Jinan's beauty industry is making its mark, from innovative ingredients to homegrown brands.

The Jinan Innovation Zone produces about 80 percent of China's hyaluronic acid raw materials and accounts for around 59 percent of global supply.

Local companies are advancing innovation in cosmetic ingredients, with Bloomage Biotech accounting for about 70 percent of the global market for medical-grade hyaluronic acid. The company is also using synthetic biology and fermentation to scale up salidroside production. Meanwhile, Freda has developed high-purity 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, a promising ingredient for anti-aging skincare.

That expertise extends to manufacturing. Freda operates 35 automated production lines, with automation reaching 98 percent in key processes. Its facilities have an annual capacity of about 25,000 metric tons and can produce up to 1.8 million sheet masks and 900,000 single-use skincare ampoules a day.

Local brands are bringing these innovations to consumers. Little Dream Garden began with rose-based skincare and has since expanded its range to meet a variety of everyday beauty needs. It now has more than 18 million online members and over 130,000 retail outlets nationwide. The brand is also expanding into Southeast Asia with products tailored to local consumers.

The Jinan Innovation Zone is home to more than 10 major cosmetics enterprises above designated size, with the total industry valued at over 10 billion yuan ($1.49 billion) in 2025. In the same year, online cosmetics retail sales in the zone reached 8.5 billion yuan, accounting for 67 percent of the city's total.

Jinan reinforces its position as a beauty industry hub, supplying around 59 percent of the world's hyaluronic acid raw materials while fostering cosmetic innovation, advanced manufacturing, and homegrown skincare brands. [Photo/Dazhong News]