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COSRX vs Hada Labo

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

COSRX and Hada Labo are celebrated Asian beauty lines from 2013 and 2004, respectively. The Korean brand is known for targeted serums, cleansers, and masks using hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and acne-prone skin, while the Japanese counterpart is warmly loved for hydration-focused toners, removers, and moisturizers that suit dry, sensitive, oily, and combination skin types. Both offer standout solutions for concerns like dark spots, acne, and maturity, yet they differ in their primary formulation approaches and product arrays.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular COSRX vs Hada Labo products

People Say

COSRXHada Labo
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Deep Hydration and Plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • 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”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Skin Texture and Glow Often MentionedNot noted
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Acne and Pore Control Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Value for Money Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “huge bottle — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “gave me fungal acne — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “gave me closed comedones — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • No Visible Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “didn't do anything — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “takes months to see results — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “takes time to see results — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”

Questions and answers

COSRX or Hada Labo: which is better?

COSRX is better for acne and pore control, while Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and plumping. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between COSRX and Hada Labo?

COSRX is best suited for oily, acne-prone, and dry skin, while Hada Labo focuses mainly on deep hydration with hyaluronic acid. Reviewers note that Hada Labo tends to do better for deep hydration and plumping, whereas COSRX excels in lightweight absorption, skin texture, and acne control.

COSRX or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Hada Labo offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX providing lightweight absorption and Hada Labo excelling in deep hydration and plumping. For dry skin, the Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream by COSRX has a Superior Lovi fit on sensitive skin and High on dry skin, while Hada Labo's Gokujyun Perfect Gel achieves a High Lovi fit for dry skin.

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

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo does better for value for money than COSRX.

Which causes fewer breakouts, COSRX or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo may cause fewer breakouts than COSRX, as breakouts and purging are noted as a negative review theme for COSRX on this page, while Hada Labo features gentle and fragrance-free formulations.

How do the origins and ownership of COSRX and Hada Labo compare?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea and has been owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024. In comparison, Hada Labo was founded in 2004 in Japan and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Which brand offers better results for deep hydration and plumping, COSRX or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo does better for deep hydration and plumping. Sodium hyaluronate helps improve skin quality and hydration.

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

How does the fragrance content differ between COSRX and Hada Labo products?

COSRX products on this page list fragrance in only one product, the Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+, while Hada Labo products on this page list no fragrance in every product.

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

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