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COSRX vs Elemis

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

COSRX and Elemis are two distinct skincare lines known for distinct approaches, with the Korean brand founded in 2013 and the British brand established in 1989. The former offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, suiting oily and acne-prone skin best. Conversely, Elemis provides nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners anchored by glycerin and shea, suiting mature and dry skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their foundational ingredients and targeted skin types.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular COSRX vs Elemis products

People Say

COSRXElemis
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Soothing and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Texture and glow improvements 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”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Acne and pore 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”
    • “face feels super clean — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Spa-like and pleasant scents Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Value and price concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Unpleasant scents 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)”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · CA$218.38 · 91% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$278.47 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · CA$288.29 · 92% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$411.49 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · CA$271.24 · 91% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$369.58 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Elemis: which is better?

COSRX offers better value and superior fit levels for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types, whereas Elemis is better suited for mature skin and offers luxurious textures with spa-like scents. Sodium hyaluronate helps improve skin quality and hydration signs.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between COSRX and Elemis?

COSRX is a South Korean brand focused on gentle, effective acne control and deep hydration, whereas Elemis is a British luxury brand centered on mature skin and anti-aging treatments. COSRX offers superior routine fits for oily, acne-prone, and dry sensitive skin, while Elemis is known for luxurious textures and spa-like scents.

COSRX or Elemis for dry skin?

COSRX is better for dry skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis, which has a High fit. Reviewers often note that COSRX products provide deep hydration and moisturization with lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin, with cleansers like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser earning a Superior fit level for dry, sensitive, acne-prone, and combination skin types. Elemis products on this page are more prone to a high price point and strong fragrance compared to COSRX, which lists no fragrance in 37 of 38 products on this page.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Elemis?

COSRX is more affordable, whereas review themes note that Elemis has high price point concerns.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, COSRX or Elemis?

COSRX has significantly more fragrance-free products on this page, with 37 out of 38 products listing no fragrance, compared to only 4 out of 22 products for Elemis.

COSRX or Elemis for oily skin?

COSRX is the better choice for oily skin, offering Superior routine fit compared to Elemis, which has an Average fit. The products on this page for COSRX are well-suited for acne control, while Elemis reviewers frequently note a high price point.

COSRX or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Elemis offer well-regarded moisturizers, but they cater to different needs and skin types. COSRX moisturizers are particularly known for deep hydration and soothing formulations with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and hydration. Meanwhile, Elemis products on this page provide luxurious, hydrating textures that deliver a radiant glow.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or Elemis for sensitive skin?

COSRX is the better choice for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Elemis. COSRX also excels with gentle formulations and features fragrance in only one product on the page, whereas Elemis has a higher price point and frequent strong fragrance.

COSRX or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for this skin type while Elemis achieves a High fit level. COSRX also excels specifically in acne and pore control compared to Elemis.

COSRX or Elemis for mature skin?

Elemis is a better fit for mature skin, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level compared to COSRX's High fit level. Both brands help smooth skin texture and provide hydration, but Elemis focuses its formulas on anti-aging needs for mature skin.

COSRX or Elemis for dry sensitive skin?

COSRX achieves a Superior fit level for dry sensitive skin on this page, whereas Elemis achieves a High fit level. The products on this page for COSRX feature soothing ingredients like panthenol and snail mucin that help with gentle and non-irritating hydration.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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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