Domestic cosmetics exports in the first half of this year reached $7 billion (approximately 10.878 trillion won), the highest among all first-half performance records. On the 2nd, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that Korea's cosmetics exports in the first half of 2026 were calculated to be $7 billion, a 27.3% increase from the first half of last year ($5.5 billion). Cosmetics exports in the second quarter of this year also amounted to $3.9 billion, an increase of 25.8% from the first quarter ($3.1 billion). By country, the United States was the largest with $1.45 billion, accounting for 20.7% of total exports. Exports to the United States in the first half of this year increased by $430 million compared to the same period last year. In particular, the U.S. ranked first among Korean cosmetics exporters for the first time last year, and has maintained the top spot since the first quarter of last year. In relation to this, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety explained, “It has been confirmed that the popularity of domestic cosmetics is not temporary in the U.S. and is maintained stably.” On the other hand, exports to China amounted to $1.01 billion, down $70 million from the same period last year.