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COSRX vs Medik8

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

COSRX and Medik8 are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to everyday routines, with the former founded in 2013 and the latter in 2009. Both feature serums, moisturizers, toners, and more built around hyaluronic acid, while the first brand also utilizes glycerin and niacinamide. The Korean brand suits oily and acne-prone skin best with standout solutions like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, the Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner, and the Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner, whereas the British brand fits dry and dry sensitive skin best with products such as the Surface Radiance Cleanse, Oxy-R Peptides, and the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream. They differ primarily in their core formulations and targeted complexions, helping users choose based on specific personal needs.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Medik8 products

People Say

COSRXMedik8
  • Soothing, calming and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Improves skin texture and glow Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Deep hydration and plumping Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Additional beneficial features Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “removes all the oil — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “softened crow's feet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
  • Acne and pore control Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • Slow or no visible results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · AED 1,017.94 · 95% fitBuy COSRX routine · AED 408.70 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · AED 581.27 · 91% fitBuy Medik8 routine · AED 1,453.26 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · AED 1,409.08 · 92% fitBuy COSRX routine · AED 475.50 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Medik8: which is better?

Medik8 has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and combination skin, whereas COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily skin, oily acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin. For acne-prone skin, mature skin, and skin with dark spots, both brands offer equal fit levels.

What is the difference between COSRX and Medik8?

COSRX is a South Korean brand focused on acne and pore control with an oily skin routine fit of Superior, while Medik8 is a British brand focused on dry and sensitive skin with a dry skin routine fit of Superior. Both brands feature deep hydration and non-irritating formulations across the products on this page.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry skin?

Medik8 is a superior fit for dry skin, while COSRX offers a high routine fit for dry skin. Medik8 focuses on dry skin in its brand routines, and topical hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and skin plumping.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

COSRX or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

COSRX and Medik8 both offer cleansers suited to different needs, with COSRX focusing heavily on gentle, soothing formulas and acne control while Medik8 excels in surface radiance. For instance, the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieves a Superior Lovi fit for dry and sensitive skin, whereas Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse delivers a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX is more affordable, whereas Medik8 comes with a high price point. COSRX has a high price point disadvantage, but Medik8 frequently faces complaints about its high price point.

Between COSRX and Medik8, which brand is better for managing skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer products that are well-suited for skin with dark spots, with Lovi fit levels reaching High for both brands across multiple treatments. Reviewers note that Medik8 does better for improving skin texture and glow, while COSRX is favored for acne and pore control which can help address the root cause of certain spots.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of COSRX and Medik8 compare?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea and is owned by Amorepacific Group, whereas Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX has more fragrance-free products on the page than Medik8, offering 37 fragrance-free formulas compared to Medik8's 11.

COSRX or Medik8 for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX has a Superior routine fit while Medik8 has a High routine fit. COSRX is better suited for this skin type due to its focus on acne and pore control products.

COSRX or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 helps provide superior hydration and plumping for dry skin with products like Hydr8 B5 Intense, whereas COSRX is well suited for oily skin with options like the Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, so either brand helps provide gentle care. Reviewers report that both brands offer soothing and calming formulations that are gentle and non-irritating.

COSRX or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 achieve a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page, but COSRX is especially noted for effective acne control and clearing. Sodium hyaluronate helps with wound healing, which is beneficial for acne-prone skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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