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COSRX vs Shiseido

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

COSRX and Shiseido are a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872, respectively. The former is beloved for its thoughtful array of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which harness key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the latter is known for its sophisticated moisturizers, gentle cleansers, protective sunscreens, nourishing serums, and more, all formulated with key ingredients like glycerin. Both brands suit oily skin and sensitive skin best, owing to formulations that balance moisture and soothe irritation. They differ in their specific standout products and the broader mechanisms of their key ingredients, which lengthen toxin duration, reduce cell damage, increase skin hydration and barrier function, decrease hyperpigmentation, and reduce skin aging.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Shiseido products

People Say

COSRXShiseido
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Skin texture and smoothness improvement Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “absorbs quickly — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • 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)”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
  • Effective acne and pore control Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “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”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • Soothing and calming effect Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “no stinging — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “No irritation — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Often MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • High price and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Strong scent or fragrance issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like tea tree/medicinal — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Packaging and bottle issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “heavy to travel — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “Heavy bottle but plastic pump, cannot see remaining product, straw too short to get last drops. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “heavy jar, waste of plastic, faulty pump (on dispenser versions) — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$239.37 · 91% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$515.52 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$330.57 · 92% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$737.92 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$311.08 · 89% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$614.44 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Shiseido: which is better?

Both COSRX and Shiseido offer strong options, but COSRX is better suited for dry skin with a Superior routine fit compared to Shiseido's Average fit. Shiseido products on this page often feature strong fragrances, whereas COSRX mostly avoids added fragrances across its range.

What is the difference between COSRX and Shiseido?

COSRX offers better value and gentler, fragrance-free options that excel at acne control and soothing sensitive or oily skin, while Shiseido provides luxurious, heavily fragranced formulas known for deep hydration and firming benefits.

COSRX or Shiseido for dry skin?

COSRX has a Superior fit level for dry skin, whereas Shiseido has an Average fit level. Reviewers mention that COSRX products provide deep hydration and moisturization with lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

COSRX offers cleansers that are generally gentler, as Lovi rates the brand's cleansers as a Superior fit for sensitive skin compared to Shiseido's Average fit. Shiseido's cleansers tend to feature strong fragrances and higher price points, whereas COSRX focuses on soothing and non-stripping formulations.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Shiseido?

COSRX is more affordable, whereas high price and value concerns are frequently mentioned for Shiseido.

Between COSRX and Shiseido, which brand has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products?

COSRX has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products on this page, as 37 out of 38 products list no fragrance compared to only 5 out of 20 products for Shiseido.

How do the founding years and home countries of COSRX and Shiseido compare?

COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013, whereas Shiseido was founded in Japan much earlier, in 1872.

Which brand performs better for soothing and calming effects according to review themes?

COSRX performs better for soothing and calming effects compared to Shiseido according to the review themes on this page.

COSRX or Shiseido for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX is a better fit with a Superior routine fit compared to Shiseido's High fit. The products on this page for COSRX help with effective acne and pore control and lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Shiseido offer effective moisturizers, but COSRX is better for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates its routines as Superior compared to Shiseido's High. Shiseido matches COSRX for mature skin and skin with dark spots with High routine fit levels.

COSRX or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

COSRX is a better fit for sensitive skin, earning a Superior routine fit compared to Shiseido's High fit on this page.

COSRX or Shiseido: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX offers sunscreens such as the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen, which has a High fit level for sensitive skin and a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Shiseido features options like the Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion, which has lower fit levels for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. Additionally, the products on this page from COSRX generally list no fragrance, while most Shiseido products contain fragrance.

COSRX or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

COSRX fits acne-prone skin better with a Superior routine level, compared to Shiseido which has a High routine fit on this page.

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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