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COSRX vs The INKEY List

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

COSRX and The INKEY List are two distinct skincare lines designed to address varied complexion needs with gentle care. COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013, beloved for its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks that suit oily and sensitive skin best, while the British brand relies on glycerin across its own moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products to fit sensitive and acne-prone skin. Both utilize key ingredients like glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and barrier function, yet they differ in their origin and specific targeted concerns.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

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

Popular COSRX vs The INKEY List products

People Say

COSRXThe INKEY List
  • 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”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
  • 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”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
  • Texture improvement and smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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 like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Often 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”
    • “Never tight or stripped — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
  • Value for money Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “huge bottle — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
  • Acne and pore control Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
  • Packaging issues and small size Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “tube cracked on the side — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
  • Unpleasant texture and sticky finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Leaves a greasy film on face after washing — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$239.37 · 91% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · A$220.70 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · A$330.57 · 92% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · A$457.62 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · A$381.72 · 90% fitBuy COSRX routine · A$311.08 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or The INKEY List: which is better?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List perform well, but COSRX is superior for dry sensitive skin while The INKEY List is superior for skin with dark spots. COSRX helps improve skin texture and manage acne, whereas The INKEY List offers strong value for money.

What is the difference between COSRX and The INKEY List?

COSRX and The INKEY List both offer effective skincare products, but COSRX is well-regarded for texture improvement, acne control, and gentle formulas, while The INKEY List is known for value for money. For routine fit, COSRX achieves Superior levels for dry sensitive skin, whereas The INKEY List reaches Superior levels for skin with dark spots.

COSRX or The INKEY List for dry skin?

For dry skin, COSRX has a Superior routine fit, while The INKEY List has a High fit. COSRX offers superior results for dry skin with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

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

COSRX or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List offer effective cleansers, with COSRX providing better options for gentle formulas and acne control.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or The INKEY List?

The INKEY List offers better value for money than COSRX. Reviewers frequently note that The INKEY List provides affordable moisturizers and serums across its product range.

COSRX or The INKEY List for oily skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List achieve a Superior routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers find that both brands offer lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizers, while COSRX is noted to do better for acne and pore control.

COSRX or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX achieving a Superior routine fit for dry and dry sensitive skin while The INKEY List achieves a Superior fit for combination skin and skin with dark spots. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured in both brands, helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

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

COSRX or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List are well suited for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates the overall routine fit for both brands as Superior. COSRX also stands out for offering gentle and non-stripping formulas across its range.

COSRX or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List achieve a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin. COSRX products on this page help improve skin texture and control acne.

COSRX or The INKEY List for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit, while COSRX achieves a High fit level. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer, making it a key ingredient found in products from both brands.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or The INKEY List for combination skin?

For combination skin, The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit, whereas COSRX achieves a High routine fit on the page.

COSRX or The INKEY List for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, compared to High for The INKEY List.

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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