COSMECCA Korea, 3rd largest cosmetics manufacturer in Korea

#3 COSMECCA KOREA 코스메카 코리아

▲ COSMECCA KOREA


# Brief History of COSMECCA Korea

"COSMECCA Korea Co. Ltd. 코스메카 코리아 (website)" is the 3rd largest cosmetics manufacturer in Korea.
The company was founded by current chairman & CEO Cho Im-Rae in 1999. He was born in 1953, studied Chemical Engineering at Sung Kyun Kwan University, and started his career at a leading Korean cosmetics company Peeres as a skin care researcher (The company Peeres later became Skinfood). He was the first research director of Kolmar Korea in 1992 and moved to Taewoong Cosmetics as a manufacturing director in 1993.


Taewoong Cosmetics faced a possibility of bankruptcy as many other companies struggled during the Asian financial crisis. Cho Im-rae could find another job with his quite impressive experience at cosmetics manufacturing but he could not move as he ran a big team at the Taewoong Cosmetics' factory and they all could lose their jobs if he moved. Finally he decided to buy out Taewoong Cosmetics and changed its name to COSMECCA in 1999.


# Research-Oriented Business Strategy

During Cho Im-Rae's time at many other cosmetics companies, he has realized that cosmetics business is all about research and development.
"Cosmetics can look good with fabulous design, can sell well with massive marketing efforts, or it can be very cheap on price-wise. However, customers will loo away from all the products that actually do not work well. Our mission is to create the best quality products and it could be done with huge investment in research & development. This R&D First philosophy is now our culture."
With this philosophy Cosmecca has put their best efforts and resources on R&D to develop new innovative products. They succeeded developing BB creams that have 3 different function (UV protection + wrinkle improvement + Brightening) for the first time in the world in 2002 as well - Brands like SKIN79 and Hanskin, known for the best BB cream brands for a time, used to launch many different BB creams like Hanskin Super Light Touch BB Cream or Skin79 Green BB Cream through Cosmecca.
Cosmecca R&D Team / Source: Cosmecca Korea website

The efforts on research & development has helped improve manufacturing system as well.
They adopted Toyota's famous manufacturing process 'Just-In-Time' for their cosmetics manufacturing process and reduced its conveyor belt from 12 meters to 3 meters so that they can improve manufacturing efficiency.
This helped improve its productivity over 400% and helped them manage product defects easier and faster.
Cosmecca's manufacturing facilities / Source: Cosmecca Korea website


# Consistent Growth in Difficult Condition & Situation

As a later mover, Cosmecca prepared for a quantum jump through IPO and it seemed plausible that they would go public soon in early 2010's.
However, in 2013, a big fire broke out at its one of Cosmecca's main manufacturing facilities Eumseong Factory and it caused a lower valuation on Cosmecca.
Also in 2015, Cosmecca's China factory got a factory relocation order from Chinese government, which also caused its efforts for IPO defeated.
Among these unfavorable circumstances, Cosmecca retained its core reputation on cosmetics manufacturing ability and finally became a listed company on KOSDAQ in 2016.
They also recorded continuous sales growth every year and now they are the top 3 cosmetics manufacturer in Korea following Cosmax and Kolmar Korea.
IPO on Kosdaq in 2016 / Source: MK News

Cosmecca also recently bought a 34.71% stake in a New Jersey based skin care manufacturer Englewood Lab for $53.7 million (article: Cosmecca Korea buys majority stake in Englewood Lab). Englewood Lab worked with over 80 western brands such as Elizabeth Arden, L'Oreal, Clinique, Benefit Cosmetics, Kiehls, Laura Mercier, et cetera. This partnership can help Cosmecca to work closely with US cosmetics brands for sure.
*Fun fact: Former CEO of Englewood Lab David C Chung will more focus on his own line Farmacy after he sold his shares on Englewood Lab.


# Research, Manufacturing facilities, & FDA warning

As they claim they are focusing on research and innovation, Cosmecca runs 2 research & development teams (skin care lab & makeup lab). Not like Kolmar and Cosmax, currently Cosmecca focuses on cosmetics only.
Cosmecca's manufacturing capability is 100 million per year and 32% of their staffs are in manufacturing. As mentioned above, they have their own innovative manufacturing practice called CPS (Cosmecca Production System) with various technologies to maximize productivity with less defects.

