Exports to China rose 26.7 percent on-year to $337 million over the three-month period, despite Beijing's recent movement to restrict imports from South Korea in retaliation against Seoul's plan to deploy the US-led missile defense system, or THAAD.

For all of 2016, cosmetics exports surged 40.7 percent on-year to a record $3.45 billion, far outnumbering imports of $1.1 billion.

Exports of skincare products, such as toners, facial mask sheets and serums, reached $1.68 billion last year, while those of makeup goods, including sun blocks, BB creams and foundations, totaled $342 million.

By country, China bought $1.24 billion worth of South Korean cosmetics last year, up 25 percent from a year ago, while the United States and Japan imported $298 million and $155 million, respectively. (Yonhap)