COSRX vs Biore
COSRX and Biore are well-regarded Asian skincare brands offering thoughtful selections of cleansers, masks, and treatments. The South Korean line focuses on serums and moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and acne-prone skin, while the Japanese counterpart features sunscreens and makeup removers designed for sensitive and oily skin. Ultimately, the two brands differ through their distinct founding heritages, ingredient philosophies, and target formulations.
COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.
koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com
Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.
This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and Biore products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular COSRX vs Biore products
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Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
CA$24.99
- Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
-
The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
CA$31.50
- BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
-
The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum
CA$33.50
-
Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream
CA$26.18
-
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
CA$20.40
-
The Retinol 0.1 Cream
CA$28.91
People Say
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”
- “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Keeps shine away — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing 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)”
- “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly 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”
- “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Deep Cleansing and Oil Control Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “No greasy film, leaves skin fresh, rinses easily. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “removes every trace of oil — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
- “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
- “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
Drying and Stripping Effects Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
- “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
- “Made my skin peel — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “Can feel drying, skin feels tight after use. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
Medicinal and Strong Scent 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)”
- “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Unpleasant Texture and Finish Often MentionedSometimes 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”
- “too dewy for oily skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “Too liquidy, thin consistency, messy application. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
COSRX vs Biore routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$36.96
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
CA$31.98
-
Moisturizer
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$24.99
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
CA$26.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
Evening · Once a week
CA$24.49
-
Nourishing Mask
Full Fit Propolis Honey Overnight Mask
Once a week
CA$34.99
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$20.19
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
CA$27.99
-
Moisturizer
Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$162.00
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$42.80
-
Serum or Treatment
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule
Evening · Once a week
CA$22.09
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
Buy COSRX routine · CA$218.38 · 91% fit
Buy Biore routine · CA$305.06 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
COSRX vs Biore routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$18.51
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$31.98
-
Moisturizer
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$29.98
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
CA$26.97
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Evening
CA$20.40
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$20.96
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$29.98
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$42.80
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
CA$6.60
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
Buy COSRX routine · CA$288.29 · 92% fit
Buy Biore routine · CA$291.34 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
COSRX vs Biore routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$36.96
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$31.98
-
Moisturizer
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$29.98
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
CA$26.97
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Evening
CA$20.40
-
Serum or Treatment
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
Evening · Once a week
CA$24.49
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$44.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$29.98
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$42.80
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
CA$6.60
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
Buy COSRX routine · CA$271.24 · 91% fit
Buy Biore routine · CA$273.42 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
COSRX or Biore: which is better?
COSRX stands out on this page as the better brand overall due to its wider variety of targeted products and superior routine fits across most skin types, including dry, oily, and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page help deliver lightweight absorption, deep hydration, and effective acne control. Biore focuses more narrowly on deep cleansing and oil control with a smaller selection.
What is the difference between COSRX and Biore?
COSRX offers far more products on this page than Biore, with Lovi rating COSRX as having a Superior routine fit across nearly all skin types while Biore routines fit at a High level. Reviewers note that COSRX products on this page do better with lightweight absorption, deep hydration, and soothing, whereas Biore does better with deep cleansing and oil control.
COSRX or Biore for dry skin?
For dry skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for Biore. Reviewers on this page note that COSRX excels in deep hydration and moisture.
COSRX or Biore: which cleanser is better?
COSRX offers cleansers with superior ratings for multiple skin types on this page, whereas Biore products on this page have average or low fit levels for cleansers. COSRX also excels in providing gentle and non-irritating cleansing formulas that help maintain skin hydration.
Which is more affordable, COSRX or Biore?
This information is not available on this page, as pricing details are not provided for either COSRX or Biore.
How do COSRX and Biore compare in terms of fragrance use across their products?
COSRX includes fragrance in only one product on this page, the Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+, while Biore lists no fragrance in any of its products here.
Which brand performs better for deep cleansing and oil control between COSRX and Biore?
Biore performs better than COSRX for deep cleansing and oil control. The products on this page for both brands offer various options, but Biore excels specifically in this review theme.
When comparing their founding years and parent companies, how long has each brand been on the market?
COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013 and has been on the market for over a decade, while Biore was established in Japan in 1980 and has been available for over forty years.
COSRX or Biore for oily skin?
For oily skin, COSRX offers superior routine fit while Biore provides high routine fit, and reviewers note that the products on this page by COSRX are better for lightweight absorption and deep hydration. Oily skin often benefits from lightweight moisture, and topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.
COSRX or Biore: which sunscreen is better?
COSRX offers multiple sunscreens with strong ratings, such as the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen which has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while Biore features UV Aqua Rich. The products on this page show that COSRX provides more options suited for various skin types.
COSRX or Biore for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, COSRX offers superior routine fit while Biore features a high routine fit. Lovi rates COSRX as Superior for sensitive skin, and the products on this page frequently help provide gentle and non-irritating care with ingredients like centella asiatica and snail mucin.
COSRX or Biore for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, COSRX is superior, whereas Biore has a high routine fit. The products on this page for COSRX are well-suited for acne management, featuring key ingredients like Centella asiatica and snail mucin.
Research behind their key ingredients
Bifidobacterium longum lysate, a new ingredient for reactive skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Phyllanthus emblica L. (amla) branch: A safe and effective ingredient against skin aging
The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Skin moisturization by hydrogenated polyisobutene--quantitative and visual evaluation
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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