The manufacturing facilities feature proper certificates as well: ISO 9001 (Quality management system), ISO 14001 (Environmental management systems), ISO 22716 (GMP, Good manufacturing practice for cosmetics), OHSAS18001 (British standard health and safety management system), et cetera.
However, in February 2018, Cosmecca received an warning letter from FDA as they violate FDA good manufacturing practice (GMP). FDA inspected Cosmecca's facility and found that Cosmecca released over-the-counter(OTC) drug products without data to support their conformance to specifications. This means Cosmecca did not feature proper data for its OTC drug products (mostly sunscreen functional products). There are other reasons but mostly they are about them not having proper data for products they claim with function.
This actually happened to Kolmar Korea as well, actually many of Korean cosmetics manufacturers violate US GMP rules as there are not that much clear information for Korean manufacturers how they should prepare for US GMP requirements. I am quite sure it was not an intentional violation, but still, a violation is a violation. 


# Products manufactured by Cosmecca Korea

Like Kolmar and Cosmax, Cosmecca also produces products for many different brands. I have searched 283 products of 43 different brands below, hopefully it can help you understand what products they make and how good they are through your previous experience with specific products.
Brand
Product
Link
MISSHA
MISA Geum Sul Rejuvenating Cream
MISSHA
MISA Geum Sul Vitalizing Eye Cream
MISSHA
MISA Geum Sul First Essence Booster
MISSHA
MISA Yehyun Jinbon Cream
MISSHA
MISA Yehyun Jinbon Eye Cream
MISSHA
Aqua Peptide Custom Skin Care 66 Cream
MISSHA
Near Skin Madecanol Cream
MISSHA
Near Skin Self Control Purifying Massage
MISSHA
Time Revolution Bridal Cream
MISSHA
Vitamin B12 Double Hydrop Ampouler
MISSHA
Vitamin B12 Double Hydrop Booster
MISSHA
Men's Cure Tone Up Essence
ETUDE HOUSE
Peptide Bubble Up Serum
ETUDE HOUSE
Bubble Tea Sleeping Pack
ETUDE HOUSE
Big Cover Stick Concealer
ETUDE HOUSE
Big Cover Concealer Kit
ETUDE HOUSE
Precious Mineral BB Cream Moist SPF50+
ETUDE HOUSE
Precious Mineral BB Cream Matte SPF50+
ETUDE HOUSE
Precious Mineral Essence BB Balm SPF50+
ETUDE HOUSE
CC Cream SPF30
ETUDE HOUSE
Any Balm Glow SPF50+
ETUDE HOUSE
Face Liquid Blur (Cherry Blossom Edition)
ETUDE HOUSE
Colorful Scent Perfumed Body Wash
ETUDE HOUSE
Colorful Scent Perfumed Body Lotion
TONYMOLY
Prestige Jeju Snail Essence
TONYMOLY
Prestige Jeju Snail Emulsion
TONYMOLY
Intense Care Galactomyces First Essence
TONYMOLY
Intense Care Gold 24K Snail Sun Cream
TONYMOLY
Intense Care Gold 24K Snail Eye Cream
TONYMOLY
Intense Care Gold 24K Snail Toner
TONYMOLY
Intense Care Gold Snail Cream
TONYMOLY
Naturalth Goat Milk Premium Moisture Cream
TONYMOLY
Naturalth Goat Milk Moisture Essence
TONYMOLY
Naturalth Goat Milk Cream Foam Cleanser
TONYMOLY
Naturalth Goat Milk Moisture Toner
TONYMOLY
Naturalth Goat Milk Moisture Emulsion
TONYMOLY
Naturalth Goat Milk Pure CC Cream SPF30
TONYMOLY
Tako Pore Blackhead Scrub Stick
TONYMOLY
Egg Pore Tightening Cooling Pack
TONYMOLY
Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm
TONYMOLY
Egg Pore Silky Smooth Balm
TONYMOLY
Egg Pore Yolk Primer
TONYMOLY
Hug Me Deo Spray
