dipped to $360 million (down from $400 million, -10%); color cosmetics declined to $530 million (down from $580 million, -8.6%); and cleansing products decreased to $260 million (down from $320 million, -18.8%).

Japan's skincare exports, however, rose to $170 million (up from $150 million, +13.3%). ### Strategic Government Support

In response to the growing global interest in K-beauty, the MFDS emphasizes its commitment to enhancing the international competitiveness of Korean cosmetics through multifaceted regulatory diplomacy.

In September, the MFDS plans to host the Global Cosmetics Regulatory Authority Summit (GCORAS), an expansion of the One Asia Beauty Forum to include stakeholders from central and South America, aimed at fostering collaborative innovation in global cosmetics regulations.

The MFDS has also strengthened bilateral regulatory cooperation with Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), formalized through a memorandum of understanding in February, further collaborating through meetings designed to smooth the export process for domestic companies.

The MFDS has established a cooperative structure with China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) since last September, facilitating regular meetings to streamline exports.

Furthermore, ongoing support through the Cosmetics Global Regulatory Harmonization Support Center continues to provide the industry with essential regulatory training and information to facilitate overseas operations.

As K-beauty continues to thrive, the MFDS reaffirms its dedication to ensuring that exceptional Korean cosmetic products gain increased visibility and accessibility in the global market through targeted policy support.