Korean Beauty Products Without Hyaluronic Acid 

Welcome back to another year of K-Beauty! On episode 259 of the Korean Beauty Show podcast, we’re kicking off 2025 with a round up of the latest news and current affairs that have been happening in the industry over the holiday break. We've got multiple mergers and acquisitions and in huge news K-Beauty exports have officially surpassed the US $10 billion mark. Plus, we’re answering a listener’s question about the elusive Korean beauty products that don’t contain hyaluronic acid. Lauren shares her recommendations for Korean makeup brushes to try and a new drama to add to your list. 

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Korean Beauty News Headlines

 

Korean Beauty Mergers & Acquisitions:Manyo Factory bought by K & L Partners

• Private equity fund manager KL & Partners signed a contract to acquire a 51.87% stake in Manyo Factoryfor 190 billion won on 4 January 2025. 
• Manyo Factory has successfully penetrated local online and offline channels in the US in recent history, starting with the world's largest e-commerce platform, Amazon. 
• In July last year, they also entered major U.S. retailers Costco and Ulta, leading to a  298% year-on-year increase in U.S. sales in the first half of last year.
• This contributed to the company's consolidated sales of 105 billion won and an operating profit of 15.9 billion won last year.
• Source: Businesskorea(https://www.businesskorea.co.kr)

 

Korean Beauty Mergers & Acquisitions:Dr G bought by L’Oreal 

• At the end of December, L’Oreal Group announced its decision to acquire Korean beauty brand Dr. G.

• Samuel du Retail, President of L’Oréal Korea, claims: “Having Dr.G brand … with us will further strengthen L’Oréal engagement with the Korean beauty ecosystem and allow us to expand the reach of K-Beauty globally.”

• L'Oréal previously acquired K-Beauty brand 3CE. 

• Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed

• Source: L'Oreal Group Press Release 

 

K-Beauty Exports Surpass $10 billion USD for the first time

• The big news to come out of the end of 2024 was that Korean Beauty exports finally surpassed the $10 billion USD mark for the first time.
• The highest countries by export were China, the United States and Japan
• Products driving growth are basic skincare, makeup and cleansing
• Source: Korea Herald 

Question of the Week: Korean Beauty Products Without Hyaluronic Acid 

This week's question of the week came from one of our Instagram followers, who asked: "What are some Korean beauty products without hyaluronic acid in them?"

Now I will caveat that this list and information is up to date to the best of my knowledge as at January 2025. Please just make sure you check the ingredients lists first before purchasing any of these products if you are trying to avoid hyaluronic acid in your skin care routine because as you know K-Beauty products tend to be upgraded and reformulated pretty consistently so this may change.

The main reason I say this is because a lot of people discover the podcast a few years after the episodes are released so this info might not be accurate if you're tuning in later. 

Korean Beauty Products Without Hyaluronic Acid

• Atobarrier 365 Hydro Essence - uses glycerin and squalane as a base instead of HA.  

• Round Lab Dokdo Toner- I personally don’t rate this toner at all but it is an option without hyaluronic acid. For what it’s worth this toner has always been very popular in Korea. Anecdotally, I think that might have a lot to do with patriotism around Korea's claims over Dokdo Island than the strength of the product itself but again that's just my opinion ;) 

• iUnik Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum- just watch out for this one if you have rosacea as I know it triggers mine, but this is another option for hydrating the skin without hyaluronic acid. 

• Mixsoon Bean Essence- this product uses glycerin as a base. I really enjoyed using this product. It’s not something I would repurchase just because I prefer other products in my daily routine but I found this to be an enjoyable, hydrating layer that dried down nicely on my extremely dry, sensitive and reactive skin. The texture is very reminiscent of snail mucin, but minus the snail for those with dust-mite allergies. 

K-Beauty Products to Try:Picasso makeup brushes 

Picasso is a Korean brand that has been around for 30 years.The inspiration for the brand was the founders mother, who graduated from Busan Beauty Academy and ran a beauty salon in Jinhae.She sold handmade makeup brushes that were like traditional Korean calligraphy brushes.

In the 90s the founder began making makeup brushes that are handcrafted, beautifully soft and very easy to use.

They aren’t the cheapest by Korean standards but they’re no more expensive than what’s being sold in Sephora 

Recommendation of the Week: Drama “When the Phone Rings”

This K-drama follows the story of politician Baek Sa Eon and his wife, a selectively mute sign-language interpreter Hong Hee Joo. Together, they have spent the past three years in a loveless arranged marriage. While she is driving one night, a masked man hops into her car and threatens her life. 

I thought that overall it was a good watch.It started off so strongly but as with many dramas got weaker as the run continued particularly towards the last few episodes.However, all in all it was an interesting storyline.

The show has been trending on Netflix internationally and has subtitles available in English. 

 

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