Lightweight formulas and skincare benefits drive overseas demand as cosmetics makers push ahead with advanced sun-care technology
Korean sunscreens are gaining ground in global beauty markets, with products developed through a partnership between cosmetics manufacturer Kolmar Korea and beauty company Goodai Global surpassing 100 million units in cumulative sales over five years.
The milestone, reached in March, highlights the growing appeal of Korean sunscreens that offer more than ultraviolet protection. Lightweight textures, minimal white cast and added skincare benefits have become key selling points overseas, helping transform sunscreen from a seasonal necessity into an everyday skincare essential.
Among the standout products is Beauty of Joseon's Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics, developed by Kolmar Korea for a Goodai Global-affiliated brand. The lotion-like sunscreen ranked No. 1 in Amazon US' sunscreen category during Black Friday from 2021 to 2023, according to the companies.
Another Kolmar-developed product, Round Lab's Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen, was named one of the best sunscreens in the US in 2025 by NBC.
Behind the global success is a division of labor that has become a key strength of Korea's beauty industry.
While brands such as Goodai Global identify consumer trends and develop product concepts, original development manufacturers, such as Kolmar Korea, turn those ideas into commercially viable formulas tailored to different markets.
Kolmar Korea has built its manufacturing expertise through partnerships with some 4,800 clients over 36 years, accumulating extensive formulation and market data across a broad range of cosmetics products.
The company has placed particular emphasis on suncare technology, establishing one of Korea's first research centers dedicated to UV protection in 2022.
Kolmar Korea estimates that products linked to its technology account for more than 70 percent of South Korea's suncare market. The company also holds more than 110 UV-protection-related patents, underscoring its focus on developing specialized sunscreen formulas.
Now, Kolmar is looking beyond conventional UV protection to develop the next generation of suncare products.
Its researchers have developed formulations designed to protect against not only UV-A and UV-B rays but also blue light, near-infrared radiation and high-energy visible light, expanding its research into different forms of light exposure.
The company is also exploring longer-term technologies, including genome-based personalized sunscreens, self-healing protective films, microbiome-friendly formulations and biodegradable vegan UV filters.
The push reflects a broader shift in the sunscreen market, where product innovation increasingly centers on combining protection, skincare benefits and comfortable daily wear.
"Kolmar Korea's long-term research and ODM capabilities have contributed to the global growth of Korean sunscreens," a company official said. "We will continue investing in R&D to expand our presence overseas and further strengthen K-beauty's competitiveness."
hwkan@heraldcorp.com
