South Korea
The South Korean cosmetics market is growing at a faster rate than in developed regions and there is a clear trend of the market heading towards premium cosmetic products.
In Korea, cosmetics and related products such as foods, food additives and pharmaceuticals are regulated by the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA).
The Korean Cosmetic Products Act (KPCA) categorizes cosmetic products into three major categories: general cosmetics; functional cosmetics; and quasi-drugs; with both functional cosmetics and quasi-drugs needing to be approved by the KFDA before they are placed on the market in Korea.