Shoppers with a heightened awareness of the harmful chemical substances used in cosmetics are driving sales of high-end skincare products that are mostly hypoallergenic and rely on naturally derived ingredients. (Image: Olive Young)
SEOUL, April 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Shoppers with a heightened awareness of harmful chemical substances used in consumer products are driving sales of high-end skincare products that are mostly hypoallergenic and rely on naturally derived ingredients. Beautyshop-and-drugstore chain Olive Young announced Q1 revenue generated from such products was 200 percent higher than in the preceding quarter.
Last year was marred by a double whammy of hazardous chemical substance-related scandals – the “pesticide egg” and “toxic sanitary pad” controversies – putting a scare into South Korean consumers and instilling a sense of terror of chemical substances in some that has been called “chemophobia”.
According to a study undertaken by Yoo Myeong-soon of Seoul National University earlier in the year, 40.7 percent of 1,541 adults interviewed said, “Chemical substances and the dangers posed by them are too fear-inducing, which is why I don’t even want to think about them.”
In addition, the study also found that 15.4 percent felt extreme fear, made efforts to minimize exposure to chemical substances and experienced physical symptoms such as a cold sweat or rough breathing caused by fear; individuals in this category were classified as members of a potential chemophobia group.
Against this backdrop, products like “Pure Cleansing Oil” by Manyo Factory, which incorporates 99.9 percent oil derived from plants, are selling to the point where they have become hot commodities at Olive Young stores.
Isntree, a brand known to eschew animal testing methods and stay away from incorporating harmful ingredients, has seen revenues jump more than tenfold, while “I’m From Honey Mask” products using naturally produced honey from South Korea’s second-tallest mountain, Jirisan, experienced even greater explosive growth this past March.
Line of “I’m From” products (Image: I’m From website screenshot)
A spokesperson for Olive Young said, “Until only recently, cosmetics products became instantaneous hits when reviews spread through word of mouth. But now, a generational shift is happening, a change that is moving towards brands that put forth their use of ‘ingredients’ that consumers can feel safe buying.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
