Climate-ready beauty: New K-beauty products target heat and UV exposure

As climate change brings longer, hotter summers, Korea's beauty industry is introducing an increasingly diverse range of products designed to help consumers cope with extreme heat and stronger UV exposure. What was once limited to sunscreen creams and sprays has expanded into sun powders, scalp-specific UV care, men's sun sticks and cooling skincare that helps soothe overheated skin. According to the beauty industry on June 24, sun care products are evolving into a wide variety of formulations, including hydrating sun serums, mattifying sun powders and even hand creams with UV protection.

The diversification reflects growing demand and a broader consumer base. During CJ Olive Young's monthly sales event, searches for "sun powder" on its online mall surged 284 percent from a year earlier. An industry official said that as sun care products become available in more accessible formats — such as ampoules, essences, sticks and balms — they are attracting consumers of all ages and genders.

One of the most notable developments is the emergence of scalp-specific sun care, an area that had l