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COSRX vs SK-II

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

COSRX and SK-II are esteemed Asian beauty names, with the Korean brand founded in 2013 and the Japanese icon established in 1980. COSRX is beloved for its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and sensitive skin, whereas SK-II offers nourishing moisturizers, serums, masks, and toners anchored by pitera to suit acne-prone and dry skin. Both labels deliver targeted solutions for concerns like dark spots, acne, and maturity, differing primarily in their foundational ingredients and regional heritage.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular COSRX vs SK-II products

People Say

COSRXSK-II
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization 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”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Radiance and glow enhancement Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Effective acne and oil 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”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Exorbitant and high price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • No visible or slow results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “didn't do anything — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

COSRX vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$239.37 · 91% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,400.12 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$330.57 · 92% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,436.99 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$311.08 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,429.91 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or SK-II: which is better?

COSRX is better for sensitive and dry sensitive skin because Lovi rates its fit as Superior, whereas SK-II achieves a High fit level for those skin types.

What is the difference between COSRX and SK-II?

COSRX is owned by Amorepacific Group and features key ingredients like snail mucin and hyaluronic acid, whereas SK-II is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company and centers around its signature Pitera ingredient. For routine fit, COSRX achieves a Superior rating for sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin on Lovi, while SK-II achieves a High rating for those same skin types.

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

COSRX or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates both COSRX and SK-II as having a Superior routine fit level. COSRX helps deliver deep hydration and moisturization using key ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

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

COSRX or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX products on this page offer deep hydration and moisturization that make them better suited for dry and sensitive skin, while SK-II features options like the Facial Treatment Essence with a High routine fit for dry skin. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and provides anti-aging effects.

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

Which is more affordable, COSRX or SK-II?

COSRX is more affordable than SK-II, though review themes note an exorbitant and high price point for COSRX as well.

Between COSRX and SK-II, which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin?

COSRX and SK-II both achieve a Superior routine fit level for oily acne-prone skin on Lovi. COSRX products on this page often help with effective acne control and clearing as well as deep hydration.

How do the founding countries and parent companies of COSRX and SK-II compare?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea and is owned by Amorepacific Group, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

Which brand offers better results for improving skin radiance and glow, COSRX or SK-II?

SK-II does better than COSRX for radiance and glow enhancement. Reviewers on the Lovi page note that SK-II is stronger in this area.

COSRX or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX achieves a Superior Lovi fit level while SK-II achieves a High fit level. The products on this page from COSRX provide effective acne and oil control, and the brand is noted for offering deep hydration and moisturization.

COSRX or SK-II for sensitive skin?

COSRX achieves a Superior fit on Lovi for sensitive skin, whereas SK-II achieves a High fit. The products on this page for COSRX feature key soothing ingredients like centella asiatica and allantoin, and almost all of them list no fragrance.

COSRX or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both COSRX and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi fit level across their brand-focused routines. Reviewers note that COSRX does better for effective acne and oil control.

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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