TONYMOLY
Red Apple Hand Cream
TONYMOLY
Panda's Dream White Hand Cream
TONYMOLY
Go Cover Active Concealer
TONYMOLY
CheekTone Single Blusher Cream Type
TONYMOLY
Spoiler Selfie Shot Tone Up Base SPF37
TONYMOLY
Pro Clean Soft Sherbet Cleanser
SCINIC
Super Moist Facial Cream Light
SCINIC
Super Moist Facial Cream
SCINIC
Super Moist Essence Water
SCINIC
Super Moist Total Eye Cream
SCINIC
Honey Moist Cream
SCINIC
Pinktamin Water
SCINIC
Pinktamin Amopule
SCINIC
Pinktamin Cream
Dr.Jart
Water Fuse Ultimate Hydro Gel
Dr.Jart
Water Fuse Hydro Toner
Dr.Jart
Water Fuse Hydro Dew Drop
Dr.Jart
Water Fuse Hydro Sleep Mask
Dr.Jart
Water Fuse Hydro Soothe Eye Gel
Dr.Jart
Cicapair Serum
Dr.Jart
Cicapair Cream
Dr.Jart
Cicapair Night Re.Pair
Dr.Jart
Cicapair Re-Cover
Dr.Jart
V7 Toning Light
Dr.Jart
Every Sun Day Soothing Gel
VT Cosmetics
Blue Collagen Moisture Cream
VT Cosmetics
Glutathione Cream
VT Cosmetics
Phyto Cream Premium
VT Cosmetics
Phyto Emulsion
VT Cosmetics
Real Collagen Pact SPF50+
VT Cosmetics
Essence Skin Foundation Pact SPF50
VT Cosmetics
Essence Sun Pact SPF50+
VT Cosmetics
Cica Sun Spray SPF50+
VT Cosmetics
Mesh CC Pact SPF30
VT Cosmetics
Cica Redness Cover Cushion
Nature Republic
Botanical Eyelash Serum
Nature Republic
Baobob Mist Camomile
Nature Republic
Pure Shine Makeup Base SPF20
Nature Republic
Pure Shine Cover BB SPF35
Nature Republic
Wild Mascara
Nature Republic
Pure Shine Vivid Water Tint
Nature Republic
Super Aqua Max Soft Peeling Gel
Nature Republic
Armpit Wash Cotton
Banila Co.
Hi Bye Clean Up Toner
Banila Co.
Hi Bye Vita-Peel Essence
Banila Co.
Hi Bye Vita-Peel Exfoliating Scrub
Banila Co.
Hi Bye Clean Up Mud-to-Foam Cleanser
Banila Co.
Hi Bye Clean Up Mud Facial Mask
Banila Co.
Hi Bye Clean Up Blackhead Stick
Banila Co.
Hi Bye Clean Up Sebum Control Essence
Banila Co.
Prime Primer Sun SPF50+
Banila Co.
White Wedding Lotion
Banila Co.
White Wedding Sleeping Essence
Banila Co.
White Wedding Dream Cream
Banila Co.
Cheer Water Cheek
Banila Co.
It Radiant CC Essence Cover Balm
Chosungah 22
24H Raybeam Up Cream
Chosungah 22
Moist Up Pact Ultra SPF50+
Chosungah 22
Mineral Toning Marine Collagen Essence
Chosungah 22
Van Jill Essence
Chosungah 22
Fresh Ade Oil Cleanser
Chosungah 22
C&T Blend Easy Firming
Chosungah 22
C&T Master Glam SPF50+
Chosungah 22
Peach Glamour
Chosungah 22
Dong Gong Minn Rocking Mascara
CNP Laboratory
A-Clean All Control Moisturizer
CNP Laboratory
A-Clean Active Freshner Toner
CNP Laboratory
A-Clean Anti-Blemish Calming Cream
CNP Laboratory
Vita-Solution Whitening Ampule
CNP Laboratory
Anti-Pore Minimizing Cealer
CNP Laboratory
Deep Moisture Smile Lip Balm
CNP Laboratory
Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
CNP Laboratory
Anti-Blemish Spot Solution
CNP Laboratory
Clear Cover Sun Stick
A.H.C
Real Active Oil Gel
A.H.C
Premium Capture Hyaluronic Ampoule
A.H.C
Capture Revite Solution Ampoule
A.H.C
Premium Capture C-Brightening Ampoule
A.H.C
Capture Moist Solution Ampoule
A.H.C
Premium Capture Collagen Ampoule
A.H.C
Capture Hyaluronic Cream
A.H.C
Capture Collagen Cream
A.H.C
UV Capture Plus Water Essential Sun Cushion SPF50+
A.H.C
Capture White Solution Mask
The SAEM
Healing Tea Garden Tea tree Cleansing Foam
The SAEM
Miracle Whitening Vita Cream
The SAEM
Saemmul Eye Primer
The SAEM
