Sat, 02 Aug 2025

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 How South Korea's K-beauty industry is being hit by Trump tariffs

Buyers and sellers of South Korean beauty products are stocking up as the 15% US tariff rolls out.

* In recent years, demand for South Korean beauty products (K-beauty) has soared globally.
* US-based Pearl Mak introduced K-beauty to her friends and now uses 95% of her skincare products from these brands due to their quality and gentler ingredients.
* Americans spent $1.7bn on K-beauty products in 2024, a 50% increase from the previous year.
* The products are often more affordable than Western counterparts but contain unique ingredients like heartleaf and snail mucin.
* US President Donald Trump has imposed a 15% import tax on South Korean goods, including beauty products.
* Retailers report a surge in orders since Trump's tariff announcement, with some customers stockpiling products before prices rise.
* Prices are expected to increase as the levies push up costs across the industry, especially for smaller sellers with slim profit margins.
* Despite higher prices, K-beauty products remain popular due to their unique appeal and global cultural influence.
* Big brands may be able to absorb the cost of tariffs without major price rises, but smaller firms will struggle to keep costs low.
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