K-Beauty Shifts from Animal to Plant: Clean, Vegan Ingredients Gain Traction
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Korean cosmetics are pivoting from animal-derived actives to plant-based, “clean” ingredients as consumers—especially young adults—prioritize safety, low irritation, and sustainability. Brands and ODMs highlight specific botanical components (e.g., Rice Bran Water) on packaging and search rankings, and demand for vegan products has surged (searches up 2600% on a local app). Manufacturers like Korea Kolmar and COSMAX developed plant-derived alternatives to popular animal-origin ingredients such as salmon PDRN and glycosaminoglycans (key in “snail cream”), and are exploring microbial biosynthesis for novel actives like “bio desert oil” and cica peptides. The trend supports skincare sales, opens halal and vegan market opportunities, and is driven by stricter environmental and ingredient scrutiny throughout product lifecycles.
