[VIDEO] Inside the lab behind a K-beauty best-seller

The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask has become a global K-beauty best-seller, with one jar sold every two seconds. At Amorepacific’s research center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, researchers develop and test the product as part of an industry shaped by demanding Korean consumers and fast-changing product lineups. The mask comes in about 10 regular versions and more than 30 when limited and seasonal editions are included.

Korean beauty products have typically moved from idea to shelf in six to eight months, compared with 18 to 24 months at Western beauty houses.

Researchers translate product concepts into specifications for scent, balm firmness and color before chemists melt a base, weigh pigments and test mixtures.

Early samples are tested by chemists and teammates, while a clinical lab measures hydration and recruited participants later test a pilot product.

The Lip Sleeping Mask lineup includes flavors such as Mint Choco, Apple Lime and Rainbow Sherbet, created in collaboration with Baskin-Robbins.

A Strawberry Banana version is set to join the lineup next year.

Published Nov 4, 2026 6:01 pm KST

Every two seconds, someone somewhere in the world buys a Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. The small pink jar has become one of the best-known products of the K-beauty boom. How did a country that only a few generations ago had a handful of basic beauty creams become one of the world's top cosmetics exporters? Looking at Amorepacific R&I center's researcher, we explored story behind the lip mask, and the industry around it.

Picky customers at home

The Lip Sleeping Mask is a favorite not only in Korea but also across North America and Europe. It has become a fixture at Sephora, where it ranks among the best-reviewed lip treatments. Shoppers in the U.S. and Canada have turned it into a cult favorite. One reason for that rise starts in Korea itself: Korean shoppers are known for reading ingredient lists, comparing reviews and switching brands quickly when something better comes along. Industry analysts point to these demanding consumers as a major driver of K-beauty's success. A product that wins them over has already passed a tough test before it goes abroad.

That pressure also keeps companies moving quickly. New K-beauty products have typically gone from idea to shelf in six to eight months, compared with the 18- to 24-month cycles long common at Western beauty houses.

New products never stop

Cosmetics are not a one-time purchase. When a jar runs out, a satisfied customer buys another one — or drifts to a different brand. To keep customers from wandering, brands keep their lineups fresh.

The Lip Sleeping Mask comes in about 10 regular versions, and the count climbs past 30 when limited and seasonal editions are included. Many borrow from food and desserts, from Mint Choco and Apple Lime to a Rainbow Sherbet edition, the result of a collaboration with Baskin-Robbins. A Strawberry Banana shade is set to join the lineup next year.

What a cosmetic chemist does

Researchers first turn a concept into technical terms: how strong the scent should be, how firm the balm should feel and what color will look appetizing.

Then the work moves to the bench. A chemist melts a base, weighs pigments out to the gram and swatches the mixture on the back of their hand until the color is right. Because a hand can only say so much about texture, chemists often test early samples on their own lips and ask teammates for feedback. Samples go to a clinical lab, where hydration is measured. A pilot product is later tested on recruited participants. Between lab work, chemists also coordinate with factories and read customer reviews for ideas for the next product. From the first idea to launching the product, the process can take as long as two years.

Inside a lab few outsiders see

We went inside Amorepacific's research center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, a space rarely opened to outsiders, to see how a best-selling Korean beauty product is engineered and tested.

Find out more in the video.

兰芝唇部睡眠面膜已成为全球韩妆畅销产品，平均每两秒售出一罐。在爱茉莉太平洋位于京畿道龙仁市的研发中心，研究人员致力于研发和测试这款产品，以适应韩国消费者日益增长的需求和快速变化的产品线。该面膜目前约有10种常规版本，如果算上限量版和季节限定版，则超过30种。

韩国美妆产品从构思到上架通常需要六到八个月，而西方美妆公司则需要十八到二十四个月。

研究人员将产品概念转化为香味、润唇膏硬度和颜色的规格，然后化学家熔化基质、称量颜料并测试混合物。

早期样品由化学家和团队成员进行测试，临床实验室测量水分含量，随后招募的参与者测试试点产品。

这款唇部睡眠面膜系列包括薄荷巧克力、苹果青柠和彩虹雪葩等口味，是与巴斯金-罗宾斯合作推出的。

草莓香蕉口味将于明年加入产品阵容。

发布于2026年11月4日 下午6:01（韩国标准时间）

每两秒钟，世界上就有人购买一罐兰芝唇膜。这款粉色小罐装唇膜已成为韩妆热潮中最知名的产品之一。几代人以前，韩国只有寥寥几种基础护肤霜，如今却已跻身世界顶级化妆品出口国之列，这究竟是如何发生的？我们采访了爱茉莉太平洋研发中心的研究员，探寻这款唇膜背后的故事，以及围绕它发展起来的产业。

挑剔的顾客在家

这款唇部睡眠面膜不仅在韩国，在北美和欧洲也备受追捧。它已成为丝芙兰的常驻产品，并跻身最受好评的唇部护理产品之列。在美国和加拿大，它更是成为了消费者心中的“网红”单品。其走红的原因之一要追溯到韩国本土：韩国消费者以仔细阅读成分表、比较评价而闻名，一旦发现更好的产品，他们就会迅速更换品牌。业内分析师指出，这些挑剔的消费者是韩妆成功的关键驱动力。一款能够赢得韩国消费者青睐的产品，在走向海外之前就已经经受住了严格的考验。

这种压力也促使企业快速行动。韩国美妆新品从构思到上架通常只需六到八个月，而西方美妆公司长期以来普遍需要十八到二十四个月的研发周期。

新产品层出不穷。

化妆品并非一次性消费品。当一罐产品用完后，满意的顾客要么会再次购买，要么会转向其他品牌。为了防止顾客流失，品牌会不断更新产品线。

这款唇部睡眠面膜目前有大约10种常规版本，如果算上限量版和季节限定版，数量则超过30种。许多口味都取材于食物和甜点，例如薄荷巧克力、苹果青柠，以及与巴斯金-罗宾斯合作推出的彩虹雪葩版。草莓香蕉色号预计将于明年加入产品线。

化妆品化学家做什么

研究人员首先将概念转化为技术术语：香味应该有多浓，润唇膏应该有多硬，什么样的颜色看起来才诱人。

接下来，工作转移到实验台上。化学家熔化基底，精确称量颜料至克，然后在手背上反复涂抹，直到颜色达到理想状态。由于手背对质地的感知有限，化学家通常会在自己的嘴唇上测试早期样品，并征求团队成员的反馈。样品会被送往临床实验室，测量其保湿效果。之后，试生产的产品会在招募的受试者身上进行测试。除了实验室工作，化学家还要与工厂协调，并阅读客户评论，从中汲取下一代产品的灵感。从最初的构思到产品上市，整个过程可能需要长达两年的时间。

实验室内部，鲜为人知。

我们走进了位于京畿道龙仁市的爱茉莉太平洋研发中心，这是一个很少对外开放的地方，去了解一款畅销的韩国美容产品是如何研发和测试的。

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