Korean Suncare Manufacturing: Greencos' Multi-Brand UV Filter Strategy

Same Manufacturer, Different Brands🔗

Check the manufacturer information on suncare products at Olive Young and you'll discover something interesting: Medicube, Mixsoon, Briol Homme, Erchtin, and Grafen - these 5 brands' 6 suncare products are all manufactured by Greencos.

Each brand is independently owned by separate brand companies, while Greencos serves as an OEM/ODM manufacturer producing products according to each brand's specifications. As of week 43, 2025, these 6 products demonstrate completely different ingredient combinations, price points, and target markets.

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Greencos Manufactured Suncare Product Overview🔗

As of week 43 (October 20, 2025), here's the basic information for the 6 Olive Young suncare products manufactured by Greencos:

Manufacturer information shows Greencos as the primary manufacturer for all products, with some listing additional co-manufacturers:

• Medicube (2 products): Greencos Co., Ltd. / APR Co., Ltd.
• Mixsoon: Greencos Co., Ltd. / Facit Co., Ltd.
• Briol Homme: Greencos Co., Ltd. (sole manufacturer)
• Erchtin: Greencos Co., Ltd. (sole manufacturer)
• Grafen: Greencos Co., Ltd., Session Co., Ltd.

Price Distribution:

• Lowest: ₩14,000 (Briol Homme)
• Highest: ₩38,000 (Erchtin)
• Price gap: 2.7x

Sales Rank Distribution:

• Highest rank: #12 (Medicube PDRN Tone-up)
• Dermocosmetics category: #52 (Erchtin)
• Sun stick category: #76 (Grafen)

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UV Filter Combination Analysis🔗

Despite being manufactured by the same company, all 6 products use completely different UV filter combinations. Ingredient data analysis confirms that different UV filter systems are applied according to each brand's requirements.

Type 1: Multi 4th-Gen Filter Combination (Medicube 2 Products)🔗

Medicube PDRN Tone-up and Pink Tone-up use identical UV filter combinations:

UV Filter Configuration (5 types):

• Titanium Dioxide (Physical)
• Ethylhexyl Triazone (Chemical)
• Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S, 4th-gen)
• Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M, 4th-gen)
• Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus, 4th-gen)

3 out of 5 UV filters are 4th generation. This represents a hybrid combination of 1 physical filter + 1 chemical filter + 3 4th-gen filters.

Type 2: Mexoryl SX-Based Combination (Mixsoon, Briol Homme)🔗

Mixsoon Centella Sunscreen and Briol Homme Daily Whitening share Mexoryl SX as a common ingredient:

Common UV Filters:

• Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid (Mexoryl SX, 4th-gen)
• Polysilicone-15 (Physical)

Mixsoon adds Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S), and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus) for a total of 5 UV filters.

Briol Homme adds Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, and Arginine to enhance whitening functionality.

Type 3: 100% Mineral Filters (Erchtin)🔗

Erchtin Airy Toning Sunscreen uses no chemical filters whatsoever:

UV Filter Configuration (2 types):

• Titanium Dioxide (Physical)
• Zinc Oxide (Physical)

The only product among the 6 using exclusively physical filters, positioned at the highest price point of ₩38,000.

Type 4: Multi Chemical Filter Combination (Grafen)🔗

Grafen Sun Pocket Oil Cut Stick combines various chemical filters optimized for stick formulation:

UV Filter Configuration (7 types):

• Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate (5 chemical filters)
• Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinul A Plus, 4th-gen)
• Titanium Dioxide (Physical, minimal amount)

Uses the most UV filters to maintain spreadability in stick formulation while providing broad-spectrum UV protection.

UV Filter Usage Summary🔗

5 out of 6 products (83.3%) contain 4th generation UV filters. Only Erchtin doesn't use 4th-gen filters, opting instead for a 100% mineral filter combination.

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Functional Ingredient Differentiation🔗

Beyond UV filters, each product incorporates functional ingredients aligned with the brand's concept.

Medicube: 8 Types of Hyaluronic Acid + PDRN🔗

Medicube's two products use identical functional ingredients:

Key Functional Ingredients:

• Sodium DNA (PDRN): Core ingredient highlighted in product name
• 8 Types of Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate
• Glutathione: Antioxidant ingredient
• Collagen Extract: Moisturizing ingredient
• Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12): Soothing ingredient
• Niacinamide + Adenosine: Dual functionality (whitening + wrinkle improvement)

Total ingredient count: 57 types, the highest among the 6 products.

Mixsoon: Centella-Focused Formulation🔗

Mixsoon Centella Sunscreen features a relatively simple ingredient composition:

Key Functional Ingredients:

• Centella Asiatica Extract: Brand signature ingredient
• Lavender Oil: Fragrance and soothing ingredient

Total ingredient count: 31 types, about half of Medicube's count. ENHYPEN member Jungwon collaboration product sold as a gift set (50g + 5ml × 2).

Briol Homme: 10 Plant Extracts🔗

Briol Homme Daily Whitening is a men's care category product:

Key Functional Ingredients:

• 10 Plant Extracts: Centella Asiatica, Green Tea, Chamomile Flower, Rosemary Leaf, Lavender Flower, Tea Tree Leaf, Lemon Balm Leaf, Peppermint Leaf, Spearmint Leaf, Chlorella Pyrenoidosa
• Ceramide NP: Skin barrier strengthening
• Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer: Moisturizing
• Niacinamide + Adenosine: Dual functionality

Total ingredient count: 43 types, achieving a 5.0 rating.

