▲ Visitors line up for Dr. Groot's pop-up truck event held in New York, in this photo provided by LG Household & Health Care. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports of hair care products, including hair oils, conditioners and hair dyes, are rising sharply alongside the global K-beauty boom, putting annual exports on track to reach a record high this year.

 

According to trade data released by the Korea Customs Service on Monday, exports of hair care products totaled US$232.72 million during the January-May period, up 30.6 percent from $178.15 million a year earlier.

 

Annual exports of hair care products reached an all-time high of $478.17 million in 2025. If the current pace continues through the second half of the year, exports are expected to surpass last year's record.

 

Over the past five years, annual exports fell from $416.51 million in 2021 to $341.86 million in 2022, before rebounding to $358.22 million in 2023, $413.08 million in 2024 and a record $478.17 million in 2025. The United States, China and Japan were the top export destinations.

 

Industry officials attributed the growth in hair care exports to the expanding global popularity of Korean pop culture, along with the technological competitiveness of Korean cosmetics companies.

 

They said local companies have earned trust in global markets by applying research and development capabilities built in the skincare sector to hair care products featuring mild yet highly functional ingredients.

 

As overseas demand continues to grow, Korean cosmetics companies are expanding their export portfolios and strengthening marketing efforts.

 

LG Household & Health Care has been promoting products under its premium scalp care brand Dr.Groot, particularly in the North American market, while Amorepacific has been expanding its global presence with brands such as Mise en Scene and Ryo.

 

Aekyung Industrial said it is strengthening the functional product lineup of its Kerasys brand, including products for damaged hair care and hair loss symptom relief, while expanding distribution channels in key overseas markets.

 

Industry officials expect exports of Korean hair care products to continue growing for the time being.

 

"K-hair care is emerging as the next blue ocean following the K-beauty boom, and we expect overseas demand for functional hair care products to continue increasing," an industry official said.

 

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, South Korea's cosmetics exports, including hair care products, reached a record US$11.4 billion in 2025.

 

In the first half of this year, cosmetics exports climbed 27.3 percent from a year earlier to a provisional $7 billion, marking the highest first-half figure on record.

 

jwc@yna.co.kr

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]