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COSRX vs Minimalist

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

COSRX and Minimalist are accessible skincare brands that offer reliable options for daily routines. The Korean label features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and sensitive skin, whereas the Indian brand focuses on sunscreens, moisturizers, and cleansers tailored for acne-prone and oily skin. While the former relies on snail mucin, propolis, and centella to soothe irritation and balance moisture, both lines provide targeted solutions for concerns like dark spots and aging.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Minimalist is an Indian skincare brand founded in 2020 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2025.

m.economictimes.comunilever.combeminimalist.copersonalcareinsights.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Minimalist products

People Say

COSRXMinimalist
  • Hydration and Moisture 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”
    • “very moisturizing — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “calmed it when my skin was super irritated — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Gentle and Non-Stripping Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “doesn't make skin feel tight — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Acne and Pore Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “acne cleared up in a week — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Deep Cleansing and Oil Control Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “perfect moisturizer for oily skin — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “keeps skin oil-free for hours — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
    • “whisking away that excess shine — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
  • Beneficial and Fragrance-Free Ingredients Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “love the niacinamide — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “zero smell — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “consistency is like water — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Drying or Insufficient Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “made skin flaky — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Medicinal and Chemical Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells of herbs and earth — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “smells like chemicals — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Packaging and Quality Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “tube cracked on the side — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “hate dipping fingers in — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “cap leaks during travel — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”

COSRX vs Minimalist routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$239.37 · 91% fitBuy Minimalist routine · A$165.09 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Minimalist routines for oily skin

Buy Minimalist routine · A$398.16 · 93% fitBuy COSRX routine · A$330.57 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Minimalist routines for combination skin

Buy Minimalist routine · A$282.02 · 92% fitBuy COSRX routine · A$311.08 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Minimalist: which is better?

Both COSRX and Minimalist are great brands, with COSRX being a better fit for dry and sensitive skin types while Minimalist excels in deep cleansing and oil control. For dry skin, Lovi rates COSRX as Superior and Minimalist as High.

What is the difference between COSRX and Minimalist?

COSRX fits best for oily, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, while Minimalist fits best for acne-prone, oily, and oily acne-prone skin. Reviewers find that COSRX does better for lightweight and fast absorption and for being gentle and non-stripping, whereas Minimalist does better for deep cleansing and oil control and for beneficial and fragrance-free ingredients.

COSRX or Minimalist for dry skin?

For dry skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior while Minimalist is High. COSRX also excels with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration.

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

COSRX or Minimalist: which sunscreen is better?

When comparing sunscreens, both COSRX and Minimalist offer options that achieve a High Lovi fit level for most skin types. Minimalist has 1 sunscreen on this page while COSRX offers 3 options, including the Aloe Soothing Sun Cream and Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Minimalist?

The products on this page do not list pricing information, so a direct comparison of affordability cannot be made.

COSRX or Minimalist: which brand offers better fragrance-free options?

Minimalist offers better fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas COSRX includes fragrance in one of its products on this page.

COSRX or Minimalist: which brand is better suited for dry sensitive skin?

COSRX is better suited for dry sensitive skin because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, compared to High for Minimalist. The products on this page for COSRX also fit best for sensitive and dry sensitive skin types.

Which brand provides a better routine fit for combination skin?

Minimalist provides a better routine fit for combination skin, as Lovi rates Minimalist's routine fit as Superior while rating COSRX's routine fit as High.

COSRX or Minimalist for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Minimalist are great options, as Lovi rates both brands as Superior for oily skin. The products on this page from both brands help with oil control and acne, though Minimalist is noted to do better specifically for deep cleansing and oil control.

COSRX or Minimalist for sensitive skin?

COSRX is better for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior for this skin type while Minimalist achieves a High rating. Reviewers also note that the products on this page by COSRX are gentle and non-irritating.

COSRX or Minimalist for acne-prone skin?

Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi giving COSRX a Superior fit and Minimalist a Superior fit. Review themes show that both brands are equal for acne and pore control. COSRX fits best for sensitive skin, while Minimalist fits best for oily skin.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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