South Korea Hand Sanitizer Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

The South Korea Hand Sanitizer market reached a value of about USD 53.55 Million in 2024. The industry is further expected to grow in the forecast period of 2025-2034. Growing inclination towards hygiene and product innovation is expected to bolster the sale of hand Sanitizer market during the given forecast period.

Elevated Hygiene Concerns and Pandemic Bolstered the Market of Hand Sanitizers

The outbreak of Covid-19 had a detrimental effect on immunity and has compelled people to improvise their hygiene, specifically hand hygiene, which created a massive opportunity for the manufacturers to meet the high demand for hand Sanitizers in the Korean market. The World Health Organisation highly recommended using alcohol-based hand Sanitizer as a precaution to save oneself from the COVID-19.

Re-opening the educational intuitions, offices, hotels and resorts, cafes and restaurants, and other commercial settings have contributed further to the Sanitizer sales in South Korea.

Since washing one's hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds frequently a day is impossible, the acceptance of hand sanitizers among people has increased. This has also made the hand sanitizer market very competitive as pharmaceuticals and chemical industries, perfumeries , breweries, and cosmetics brands have started producing hand sanitizers to meet the upsurging demand. The unparalleled demand for hand sanitizers will likely stay as the ‘new normal’ for longer.

Pharmaceuticals have captured a significant market share as hospitals and healthcare institutions tie-ups with them for the Sanitizer supply. On the other hand, cosmetics brands have targeted the general public. They are continuously striving to come up with new innovative products like scented and moisturising hand sanitizers which have made the market very competitive.

Market Segmentation:

Hand Sanitizer, also known as hand rub, hand disinfectant or Hand antiseptic, is used to kill the germs such as viruses, fungi, bacteria and other disease-causing pathogens on the skin. These are alcohol-based and are available in the form of gel, liquid, and foam.

Based on product, the South Korea hand sanitizer market can be segmented into:

• Gel
• Foam
• Spray
• Others

Based on type, the South Korea hand sanitizer market can be segmented into:

• Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer
• Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer

Based on end-use, the hand sanitizer market can be divided into:

• Restaurants
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Household Purpose
• Others

Based on distributional channel, the South Korea hand sanitizer market is bifurcated into:

• Online Stores
• Departmental Stores
• Pharmacy Stores
• Others

Consumer Inclination Towards Skin-Friendly and Sustainable Hand Sanitizers is Compelling the Manufacturers to Invest in Product Development

The South Korean market for hand sanitizers is anticipated to grow due to consumer awareness regarding health and increasing product developments such as including scents in sanitizer formulations. The demand for skin-friendly, sustainable hand sanitizers with natural ingredients like aloe vera has also steadily increased. The demand for hand sanitizers is also upsurging due to higher living standards, increasing disposable income, and greater hygiene awareness.

Due to increased social media usage and internet penetration, people now prefer products with more natural ingredients. Premiumisation of sanitizer is in trend nowadays, and brands like Innisfree  gained more attention from the public due to their emphasis on vegan-friendly, eco-friendly, and coral-reef-friendly products. As an eco-conscious brand, they are investing more in product packaging by expanding the use of recyclable as well as reusable packaging.

The world’s ethanol markets have changed due to the COVID-19 outbreak . South Korea’s domestic demand for hand sanitizers has risen beyond pre-pandemic levels. Due to the increasing demand for sanitising products, ethanol for industrial usage in the country has dramatically expanded. The market for hand sanitizers will move ahead in a positive trajectory during the given forecast period.

There has been a spike in demand for hand products as a result of the COVID-19 infections worldwide, along with the rapidly increasing positive fatal cases and the spread of the disease through contact with an infected person’s sneeze or cough. Since most gel and foam-based sanitizers are light in composition and hence easily spread, they quickly sanitise the skin to destroy the majority of germs. Since they don't need to be wiped or washed off, they are simple to apply to the hands and save time. The convenience of getting these sanitising products and the increased accessibility to them will further augment their demand in the upcoming years.

Additionally, older adults with medical conditions including diabetes, respiratory issues, kidney problems, and other chronic ailments have been more at risk from this expanding coronavirus pandemic. Because of this pandemic, businesses are compelled to come up with various hand hygiene and skincare items to effectively meet consumer demands.

Key Players in the South Korea Hand Sanitizer Market

The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the South Korea hand sanitizer market, covering their competitive landscape, capacity, and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, and investments, expansions of capacity, and plant turnarounds:

• Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
• 3M Co.
• Aekyung Industrial Co., Ltd.
• DBK Korea Co, Ltd.
• Lion Corporation
• Others

The comprehensive EMR report provides an in-depth assessment of the South Korea hand sanitizer market based on the Porter's five forces model along a SWOT analysis.
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