South Korean beauty products have become a $2 billion industry - and Americans visiting the Olympics are making the most of it

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South Korean beauty products have become a $2 billion industry - and Americans visiting the Olympics are making the most of it

korean beauty today show

Screenshot, Today

The "Today" show hosts sampled Korean beauty products in a recent segment from Pyeongchang.

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  • South Korea is well-known in the beauty industry for its natural and hydrating skincare products, like sheet masks and essences, according to the "Today" show.
  • While at the Olympics in Pyeongchang, many Americans have discovered for themselves how great Korean beauty products are.
  • Lots of them are stocking up before they have to head home.


Americans at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang can't seem to get enough of Korean skincare products.

The South Korean beauty industry has been growing rapidly for years, according to the BBC. In 2015, the country exported more than $2.64 billion worth of beauty products. Korean skincare is all about having hydrated and glowing skin, according to beauty expert Charlotte Cho, who was featured in a recent segment about the craze on the "Today" show.

On the website for Soko Glam, the Korean beauty marketplace that Cho cofounded, she writes: "Koreans have a skin-first philosophy - they believe that skin care should be enjoyable and that it's an investment in their overall well-being."

The trend has now reportedly caught on with visitors - both athletes and the people there to cover the events - at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The weather conditions there are cold and dry, so it makes sense that visitors would want to take full advantage of the area's skincare shops.

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Here are some of the popular products that people likely have their eye on:

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