Kolmar Korea Expands into Innovative Sun Care Products for Scalp and Hair

Kolmar Korea, a prominent player in the K-beauty industry, is accelerating its expansion into the sun care market by introducing advanced products specifically designed to protect the scalp and hair. This strategy leverages the growing trend of 'skinification', where consumers increasingly treat their hair and scalp with the same level of care usually reserved for their skin.

Recently, Kolmar Korea launched the 'Scalp Sun Essence', a specialized sunscreen that provides SPF 50+ protection for the scalp. Unlike conventional sunscreens, which often struggle due to high oil content when applied to the scalp or hair, the Scalp Sun Essence features a balanced blend of water-soluble and lipophilic UV filters. This unique combination ensures a lightweight texture that is comfortable and effective.

In addition to the Scalp Sun Essence, the company plans to introduce other product formats such as mists and sprays aimed at scalp sun protection. Moreover, Kolmar Korea is also developing cleansing products designed for sun care, with plans to launch these innovations in South Korea this year and subsequently introduce them to the American market next year.

Beyond scalp care, Kolmar Korea has developed a light-protective hair formula designed to shield hair from harmful light exposure, including UV rays. Hair is constantly subjected to UV radiation and artificial light, which can lead to discoloration, dehydration, and breakage over time. Most traditional hair care products primarily focus on heat damage prevention, neglecting the harmful effects caused by light exposure.

To address this gap, the company has created a new technology using specific silicone oils with large molecular structures and high refractive indices. This innovative approach effectively disperses light while minimizing the need for light-protecting stabilizers and oils, thereby maintaining a light texture. Additionally, the formulation can be enhanced with active ingredients like biotin, panthenol, and niacinamide. Such enhancements can address various issues, including symptoms of hair loss, soothing the scalp, and managing oil and pores.

To further strengthen its position in the market, Kolmar Korea has introduced a new standardized method for objectively evaluating the effectiveness of UV protection for hair. Previously, there was no established method to measure UV protection in hair care. The new method assesses changes in hair color before and after UV exposure to quantify damage levels and measure UV protection performance. This significant study was published in the internationally recognized dermatological journal, Skin Research and Technology, where it received acclaim for its scientific contributions.

As Kolmar Korea continues to expand its offerings, it aims to lead the next generation of hair sun care products. The company is currently recognized for holding over 70% of the Korean sunscreen market and is seen as a driving force behind the global rise of K-beauty sunscreens. In 2013, it became the first in the Korean cosmetics industry to receive OTC certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, in 2022, Kolmar enhanced its R&D capabilities by establishing Korea's first specialized UV protection research center, the 'UV Tech Innovation Lab'. Recently, the cumulative global sales of sunscreen products developed by Kolmar Korea, in collaboration with widely popular K-beauty brands such as Beauty of Joseon, SKIN1004, and Round Lab, exceeded 100 million units.

With such strategic innovations and research capabilities, Kolmar Korea is poised to meet the increasing demand for hair and scalp sun protection solutions, ensuring that consumers can enjoy safe sun exposure without compromising on hair care.