Meet the Founder

Hello, I'm Jerry Kim, the founder of AROMATICA.
Over 22 years ago, while visiting my family in Australia, I first experienced aromatherapy.
There, instead of relying solely on hospitals or medicine when unwell, people practiced prevention and healing with essential oils and herbal remedies as part of everyday life.
For me, it was a profound cultural shock and inspiration that naturally led to the thought:
"I want to bring aromatherapy culture to Korea".

In the process, I discovered that synthetic fragrances were widely used in the foods and cosmetics we take for granted.
Derived from petroleum, these artificial scents are not only harmful to human health but also threaten the environment due to their carbon output or hormonal system.
The mission to raise awareness of this problem and to replace it with natural essential oils became the starting point of AROMATICA in 2004.

From the very beginning, we have prioritized verifying each raw material and ingredient ourselves to create products that anyone can trust.
We asked not only "What should we put in?" but also "What should we leave out?"
By eliminating unnecessary substances and exaggeration, and valuing honest standards over flashy marketing,
we expanded for skincare, hair, body, and home care products—making aromatherapy a part of daily life

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We expanded into skincare, hair, body, and home care products — making aromatherapy a part of daily life.
We also introduced the EWG Cosmetics Ingredient Database to Korea for the first time, helping to spread awareness of ingredient transparency and safety.
From production to consumption and beyond, we continue to hold sustainability as a guiding principle throughout every stage.
For AROMATICA, this journey is not simply about creating beauty products, but about making responsible choices for both people and the planet.

Even if it means moving more slowly or choosing the less convenient path,
we have always followed what we believe is right.
Holding fast to our original mission to drive synthetic fragrances off the earth,
we will continue to create safe and honest beauty, moving forward unwaveringly toward a sustainable future.

- Jerry Kim -

The Only Lab That Perfected
Essential Oil Cosmetics

The Story of AROMATICA’s Research Lab

AROMATICA began with a single question: “How can we share the natural fragrance of essential oils with more people?”

Nearly 20 years ago, founder Jerry Kim experienced aromatherapy culture in Australia. Watching tea tree oil and eucalyptus used like household remedies, he thought: “What if people could experience aromatherapy in their daily lives through cosmetics?” But upon returning to Korea and approaching the country’s largest OEM manufacturer, he was told simply: “That’s impossible.” Essential oils, they said, are too volatile, destabilize formulas, corrode pumps and containers, and come with high cost burdens.

So AROMATICA set out to find its own answers. We developed formulas that primarily use organic herbal hydrosols as the base, replacing mineral oils with plant-based oils like jojoba, synthetic fragrances with pure essential oils, and synthetic emulsifiers with natural alternatives. These relentless efforts led to AROMATICA’s unique know-how in essential oil formulation stability.

We also established our own ingredient guideline, the “Sustainable Beauty Standard,” blocking harmful substances from the raw material stage. In 2009, we introduced the EWG Skin Deep® database to Korea for the first time. By 2010, we registered all of our ingredients in the EWG database, and in 2016, we became the first Korean manufacturing brand to achieve EWG VERIFIED™ certification for over 20 products. Alongside ECOCERT, we also meet the rigorous European organic cosmetics standard, COSMOS, setting international benchmarks for safety and sustainability.

Unlike many synthetic cosmetics that focus solely on functionality, we are dedicated to creating products that embody safety, sustainability, environmental responsibility, and effectiveness. With over two decades of accumulated expertise, AROMATICA has developed advanced aromatherapy formulations that go beyond sensory experiences, delivering the beauty of safe and effective healing.

From Raw Ingredients 
to Finished Products

The Story of AROMATICA's Factory

AROMATICA’s factory began in 2004 with a single 100kg kettle. At that time, most cosmetics on the market were made with synthetic fragrances and synthetic ingredients, while natural or organic materials were used only sparingly as a marketing concept. We wanted to change that reality — and chose to manufacture our products ourselves. The defining feature of AROMATICA’s factory is direct extraction. Instead of purified water, we use herbal distillates we create by boiling and distilling organic herbs imported directly from trusted sources. Rosemary distillate is blended into our Soothing Aloe Vera Gel, while ginger decoctions and black food extracts like black soybeans are infused into our scalp care products.

