Tariffs could change your 10-step Korean skin care routine

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The beauty shops in Manhattan's Koreatown are full even on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. However, an employee who spoke to CNN published some warnings: a popular sunscreen has changed her formula because it is now being manufactured in the USA. Another has been sold out for weeks.

The effects of tariffs on the Korean beauty industry

With the 25% customs fees that President Donald Trump introduced on Wednesday compared to the long -standing trade allied South Korea, further changes are expected. The incumbent President of South Korea, Han Duck-Soo, previously told CNN that his country would not defend himself against the tariffs, but instead hopes for negotiations with the USA.

growth of Korean cosmetics in the USA

Just a decade ago, Korean beauty products were barely found on the shelves of American business. According to data from the US International Trade Commission of 2024, the USA imports cosmetic products worth $ 1.7 billion from South Korea-more than from the beauty country of France. The large Korean cosmetics companies have millions of customers worldwide. An example is Amore Pacific, which recorded sales of $ 2.87 billion in 2024, whereby sales in America exceeded them for the first time.

Popularity of K-Beauty products

Together with K dramas and K-pop groups, American consumers cannot get enough of affordable, highly filtering Korean sunscreens, "Glass Skin" facial and ten-step skin care routines. However, many of these products, especially sunscreen, contain modern UVA and UVB filters that have not yet been approved by the US Health Authority FDA. This means that the biggest fans of Korean skin care in the United States have no alternatives.

customers react to possible price increases

At a time when Trump's customs policy could increase prices and change product formulas, many consumers are concerned. A Tikok user recently commented in a video: "I feel bad. If I have to use American skin care products, my face will age in the recession." (The USA is not formally in a recession .)

The consequences for small companies

Christina in, the owner of the US Korean skin care company Olive Collection, bought products worth around $ 40,000 from her suppliers last weekend after Trump announced the tariff. In a typical week, your company usually spends between $ 5,000 and $ 10,000 for products.

"As a small company, we don't have enough cash to buy everything in large quantities," said im. "We bought as much as we could and now have to wait." She hopes to be able to absorb some costs without significantly increasing the prices, but is aware that customers are more reluctant to issue

growth opportunities despite challenges

The Korean skin care stark Kravebeauty announced in a TikK video that prices have always been below $ 28 since it was founded seven years ago. But that could change with the new deliveries from South Korea.

"This is not a sign of greed. It is simply inevitable at this time," said Liah Yoo, the founder of Kravebeauty.

global changes in trade

Since some Korean brands no longer offer their sunscreens in the USA or have relocated production to the USA, consumers could soon encounter products that no longer contain the original ingredients. "If it is not produced in the same way and does not have the same effect, people will not buy these products," explains Andrew Yeo from Brookings Institution.

The Korean industry could be forced to diversify its trading partners. But for Americans who are used to the products, it will be difficult to switch to other brands.

As a Tikok user aptly noticed: "You can book a flight ticket to Korea right away."