Korea's Biohealth Exports Reach Record $24.8 Billion, Cosmetics Surge 31%
The Korea Health Industry Development Institute reported total shipments hit $24.75 billion in the first nine months of 2026, with skincare products driving significant growth in the cosmetics sector.
Record Export Performance for Biohealth Sector
South Korea's biohealth sector achieved a new export record in the first nine months of 2026, with total shipments reaching $24.75 billion. This represents a 19.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).
The significant growth was primarily driven by a substantial rise in cosmetics exports, which climbed 31 percent to $11.13 billion during this period. Pharmaceutical exports also contributed to the overall expansion, increasing 14.2 percent to $8.93 billion, while medical device exports grew 6.2 percent to $4.7 billion.
Skincare Products Lead Cosmetics Growth
Within the cosmetics category, skincare products were a key growth driver, with exports rising 37.7 percent to a record $8.71 billion. This segment alone accounted for approximately 78.3 percent of all cosmetics exports. Shipments of skincare items to the United States saw a 49.1 percent increase, reaching $1.8 billion.
European markets also showed strong demand, with exports to the United Kingdom surging 210.5 percent to $400 million and to the Netherlands increasing 366.1 percent to $330 million. Personal cleansing products also recorded a 30.6 percent increase, achieving $550 million in exports, including a 34.1 percent rise to the U.S., totaling $120 million.
Expansion in Professional Aesthetics and Toxins
Beyond traditional cosmetics, professional aesthetic products and related categories also experienced notable export growth. Exports of toxins and toxoids, which include botulinum toxin, expanded 43.1 percent to a record $430 million. Demand for these products increased across the Americas and Asia.
Medical laser devices, often used in aesthetic treatments, saw exports grow 15.2 percent to a record $420 million. Southeast Asia and Latin America were significant markets for these devices, with exports to Thailand rising 19.6 percent to $30 million and shipments to Brazil more than doubling by 102.3 percent to $20 million.
Outlook and Regulatory Challenges for Exporters
Choi Young-im, director of KHIDI's Biohealth Innovation Planning Department, anticipates that continued demand for biopharmaceuticals in Europe and skincare products in Western markets will push annual biohealth exports past $30 billion for the first time this year. However, she cautioned Korean exporters to closely monitor evolving regulatory environments.
Changes include gradually expanding U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals, European pharmaceutical regulatory reforms, and mandatory medical device registration requirements. For Asia's beauty and aesthetic device manufacturers, adapting proactively to these policy shifts in key export markets will be crucial to sustain growth.
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