New York City analysts Spate has identified soaring interest in salicylic acid among beauty consumers in South Korea.
The company said internet searches for salicylic acid is the top-growing ingredient in Korean skincare, with a year-on-year growth of 7801.5%.
This ingredient is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties and gentle exfoliation.
“Brands should take note that in Korea, foam cleansers are the top keywords associated with salicylic acid within skincare,” said a Spate spokeswoman.
“This trend extends beyond Korea, as salicylic acid cleanser searches in the US have increased by 6.8% year on year, indicating that it's gaining traction in the US market as well,” she added.
In second place for internet searches in skincare ingredients in Korea is hydroquinone, which has grown 239.2% in the past year. Most searches are focusing on hydroquinone ointment.
“Hydroquinone is known to target discoloration — searches for discoloration alongside beauty are up 12.2% year on year in Korea. Searches for discoloration alongside beauty is also up 2.9% year on year in the US highlighting the concern across markets,” the spokeswoman said.
“Brands should be aware the hydroquinone is a prescription only ingredient, supporting the consumer’s desire for strong, dermatologist-prescribed actives,” she added.
“These two ingredients suggest that Korean consumers are searching for stronger solutions to address skincare concerns, which is atypical of the usual Korean sentiment of being gentle and hydrating.”
