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COSRX skincare

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

COSRX is beloved for its thoughtful array of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide. Its products suit oily skin and oily acne-prone skin best, as these formulas expertly balance delicate moisture levels. For targeted concerns, the standout products include the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser for acne-prone skin, the Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner for skin with dark spots, and the Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner for mature skin. Together, the brand's key ingredients work harmoniously, with hyaluronic acid lengthening toxin duration and reducing cell damage, glycerin significantly increasing skin hydration and barrier function, and niacinamide significantly decreasing hyperpigmentation and reducing skin aging.

Drug Delivery, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

This page covers some of the most popular COSRX products; for the whole COSRX range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 319.3k+ reviews

Reviewers most often praise COSRX for deep hydration, improved skin texture, and soothing irritated skin. The most common complaints are skin dryness or stripping from cleansers and breakouts or irritation from sensitive formulations.

Highlights

  • Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “gives a healthy glow — The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “skin felt firm and plump — The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “skin feels softer immediately — The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Skin feels like glass — BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “smoother skin — AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
  • Gentle & non-irritating Often Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “no stinging — Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
  • Effective acne control and clearing Often Mentioned
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Glow and skin radiance Sometimes Noted
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “noticeable glow — The Vitamin C 23 Serum”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Sticky residue or finish Sometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “tacky finish — The Vitamin C 23 Serum”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Unpleasant scent or smell Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like hot dogs — The Vitamin C 23 Serum”
    • “smells like onions — The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like tea tree/medicinal — Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
  • Small bottle size or quantity Sometimes Noted
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — The Retinol 0.1 Cream”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, ulta.com, sokoglam.com, skinsort.com, amazon.com, and more

Questions and answers

Is COSRX good for oily skin?

Yes, COSRX is good for oily skin. Lovi rates the COSRX-focused routine Superior for oily skin. The COSRX products on this page are unlikely to cause heavy residue, as reviewers often mention lightweight absorption.

Is COSRX worth it?

Yes, COSRX is worth it for most shoppers, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routines High to Superior across major skin types. The COSRX products on this page are generally gentle, lightweight, and effective at calming and clearing the skin.

What are COSRX's best products?

COSRX rates Superior for oily, oily acne-prone, and combination skin types. Its top-rated options include Pure Fit Cica Serum, Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, and Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner, which help calm, smooth, and deeply hydrate the skin.

Which COSRX moisturizer is best for dry skin?

The best moisturizer for dry skin is Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. Other options on this page include Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule and Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream.

Does COSRX cause breakouts?

COSRX is unlikely to cause breakouts, as the COSRX products on this page are generally well-suited for acne-prone skin and reviewers often mention effective acne control and clearing. For example, the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and the Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner both rate Superior for acne-prone skin.

Is COSRX fragrance-free?

The COSRX products on this page are mostly fragrance-free, as 37 out of 38 list no added fragrance. Only the Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ includes fragrance.

What are the key ingredients in COSRX products?

The key ingredients found across the COSRX products on this page include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, allantoin, panthenol, snail mucin, butylene glycol, and centella asiatica. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to keep skin hydrated, while niacinamide may help reduce dark spots and improve overall skin tone. Panthenol is often used because it helps calm and soothe the skin.

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

How do I build a COSRX skincare routine?

To build a COSRX skincare routine for dry skin, start your morning with Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, followed by Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner, Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, and Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+. In the evening, cleanse with Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, treat with The Niacinamide 15 Serum, and moisturize with Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. Once a week, add Advanced Snail Mucin Power Sheet Mask before your moisturizer to give your skin a deep boost of hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Where can I buy COSRX, and how much does it cost?

COSRX products are available on Amazon US. Prices on this page range from $11.90 to $35.80, with most items falling between $16.57 and $20.99.

What are good alternatives to COSRX?

Good alternatives to COSRX include SKIN1004, Anua, Medicube, Beauty of Joseon, Dr. Althea, and Some By Mi. These similar brands feature dedicated pages on Lovi and offer comparable skincare options.

COSRX vs SKIN1004: which is better?

Lovi rates the COSRX-focused routine Superior for oily skin and High for dry skin, sensitive skin, combination skin, and acne-prone skin, while the SKIN1004-focused routine is rated Superior for dry skin and sensitive skin, and High for oily skin, combination skin, and acne-prone skin. Which brand is better depends on individual skin type and preferences, as both offer strong options tailored to different concerns.

Who owns COSRX, and where is it from?

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Is COSRX cruelty-free?

PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list COSRX as cruelty-free.

Is COSRX good for dry skin?

Yes, COSRX is well-suited for dry skin, as Lovi rates the COSRX-focused routine High for dry skin. The brand features many moisturizing products, such as Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, that help keep skin soft and deeply hydrated.

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

Which COSRX cleanser is best for oily skin?

The best COSRX cleanser for oily skin is the Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser, which has a High fit. Other options with a High fit include the AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser and the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser.

Is COSRX good for sensitive skin?

Yes, Lovi rates COSRX High for sensitive skin. The COSRX products on this page are generally gentle and non-irritating, and 37 of the 38 products list no fragrance.

Which COSRX sunscreen is best for sensitive skin?

The Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen is the best choice among the COSRX sunscreens on this page for sensitive skin, followed by the Aloe Soothing Sun Cream and the Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+, which all rate High for this skin type.

Is COSRX good for acne-prone skin?

Yes, COSRX rates High for acne-prone skin, and the COSRX products on this page help with acne control and clearing. The brand offers several options that target breakouts, such as BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner.

Is COSRX good for skin with dark spots?

Yes, COSRX is good for skin with dark spots, as the COSRX products on this page help improve skin tone and reduce pigmentation. Lovi rates the routine High for skin with dark spots. Topical niacinamide helps suppress pigment transfer to make dark spots less noticeable.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Is COSRX good for mature skin?

Yes, COSRX is good for mature skin. Lovi rates the COSRX-focused routine High for mature skin. Topical retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation to improve the look of naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Research behind COSRX's key ingredients

Behind these ratings

Lovi rates every product from its 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.

How does it fit your skin?

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