Erchtin: 5 Ceramides + Fermented Ingredients🔗

Erchtin Airy Toning is a dermocosmetics category product:

Key Functional Ingredients:

• 5 Types of Ceramides: Ceramide NP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide AS, Ceramide EOP
• 4 Fermented Ingredients: Bacillus Ferment, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
• Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate: Collagen synthesis promoter
• 6 Vitamins: Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Retinyl Palmitate, Thiamine, Cyanocobalamin
• Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract: Contains resveratrol
• Niacinamide + Adenosine: Dual functionality

Total ingredient count: 78 types, the highest among the 6 products, 60ml volume at ₩38,000.

Grafen: 6 Grain Powders + Sebum Control🔗

Grafen Sun Pocket Oil Cut Stick is a sun stick category product:

Key Functional Ingredients:

• 6 Grain Powders: Centella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Powder, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Seed Powder, Black Soybean Powder, Rice Powder, Adzuki Bean Powder, Mung Bean Powder
• 10 Plant Extracts: Holy Basil Leaf, Mandarin, Citrus Peel, Jojoba Seed Oil, Eggplant Fruit, Coral Weed, Turmeric Root, Neem Leaf/Flower, Ivy Gourd Fruit
• Tocopherol: Antioxidant

Total ingredient count: 56 types, 15g stick formulation. TVXQ U-Know Yunho collaboration product with "[U-Know PICK/Oil Kill]" in the product name.

Dual Functional Cosmetics Status🔗

4 out of 6 products (66.7%) contain both niacinamide and adenosine simultaneously, classified as dual functional cosmetics.

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OEM/ODM Manufacturing Flexibility🔗

The fact that 6 products manufactured by the same company have different characteristics demonstrates the nature of OEM/ODM manufacturing.

Manufacturing Differentiation Elements:

1. UV Filter Combinations: 5 different combinations (multi 4th-gen filters, Mexoryl SX-based, 100% mineral, multi chemical filters, basic combination)
2. Functional Ingredients: Ingredients aligned with brand concepts (PDRN, centella, plant extracts, ceramides, grain powders)
3. Formulation: 5 cream types, 1 stick type
4. Price Range: ₩14,000 ~ ₩38,000 (2.7x gap)
5. Volume: 15g ~ 60ml

Each brand company sets the target market, price point, and product concept, while Greencos implements these through manufacturing technology. The ability to produce differentiated products for each brand while utilizing the same manufacturing facilities and technical capabilities represents the competency of an OEM/ODM manufacturer.

Data-Confirmed Differentiation:

• Ingredient count: 31 ~ 78 types
• UV filter count: 2 ~ 7 types
• 4th-gen filter usage: 0 ~ 3 types
• Dual functional: 4 products (66.7%)

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Conclusion🔗

Analysis of the 6 suncare products manufactured by Greencos at Olive Young in week 43, 2025 confirms that even with the same manufacturer, diverse products can be produced according to brand company requirements.

Key Findings:

1. All 6 products use different UV filter combinations
2. 83.3% contain 4th generation UV filters
3. 66.7% are dual functional cosmetics
4. 2.7x price gap, 2.5x ingredient count difference
5. Clearly different target markets for each brand

As an OEM/ODM manufacturer, Greencos implements the product concepts set by each brand company through manufacturing technology. This demonstrates the collaborative approach between manufacturers and brand companies in the K-beauty industry.

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Frequently Asked Questions🔗

Q. What company is Greencos?

A. Greencos Co., Ltd. is a cosmetics OEM/ODM manufacturer. They produce products for various brands, including the 6 suncare products analyzed here and products across multiple categories.

Q. What's the difference between OEM and ODM?

A. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) involves manufacturing only, following formulations and designs provided by the brand company. ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) involves everything from formulation development to manufacturing. The analyzed products were likely produced through either OEM or ODM methods depending on the collaboration approach between each brand company and Greencos.

Q. Do products from the same manufacturer have the same quality?

A. Having the same manufacturer doesn't mean identical product quality. As confirmed in this analysis, UV filter combinations (2-7 types), functional ingredients (31-78 types), and price ranges (₩14,000-₩38,000) all differ. Product characteristics and quality are determined by the formulations, raw material quality, and functional ingredients set by each brand company.

Q. What are 4th generation UV filters?

A. 4th generation UV filters are new-generation UV protection ingredients with improved photostability. Tinosorb S (Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine) provides excellent UVA+UVB protection and photostability. Uvinul A Plus (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate) enhances UVA protection and stabilizes other filters. Mexoryl SX (Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid) blocks long-wave UVA (UVA1). 5 out of 6 analyzed products (83.3%) contain 4th generation filters.

Q. Why do different brands use different UV filters?

A. Because each brand company sets different product concepts and target markets. Medicube selected multi 4th-gen filters for broad-spectrum UV protection, Mixsoon chose Mexoryl SX-based formulation for enhanced UVA protection, Briol Homme opted for cost-efficient combinations for price competitiveness, Erchtin selected 100% mineral filters targeting sensitive skin, and Grafen chose multi chemical filters optimized for stick formulation.

Q. What are dual functional cosmetics?

A. Products containing both niacinamide (whitening) and adenosine (wrinkle improvement) simultaneously. Niacinamide is a MFDS-approved whitening functional ingredient, and adenosine is a MFDS-approved wrinkle improvement functional ingredient. 4 out of 6 analyzed products (Medicube 2 types, Briol Homme, Erchtin) are classified as dual functional cosmetics. These are multi-functional products adding basic care features to sunscreen.

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