Kolmar Korea Expands Sun Protection Product Line for Hair and Scalp

Kolmar Korea, a successful leader in the K-beauty sun protection market, is taking significant steps to enhance its offerings by introducing innovative solutions for scalp and hair sun protection. This expansion is in response to the growing global trend of comprehensive skincare, which now extends beyond the face and body to include the scalp and hair.

Introduction of Scalp Sun Essence

The company has announced the launch of its latest product, the Scalp Sun Essence, which provides a robust SPF50+ protection specifically formulated for the scalp. Unlike the traditional sun protection products that can be greasy and uncomfortable for application on the scalp, Scalp Sun Essence combines both water-soluble and lipophilic UV filters. This unique composition ensures a lightweight texture that facilitates easy and effective use.

Kolmar Korea plans to further diversify this product line by introducing mists and aerosol sprays as well as cleansing products designed to shield the scalp against sun exposure. These innovations are scheduled to hit the South Korean market this year, with a global rollout, including entry into the U.S. market, planned for the following year.

Protection Technology for Hair

In conjunction with scalp protection, Kolmar Korea is pioneering a photo-protective composition aimed at shielding hair from harmful light exposure, including UV rays. Hair suffers daily exposure to UV and other damaging forms of radiation, which can lead to color fading, dryness, and brittleness over time. Traditional haircare products predominantly focus on thermal damage rather than light-induced harm.

To address this gap, Kolmar's new technology employs special silicone oils with large molecular structures and high refractive indices, effectively dispersing light and enhancing the hair’s resistance to photo damage. This advanced formulation allows the reduction of light stabilizers and oils needed while maintaining a lightweight feel.

Furthermore, the formulation allows for the incorporation of active ingredients such as biotin, panthenol, and niacinamide, which promote additional benefits like reducing hair loss, soothing the scalp, controlling sebum production, and promoting clean pores.

Objective Evaluation of UV Defense

For the first time, Kolmar Korea has introduced a standardized method for objectively measuring the UV protection efficacy of hair products. Previously, there was no systematic approach to gauge how effective hair care items were against UV radiation. To fill this void, the company developed an analytical technique that assesses hair color change before and after UV exposure, thus determining the degree of damage and the effectiveness of the photoprotective elements.

This research was recognized for its scientific significance with publication last year in the renowned international journal, Skin Research and Technology, which boasts an impact factor of 3.2.

Market Positioning and Future Goals

As the demand for targeted scalp and hair protection solutions continues to escalate, a representative from Kolmar Korea noted, "With growing market segmentation in the sun protection sector, we are committed to leveraging our R&D capabilities to deliver innovative products and materials while assessing their effectiveness. Our goal is to establish a leadership position in the next generation of hair sun protection products."

Currently, Kolmar Korea holds a dominant position in the global sun protection market, accounting for over 70% of South Korea’s share. The company is recognized as a key player driving the worldwide popularity of K-beauty sun protection products. In 2013, Kolmar became the first in the Korean cosmetic industry to obtain FDA certification for over-the-counter products in the United States. The company further solidified its research capabilities by establishing Korea’s first specialized research center focused on UV protection, the UV Tech Innovation Lab, in 2022.

To date, the cumulative global sales of sun protection products developed by Kolmar Korea in collaboration with internationally renowned K-beauty brands such as Beauty of Joseon, SKIN 1004, and Round Lab have surpassed 100 million units, cementing its status as a leading force in this competitive segment.