TOP 5 KOREAN COSMETICS BRAND SHOPS

Korean cosmetics brand shops are known to offer high quality cosmetics at very affordable prices from 5 to 40 USD. If you are planning to visit Korea, cosmetic products should be at the top of your shopping list. But there are simply too many different brands on the street, and we don't know which one we should go for. Here are top five cosmetic brands the locals actually buy.

1. The Faceshop : Sales 550 million USD 

Long time rival with Missha is gradually getting ahead of its rival. The top selling cosmetic brands has constantly expanded its market share ever since it became part of LG group and finally became the most sold cosmetics brand shop in 2013. The Faceshop has full product lines range from 4,000 to 40,000 KRW. Moisturizing products and essence are enjoying attention from the public.   

2. Missha : Sales 440 million USD

It was mere revolution when Missha, the very first brand shop, came to the market with shockingly low price. Missha constantly enlightened Korean customers that Missha products contain just as good ingredient as the luxury foreign brands, and it did not take much time until it got full attention from Korean people. Despite the glorious past success, it started declining since 2012 and finally lost the throne to The Faceshop in 2013.

3. Etude : Sales 330 Million USD

Etude is a branch of Amore Pacific group. Amore Pacific and LG are the biggest and most trusted cosmetic companies in Korea for its expertise and know-how, and recently, Amore Pacific's growth outpaces its long time rival LG. Unlike other brand shops, Etude has got relatively long history dated back to 1985, and moisturizing collagen line is its' best seller.

4. Innisfree : Sales 320 Million USD

Innisfree is the hottest cosmetic brand from Amore Pacific Group, and it is gaining market share at amazingly fast pace. Innisfree showed 70% growth in sales since 2011 and it seems to be a matter of time for this rising star to battle for the top spot with The Faceshop in 2015.

5. Skinfood, Tonymoly and Nature Republic :
    Sales 170 Million USD each

These second tier brands are almost equally sold. Despite relatively short history, the three brands have successfully taken up market share, but there still is a bit of margin between these second tier players and the top four. Skinfood and Nature Republic have got strength in skin care line, and Tonymoly is well known for its lipstick line.

Written by karly

She graduated in a university in Korea double majoring in social studies and political science. After graduation, she worked for a while at the Nation of Assembly of Republic of Korea, but now she is working as a reporter. Having a life goal of being a Asia-specialized travel reporter, she travels around the world in her spare time.