Global cosmetics research, development and manufacturing (ODM) corporations COSMAX said on the 23rd that last year's results came in at 2.3988 trillion won in revenue and 195.8 billion won in operating profit. Revenue rose 10.7% and operating profit increased 11.6% from a year earlier. Both revenue and operating profit hit all-time highs.
COSMAX explained the results as "the outcome of steady growth at the Korea subsidiary, a recovery at the China subsidiary, a full-fledged rebound in the U.S. market, and efforts to break into new markets such as the Middle East and South America."
COSMAX's Korea subsidiary continued to grow, boosted by the global K skincare craze. In 2025, revenue rose 12.4% from the previous year to 1.5264 trillion won, and operating profit increased 11.5% to 154.6 billion won. In particular, during the fourth quarter, base categories such as gel masks, creams and sun care products maintained high growth, and newly focused hair and body categories also delivered meaningful results.
The China subsidiary broke through a prolonged slowdown in local consumption and achieved a rebound. Annual revenue came to 632.7 billion won, up 10.2% from a year earlier. Efforts centered on the Shanghai subsidiary to diversify clients paid off, with both base and color cosmetics clients showing strong growth. In addition, at the Guangzhou subsidiary, rising client exports to Southeast Asia and diversification of product categories supported overall growth in China.
The U.S. subsidiary's annual revenue was 132.6 billion won, a slight decline from a year earlier, but fourth-quarter revenue surged 24.2% from a year ago. New client inflows in the West through the California sales office drove revenue growth.
The Thailand subsidiary's revenue jumped 68.2% year over year to 73.2 billion won this year, driven by rapid growth in sun care products. However, the Indonesia subsidiary fell 13.7% to 97.7 billion won due to a high base and weaker consumer sentiment amid local political conditions.
COSMAX plans to build unmatched capabilities this year by focusing on strategic items such as sun care and base makeup. It also aims to expand joint sales among global subsidiaries and strengthen its presence in emerging markets in the Middle East, South America and Africa.
A COSMAX official said, "We will further elevate our status as the world's No. 1 cosmetics ODM corporations by pursuing joint growth with K indie brands and actively responding to new markets around the world."