Why Vegan and Clean Beauty Are Booming in Korea
K-beauty used to be all about innovation — new textures, new routines, new technologies.
Now, it’s also about responsibility.
In 2025, Korean consumers — especially Gen Z and millennials — are driving a shift toward vegan and clean beauty.
They want skincare that feels good and does good.
“People don’t just want perfect skin anymore.
They want to know where their products come from.” — Elle Korea, 2025
This change is fueled by three forces:
1️⃣ Transparency.
Brands now disclose every ingredient and manufacturing process.
2️⃣ Sustainability.
Packaging is recyclable, refillable, or biodegradable.
3️⃣ Ethics.
No animal testing, no microplastics, no guilt.
🌱 What Makes “Clean” Different in K-Beauty Standards
In Western beauty, “clean” often means “free from harmful chemicals.”
In Korea, the term goes further — it’s “safe, sustainable, and sensorial.”
Korean clean beauty doesn’t reject science; it balances nature and technology.
Brands use biotech ingredients (like plant-based ceramides and vegan collagen)
to replace animal derivatives without losing performance.
💡 In short: Korean clean beauty = gentle formulas + modern efficacy + ethical values.
🧴 #1 Torriden — Minimalism Meets Sustainability
Torriden has quietly become one of Korea’s most admired vegan skincare brands.
Its Dive-In and Solid-In lines focus on hydration and barrier repair using eco-certified ingredients.
- Founded: 2016
- Core philosophy: “Simple formulas, sustainable results.”
- Hero ingredient: Low-molecular hyaluronic acid (vegan grade)
Packaging is fully recyclable, and the brand recently launched a refill program through Olive Young.
🕊 #2 Dear, Klairs — Cruelty-Free Skincare Pioneer
Long before “clean beauty” became a hashtag, Dear, Klairs built its entire identity on it.
Every product is vegan-friendly, fragrance-free, and clinically tested.
- Founded: 2010 (by WishCompany)
- Star products: Supple Preparation Toner, Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
- Slogan: “Simple but enough.”
It’s one of the first Korean brands to gain PETA cruelty-free certification,
and its gentle formulas have made it a global bestseller for sensitive skin.
🌸 #3 Aromatica — Eco-Label Champion
Aromatica is the OG eco-beauty brand of Korea.
It’s the first to receive both ECOCERT and EWG Verified labels.
- Founded: 2004
- Specialty: Aromatherapy-based vegan formulas
- Popular items: Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo, Aloe Vera Gel
Its Seoul flagship store runs on solar power, and refill stations allow customers to bring their own bottles.
🌼 #4 Melixir — Vegan Glow with Seoul Spirit
Melixir has become a cult-favorite among vegan millennials.
This Seoul-based brand embraces sustainability and emotional wellness — a skincare line designed to connect self-care with kindness.
- Founded: 2018
- Star products: Vegan Lip Butter, Vegan Balancing Toner
- Philosophy: “Plant-based formulas for humans and the planet.”
Every product is vegan, recyclable, and made with certified botanical extracts like matcha and agave.
Its Vegan Lip Butter became a viral hit for its smooth, buttery texture and sustainable bamboo packaging.
🌾 #5 Beplain — Gentle Formula, Strong Ethics
Beplain takes “clean beauty” to its purest form — zero animal testing, zero artificial fragrance, and 100% vegan-friendly.
- Founded: 2016
- Flagship products: Greenful pH-Balanced Cleanser, Chamomile Toner
- Concept: Eco-simplicity with dermatological care
The brand’s minimalist beige packaging reflects its ingredient transparency.
Beplain has also launched a “Waterless Beauty” initiative — reducing water waste in formulations and manufacturing.
🧫 #6 Dr. Ceuracle — Science-Driven Vegan Innovation
Originally known for its dermatology roots, Dr. Ceuracle reinvented itself as a vegan-friendly, clinical-grade brand.
- Founded: 2000 (formerly Leegeehaam)
- Flagship products: Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence, Pro Balance Cream
- Motto: “Where science meets sustainability.”
Its Kombucha Essence became a sensation for improving skin microbiome balance —
a blend of tea fermentation science and clean beauty ethics.
💄 #7 Hince — Ethical Makeup with Artistic Vibes
Hince brought the “mood beauty” concept into vegan cosmetics.
Its products are cruelty-free, vegan-certified, and inspired by minimal, artistic aesthetics.
- Founded: 2019
- Popular products: Mood Enhancer Lip, Second Skin Foundation
- Concept: “True beauty inspires confidence.”
Hince makeup is designed to highlight individuality rather than conceal it —
a philosophy that resonates strongly with young, creative consumers worldwide.
🌸 #8 Round Around — Nature Reimagined
A sister brand of Olive Young, Round Around focuses on eco-certified ingredients and simple packaging for sensitive skin.
- Founded: 2018
- Best-sellers: Green Tea Toner, Birch Juice Lotion
- Ethics: 100% vegan, recyclable packaging, no parabens or PEGs
Its gentle scent-free formulas have earned global recognition among clean beauty enthusiasts.
🌍 How Korean Vegan Beauty Is Redefining Global Standards
The rise of vegan and clean beauty in Korea signals a deeper transformation —
a beauty industry that values ethics as much as efficacy.
Korean brands aren’t just following global trends; they’re leading them.
By merging cutting-edge science with eco-conscious values,
they’re setting new global standards for what “responsible beauty” means.
“K-beauty’s next revolution isn’t technology — it’s compassion.” — Harper’s Bazaar Korea, 2025
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