Woo Young-hwa, director of the Cosmax Makeup Research & Innovation Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, said the company is developing new beauty formulas and devices that could shape future global trends. She said Cosmax is focusing on gel-type formulas, ultra-thin high-adherence gel, and products that combine makeup and skincare. Woo also said ODMs must now anticipate consumer demand faster and use AI to analyze data and shorten development cycles.
Director of Cosmax Makeup R&I Center Woo Young-hwa speaks in an interview with The Korea Times at the research center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 13. Courtesy of Cosmax
SEONGNAM, Gyeonggi Province — Cosmax, one of Korea’s largest beauty original development manufacturing (ODM) companies, has to stay ahead of market trends as it develops products for some 5,000 beauty brands worldwide. Working with clients ranging from major European labels to emerging boutique brands, the company seeks not just to follow demand but to help shape the next beauty trend.
A Cosmax R&I Center researcher mixes a sample formula for clients in this undated photo. Courtesy of Cosmax
At its research center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, the company is working on what it hopes will be the next market breakthroughs. While many basic consumer needs and desires are relatively obvious, the paths to providing those solutions can be creative and innovative. According to Woo Young-hwa, director of the Cosmax Makeup Research & Innovation Center, there are three technologies currently under development that could emerge as major trends in the global beauty industry.