Using infusion, decoction, steam distillation, and other methods, we extract ingredients tailored to specific functions and benefits.
We also never delegate raw material sourcing to intermediaries. We personally visit farms and distilleries in the UK, Australia, France, Spain, Morocco, and beyond, verifying sustainable practices across cultivation, production, and trade before an ingredient is used in our products. By managing raw materials directly, we elevate quality while reducing unnecessary costs, ensuring products that are offered at a fair and reasonable price.

All of these processes take place in AROMATICA’s Smart Factory in Osan, Korea, where renewable energy and circular systems are integrated into every stage of production. Since 2021, solar panels covering the factory roof have supplied up to 30% of our electricity needs, and we reuse and recycle wastewater by-products, packaging boxes, and containers generated in production. Designed with the environment in mind from the start, the factory earned ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification in 2023. We also obtained CGMP (ISO 22716:2007) certification in 2014 and meet COSMOS organic standards.

AROMATICA’s factory is not just a production site. It is a place of responsibility, where every step — from raw ingredients to finished products — is completed in-house without outsourcing. This commitment is the clearest reason why consumers can place their trust in AROMATICA.

Experience the Essence
of Aromatherapy

The fragrance that rises from the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of plants carries a healthy history shared with humanity and brings restorative power to our daily lives today.

The AROMATICA Aromatherapy Workshop is an educational program that teaches the fundamentals and mechanisms of aromatherapy based on scientific evidence, while offering hands-on experience with the benefits and applications of essential oils — from ancient civilizations to modern clinical research. Participants explore practical methods for everyday use and deeply experience the essence of aromatherapy through scent exploration and blending practice.

By harmonizing aromatherapy with modern medicine, the workshop encourages a lifestyle of balanced wellness and helps reduce dependence on medication.

Learn More

Our Journey

A record of our passion, purpose,
and growth toward sustainable beauty.

First Steps

In 2004, we began AROMATICA with the vision of replacing synthetic fragrances with natural essential oils, making the healing power of aromatherapy accessible in everyday life. To create safer products, we established our own research laboratory, and in 2010, we became the first in Korea to register all our ingredients with the EWG Skin Deep database. This reflects our commitment to complete transparency and the trusted safety at the heart of every product we make.

Safe Beauty

We were founded on the philosophy of creating safe cosmetics, introducing roll-ons and massage oils free from mineral oil and silicones. This was followed by rose serums, lotions, and creams formulated without parabens and silicones — bringing our commitment to safe ingredients to life.

Pure Innovation

We expanded our clean formulations with silicone- and sulfate-free shampoos and fragrance-free facial mists. To strengthen innovation, we established an in-house R&D lab, secured a Korean patent (No. 10-0723906) for a natural preservative, and earned the INNOBIZ Certification, recognizing our credibility as an innovative brand.

Reef-Safe Care

We developed reef-safe sunscreens that protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems, introducing Korea’s first mineral-only sunscreen. This was followed by PEG- and phenoxyethanol-free Aloe Vera Gel and the Tea Tree line, further expanding our safe formulations. By listing all ingredients on EWG’s Skin Deep®, earning ECOCERT certification, and being named an EWG “Champion,” we strengthened global trust in our brand.

Global Expansion

We launched Korea’s first mineral-only sunscreen free from chemical UV filters and silicones, and declared our “Environmental Management and Respect for Life” statement. We earned CGMP ISO 22716 certification, and our Soothing Aloe Vera Gel was awarded at the Olive Young Awards, presented by Korea’s No.1 health & beauty retailer. Twelve products received Vegan Society certification, and our sunscreen line was registered with the U.S. FDA OTC. Expanding globally, we entered Urban Outfitters and Macy’s Flushing store in the U.S.

Trusted Milestone

We were selected as one of EWG’s Best Sunscreens for three consecutive years and became the first Korean manufacturer to earn EWG VERIFIED™ certification for 19 products. We launched a fragrance-free feminine cleanser, eliminated plastic film in export packaging, and introduced refill packs to encourage container reuse. Expanding globally, we entered YesStyle, a leading K-beauty platform, while our Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo won 2nd and later 1st place at the Olive Young Awards, organized by the leading beauty retail chain in Korea. We also led a “Zero Reef-Harming Ingredients” campaign, achieved plastic-free delivery packaging, established a smart factory in Osan, Korea, and applied over 60% recycled glass to our containers.

