Products from It's Skin contain no paraben, benzophenone 4, denatured alcohol, mineral oil and synthetic fragrance.

Makers expand range of formulations based on various natural extracts.

With the proliferation of anti-aging and whitening products on the market, companies in South Korea’s skin treatment line are stepping up R&D further to keep ahead of the competition. They are testing new ingredients, in particular organic and nontoxic kinds, to add to breakthroughs, which have been fueling the local industry’s strong growth.

It's Skin Co. Ltd markets clinical skin solutions free of major additives considered potentially harmful. These chemicals are paraben, benzophenone 4, denatured alcohol, mineral oil and synthetic fragrance.

Said to have introduced popular snail creams in the country, the maker offers the Prestige Cream D’Escargot, which contains 21 percent mucin or the mucous protein secreted by the mollusk. The substance has chondroitin, which helps increase skin elasticity and moisture, and rejuvenates and protects damaged skin. There is also the Ginseng D’Escargot, which has the company’s patented ginseng components used to enhance mucin’s regenerative properties.

Dermafirm Inc. develops materials based on Epidermal Growth Factor, peptides, stem cells and naturally fermented ingredients to achieve therapeutic effects.

Zenpia Co. Ltd turns out formulations utilizing hempseed oil, gold and bird's nests.

These product initiatives contribute to South Korea’s international presence, particularly in mainland China and Southeast Asia. The former accounted for $286 million of the $1.28 billion export sales in 2013.

To sustain momentum in the mainland, local companies are setting up subsidiaries. It’s Skin plans to open a branch in Shanghai in 1H15, and is proceeding with product registration to boost sales. The maker also sends shipments to Taiwan, Thailand, Russia and the US, while Europe and South America are prospective markets.

Zenpia exports about 70 percent of production, mainly to the Commonwealth of Independent States, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It is considering South America as another destination. At Dermafirm, the ratio is 20 percent and goes to Turkey, Vietnam, Malaysia and the mainland. The company plans to penetrate the US and other parts of Southeast Asia. Coson Co. Ltd ships to Russia, the US, and the Greater China region, targeting South America and the Middle East in coming years.

Product gallery

Coson Co. Ltd
Model: Gold Starfish All in One Cream
MOQ: 50 pieces
Delivery: 14 days
Price: $12.20
Description: Moisturizing, whitening cream; 70% starfish extract; for all skin types; KFDA

Coson Co. Ltd
Model: Ampoule Solution Types
MOQ: 50 pieces
Delivery: 14 days
Price: $5.70
Description: Ampoules; 50% collagen, 50% hyaluronic acid, 45% placenta, 45% peptide ampoules; help maintain skin elasticity, rehydrate, moisturize, tighten skin; paraben-free, no artificial coloring and fragrance

Dermafirm Inc.
Model: Bio-Tox Ampoule
MOQ: 1,000 pieces
Delivery: 14 days
Description: Anti-aging product; cultured wild ginseng, 20 other medicinal herbs, acetyl hexapeptide–8, lotus stem cell culture extract, rh-Oligopeptide-2 (Insulin-like Growth Factor), rh-Oligopeptide-1 (Epidermal Growth Factor)

Dermafirm Inc.
Model: B Cream
MOQ: 1,000 pieces
Delivery: 14 days
Description: Cream; natural ingredients; for topical management of bruises, swollen skin from cosmetic procedures, including botulinum toxin injections, fillers, liposuction, implants

It's Skin Co. Ltd
Model: Prestige Creme D'Escargot/6018001249 (ERP Code)
MOQ: 1,000 pieces
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $54.30
Description: Cream; 21% snail mucin, rh-Oligopeptide-1; helps regenerate skin, maintain elasticity, moisturize; gold prize winner, Monde Selection 2014

It's Skin Co. Ltd
Model: Prestige BN Cream EX/6018001782 (ERP Code)
MOQ: 1,000 pieces
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $58.82
Description: Cream; >99.5% pure gold, bird’s nest extract; boosts collagen synthesis; helps maintain skin elasticity, tone

Zenpia Co. Ltd
Model: 24K Gold Premium First Essence/ S466
MOQ: 500 pieces
Delivery: 15 days
Price: $10
Description: Essence; nonsticky; 24K gold; honeysuckle, caviar, royal jelly, grape and tomato callus culture extracts; collagen de Hyde rolls rise, Epidermal Growth Factor, sodium hyaluronate, ethyl ascorbic acid; no paraben, dye, mineral oil, nonphenoxy, benzophenone; 150mL

Zenpia Co. Ltd
Model: Gold Racoony Hydrogel Eye & Spot Patch/S258
MOQ: 500 pieces
Delivery: 15 days
Price: $10
Description: Eye, spot patches; adenosine, castor oil, allantoin; lavender, rosemary, freesia, rose, chamomile, green tea, aloe vera extracts; gold; water-soluble; 60 eye, 30 spot patches per jar