Iceland Water Volume Hydrating Cream
(For Oily Skin)
The SAEM
Iceland Water Volume Hydrating Cream
(For Combination Skin)
The SAEM
Iceland Water Volume Hydrating Cream
(For Dry Skin)
The SAEM
Miracle Whitening Pearl Cream
The SAEM
Cover Perfection Concealer Foundation
The SAEM
Saemmul Perfect Pore Primer
The SAEM
Saemmul Perfect Pore BB
The SAEM
Saemmul Cover Foundation
Hanskin
Cleansing Oil & Blackhead
Hanskin
Super Light Touch BB Cream
Hanskin
Bare Glow Foundation
MEDICUBE
Zero Pore Cream
MEDICUBE
Zero Pore Serum
MEDICUBE
Red No Sebum Pact
MEDICUBE
Triple Collagen Skin Essence
MEDICUBE
White Toning Cream
MEDICUBE
Red Erasing Spot Serum
I'M MEME
I'm Multi Stick
I'M MEME
I'm Blusher
I'M MEME
I'm Lip Lacquer
I'M MEME
I'm Corrector
I'M MEME
I'm Mesh Cushion SPF30
I'M MEME
I'm Shading Palette
I'M MEME
I'm Lipstick Water Fit
I'M MEME
I'm Brush Spray Cleanser
16 Brand
Guroom Cream Tone Up
16 Brand
Guroom Cream Mint Cream
16 Brand
Guroom Cream Energy Balm
16 Brand
Donkey Milk Cleanser
16 Brand
Watermelon Cream
16 Brand
Menjil Essence
16 Brand
Chok Chok Hand & Body
16 Brand
Multi Lotion
16 Brand
Blur Pact
Apieu
Power Block Daily Sun Cream SPF50+
Apieu
Power Block Essence Sun Cream SPF50+
Apieu
Power Block Sun Cream Pposong SPF50+
Apieu
Power Block Tone Up Sun Stick Pink SPF50+
Apieu
Pure Block Daily Sun Cream SPF45
Apieu
Personal Tone Foundation SPF30
Apieu
Moist Creamy Concealer
Apieu
Grapefruit Hand Cream
Apieu
Triple Wear Foundation SPF20
Apieu
Deep Clean Clear Water
Apieu
Deep Clean Cleansing Oil
Apieu
Super Protein Repairing Treatment
Apieu
Enzyme Powder Wash
Apieu
Ugly Cuticle Cream
Apieu
Panthenol Ato Cream
Apieu
18 Fresh Cream
Apieu
18 Moisture Cream
Apieu
No Dirty Puff Cleanser
It's Skin
Pure Moisture Oil
It's Skin
Jeju Horse Oil Cream
It's Skin
Skin Solution Micro Bubble Ampoule
It's Skin
It’s Top Professional Touch Finish Primer
It's Skin
It’s Top Professional Touch Finish Foundation
It's Skin
It's Top Professional Touch Finish Correcting Primer Base
Too Cool For School
Check Jelly Blusher
Too Cool For School
Glamrock Hush Brown Lipstick
Too Cool For School
Glamrock Vampire Kiss Red Edition Lipstick
DR+LAB
Hydra-15 Soothing Gel Cream
Innisfree
Mineral Make Up Base SPF30
Innisfree
Mineral Moisture Fitting Base
Innisfree
Mineral Stick Concealer
Innisfree
Mineral Essential Concealer SPF30
Innisfree
True Care Calamine 6.5 Cleanser
Innisfree
Forest For Men Fresh All In One Wash
Pony Effect
Seamless Foundation SPF30
Pony Effect
Nuatural Purifying Cleansing Water
Pony Effect
Mattifying Blur Pact
Pony Effect
Contouring Master Palette
Pony Effect
Profection Brush Liner
nooni
Radiance Tone-Up Cream
nooni
Repair Therapy Hydration Cream
nooni
Deep-Cleanse Snow Flake Mousse Cleanser
nooni
Deep-Cleanse Snow Flake Cleansing Water
nooni
Snow Flake Stick Cleanser
nooni
Snow Flake Whipping Cleanser
3CE
Back To Baby Glow Beam
3CE
White Milk Pack To Foam
3CE
Pink Boutique Body Butter Cream
3CE
Cedar Wood Day Cream
3CE
White Milquidro Facial Cream
3CE
White Milquidro Peeling Toner
3CE
Boosting Sun Mist SPF50+
3CE
Matte Fit Foundation SPF50+
3CE
Pink Creamy Compact Foundation SPF50+
3CE
Eye Primer
Goodal
Premium Pearl Tone-Up Cream
Goodal
Premium Snail Tone-Up Cream
Goodal
Refine Pore Clear Cream
Goodal
Double Bright Emulsion
Goodal
Double Bright Intense Serum