Sustainability

We earned COSMOS organic certification and opened Korea’s first refill station. By applying 100% recycled colored and clear PET, we launched the JOIN THE CIRCLE campaign and published our first Sustainability Report. Our Embrace Body Oil was selected as MD’s PICK at the Olive Young Awards, hosted by the leading beauty retail chain in Korea. We were also invited to the APEC Climate Symposium and received ISO 14001 certification along with the Minister of Environment Award from the Ministry of Environment of Korea.

ESG Leadership

Our Pure & Soft Feminine Wash ranked No.1 in the W-Care category at the Olive Young Awards, hosted by the leading beauty retail chain in Korea, securing the top spot in feminine care for three consecutive years. We became the first Korean beauty brand approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and received 100% recycled material certification under the Ministry of Environment of Korea’s labeling system. We were also recognized as a best-practice case at the UN Sustainable Plastics Initiative. Globally, our Root Enhancer Scalp Treatment ranked No.1 on Amazon Italy and No.2 on Amazon Germany, while we received the Rakuten Customer Satisfaction Award in Japan. At our Sinsa store, we launched the Refill Day campaign and introduced Project Soil to support biodiversity and soil restoration.

2001 - 2003
2004 - 2005
2006 - 2009
2010 - 2012
2013 - 2015
2016 - 2019
2020 - 2023
2024-

Recognitions
Along the Way

It's a trail that retraces the values we've kept and the trust we've built.

Organic and natural certification for cosmetics

Following our ECOCERT Natural and Organic finished product certification in 2011, we obtained COSMOS certification in 2019. COSMOS is a unified international standard that integrates various natural and organic cosmetic certification systems. It evaluates not only the origin of ingredients but also their safety, the manufacturing process, and the environmental impact. To qualify, products must contain at least 95% natural-origin ingredients and over 20% organic ingredients, while also complying with strict regulations on GMO use.
 Only products that meet all these rigorous standards are granted COSMOS certification.

The Vegan Society

The Vegan Society is the world’s oldest and most respected vegan certification organization. At AROMATICA, we uphold the value of respecting all life by strictly excluding animal-derived ingredients and never conducting animal testing. In addition, we do not formulate with ingredients derived from endangered plants, putting into practice our commitment to the principles of sustainable development.

Certified in International GMP for Cosmetics and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System

At AROMATICA, all products are manufactured in our own facility, which is equipped with production systems and waste management practices that comply with international standards. ISO 22716 represents the global standard for cosmetic manufacturing and quality control, while ISO 14001 is the international standard for environmental management systems. We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our production processes and maintaining product quality in a sustainable way.

EWG Safe Cosmetics Champion & VERIFIED™ Certified"

In 2011, AROMATICA was the first Korean brand to be named a “Safe Cosmetics Champion” in the safe cosmetics campaign jointly organized by EWG and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. In 2016, we became the first Korean manufacturing brand to obtain EWG VERIFIED™ certification for more than 33 products. This certification is a prestigious system that evaluates cosmetic ingredients based on EWG Skin Deep’s safety rating standards, applying even stricter criteria than organic certifications.

SBTi-Approved Emissions Reduction Targets

AROMATICA became the first beauty brand in Korea to receive approval from the global climate initiative SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative). SBTi helps companies worldwide set and achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets based on scientifically validated standards.AROMATICA has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 42% by 2030, using 2023 as the baseline year. This represents our responsible pledge to protect the planet and safeguard the environment.

Certified in International GMP for Cosmetics and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System

Since 2021, AROMATICA has led the way in resource circulation by applying 100% recycled PET materials to all of its containers. In March 2024, with the enforcement of the Korean Ministry of Environment’s new “Recycled Material Labeling System,” AROMATICA became the first beauty brand in Korea to obtain official certification for using 100% recycled materials. This recognition affirms that our efforts to reduce plastic waste and build a sustainable culture of resource circulation have been formally recognized at a national level.