Foreign Investors Rotate Into K-Beauty Despite Broader Korea Selloff
Selective foreign buying in APR and d’Alba Global suggests investors still see export-led K-beauty as a relative growth trade despite wider outflows from South Korean equities.
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Beauty of Joseon Stages UK Pop-Up to Deepen Retail Engagement
Beauty of Joseon will host an experiential pop-up at Westfield Stratford City over the Easter bank holiday weekend on April 3, 4, and 6. The activation is designed to strengthen the brand’s UK position as competition in Korean skincare continues to intensify. Interactive Format and Product Education The pop-up will present the brand’s story and…
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What China’s Cosmetics Exodus Tells Us About the Limits of Prestige Beauty
La Prairie recorded its third consecutive year of declining sales in 2025. In the same reporting period, Eucerin – a dermatological brand that does not advertise with celebrities, does not sell in department stores, and does not have a heritage story – grew by double digits for the fifth year running. These two brands sit…
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Vietnam Signals Tighter Oversight of Online Ads and Counterfeit Goods
Vietnam is preparing tighter oversight of unlawful online advertising and counterfeit goods, with cosmetics among the categories cited as a consumer-risk concern. A March 25 analysis said the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is working on both stronger enforcement and legal amendments aimed at digital platforms and online sellers. Planned Legal and Platform Measures…
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L’Oréal Is Already in Vietnam. The Window for V-Beauty Is Narrower Than It Looks
V-beauty’s competitive window is narrowing. In 2025, more than 20 international beauty brands closed stores or withdrew from China. The exits cut across ownership structures, price tiers, and brand heritage – Laneige, SEKKISEI, Aesop, and TATCHA. These are not coordinated decisions. They are independent business judgments that have converged on the same conclusion: the Chinese…
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Ho Chi Minh City Police Warn of Counterfeit Cosmetics Risk
Ho Chi Minh City police have warned that counterfeit cosmetics remain a direct public health risk after authorities moved against a large-scale fake beauty production and distribution ring. Police said on March 20 that five suspects had been charged in the case after approvals from local prosecutors. Seizure and Production Network According to the police,…
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Rice Water Skincare: Does It Actually Work?
Rice water has been used in Asian beauty rituals for over a thousand years. Women in Heian-era Japan (794–1185 AD) rinsed their hair and skin in leftover rice water. Vietnamese women have used it as a facial rinse and hair treatment for generations. Korean beauty brands now list it as a hero ingredient on product…
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Cocoon Winter Melon Sunscreen Review: SPF for Humid Weather
Cocoon’s Winter Melon SPF line is the brand’s most internationally discussed product – it appears in K-beauty communities, SPF forums, and Vietnamese skincare discussions with unusual consistency for a brand with limited Western distribution. The question worth answering before buying is whether the filter stack and texture actually hold up against the Korean and Japanese…
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JiYu Raises $6.5 Million to Expand in North America
JiYu has raised $6.5 million in growth capital to expand across North America and accelerate clinical product development. The Korean skincare brand said the funding will support its U.S. market push as it tracks toward more than $70 million in annual revenue in 2026. North America Expansion Plan The company said the round included private…
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Shiseido Wins Grand Prix and Bronze at Spikes Asia 2026
Shiseido has won two awards at Spikes Asia 2026 in Singapore, including a Grand Prix in the Design category. The company said on March 23 that the recognition went to two projects focused on Japanese cultural expression and preservation. Award-Winning Projects According to Shiseido, “BEST AFTER 2055” received the Grand Prix for a project built…