Goodal
Royal Chateau Caviar Repair Ampoule
Peripera
Blur Pang Pure Milk Blur
Peripera
Blur Pang Peach Milk Blur
Peripera
Blur Pang Banana Milk Blur
Peripera
Ink Fitting Eye Primer
Peripera
Milk Pongdang Pact
SKIN79
Golden Snail Intensive BB Cream SPF50+
SKIN79
The Prestige BB Cream SPF25
SKIN79
Intense Classic Balm SPF35
SKIN79
The Oriental Gold Plus BB Cream SPF30
SKIN79
Smart Derma Mild All Day BB SPF50+
SKIN79
Smart Derma Mild Recovery BB SPF30
SKIN79
Purple BB Cream SPF40
SKIN79
Green BB Cream SPF30
SKIN FOOD
Truffle Age Defying Cream
SKIN FOOD
Truffle Age Defying Serum
SKIN FOOD
White Dandelion Derma Cleansing Lotion
SKIN FOOD
White Dandelion Derma Care Lotion Mask
JUNGSAEMMOOL
Artist All Fix Eye Primer
JUNGSAEMMOOL
Artist Layer Concealing Base
reskin
TS Spot Plus
reskin
TS Clarifying Toner
reskin
Nice To Monaco Water Wear Fluid
BRTC
Vitalizer Cream
BRTC
Medi Stem Collagen Toner
BRTC
Medi Stem Eye Cream
BRTC
Medi Stem Collagen Ampoule
BRTC
Prestige Gold Caviar Eye Cream
BRTC
Perfect Calming Cream
BRTC
Jasmine Velvet Magic Primer
BRTC
Salmon Fillex Injection
Thank You Farmer
Ture Water Vita Mist
Thank You Farmer
Back To Iceland Peeling Cream
Thank You Farmer
Back To Iceland Cleansing Foam
Thank You Farmer
Back To Iceland Cleansing Water
Guerisson
Signature Oil Serum
HistoLab
Post Care Sun Blemish Balm
HistoLab
Sun Shine Blemish Balm
eSpoir
Dewy Face Glow
eSpoir
Instant Skin Enhancer Brightening
eSpoir
Instant Skin Enhancer Mattifying
eSpoir
Perfect Fix Eye Primer
eSpoir
Pro Brush Cleaner
eSpoir
Pro Intense Spot Makeup Eraser
TOSOWOONG
Enzyme Powder Wash
TOSOWOONG
Acne Cleansing Foam
TOSOWOONG
Deep Pore Foam Cleansing
Acwell
5.5 pH Balancing Mecellar Deep Cleansing Water
April Skin
Hair Pact
Dr.Oracle
21;Stay B-Hydro Cream
Dr.Oracle
21;Stay B-Hydro Emulsion
Dr.Oracle
21;Stay B-Hydro Booster
Dr.G
Hyper Brightening Cream
Dr.G
Aqua Balance Cleansing Foam
Dr.G
Aqua Balance All-In-One SPF15
Touch In Sol
Flawless Skin Top Coat
Touch In Sol
Pretty Filter Dazzling Finish Powder
Borntree
Berry Essence Sun Block SPF50+
Borntree
Flower Essence Mist


Cosmecca Korea is now such a big corporation now: total sales in 2017 was bout US$162 million. With its acquisition of Englewood Lab, it could possibly exceed US$250 million this year.
However, still they are no.3 after Kolmar Korea and Cosmax. With this circumstance, CEO Cho Im-Rae is still very positive and confident.
"It is true that there are already those leading companies. However, Cosmecca's direction is somehow different from them. It is not always how big you are and how long you have run your business to become a leading company. Cosmecca will focus on our own direction and will become the leading OGM (Original Global Management) company both in Korea and global market."

I once had an opportunity to work with Cosmecca in 2016 and it was quite pleasureful. They were very nice, and I could see they were kind of enjoying developing products despite our quite hard requirements. I think this positive energy can make this company improve consistently and may make a big move in future.

Although it was such a long post I hope it may help you in a way, always feel free to leave a comment or contact me for any questions :)

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