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COSRX vs Medik8

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

COSRX and Medik8 are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to everyday routines, with the former founded in 2013 and the latter in 2009. Both feature serums, moisturizers, toners, and more built around hyaluronic acid, while the first brand also utilizes glycerin and niacinamide. The Korean brand suits oily and acne-prone skin best with standout solutions like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, the Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner, and the Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner, whereas the British brand fits dry and dry sensitive skin best with products such as the Surface Radiance Cleanse, Oxy-R Peptides, and the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream. They differ primarily in their core formulations and targeted complexions, helping users choose based on specific personal needs.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Medik8 products

People Say

COSRXMedik8
  • Soothing, calming and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Improves skin texture and glow Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Deep hydration and plumping 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”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
  • 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”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Additional beneficial features Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “removes all the oil — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “softened crow's feet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
  • 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”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • Slow or no visible results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · CA$134.16 · 97% fitBuy COSRX routine · CA$218.38 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · CA$288.29 · 92% fitBuy Medik8 routine · CA$386.00 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · CA$350.00 · 93% fitBuy COSRX routine · CA$271.24 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Medik8: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but COSRX is better suited for oily and acne-prone skin with its Superior routine fit, while Medik8 offers a Superior routine fit for mature skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Medik8?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group, whereas Medik8 is a British brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oreal Groupe. COSRX fits best for oily, acne-prone, and dry skin, while Medik8 fits best for dry, dry sensitive, and combination skin.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 are great options, as Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for each brand. The products on this page provide deep hydration and moisturization, helping to nourish dry skin effectively.

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

COSRX or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer effective cleansers, with COSRX achieving a Superior fit for acne-prone skin and Medik8 achieving a Superior fit for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots on this page. COSRX also does better for acne and pore control overall.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX is more affordable, whereas Medik8 has a high price point as a negative review theme for the products on this page.

COSRX or Medik8: which is better for improving skin texture and glow?

Medik8 does better for improving skin texture and glow among the products on this page. Reviewers report that Medik8 provides a pleasant experience and scent, a luxurious texture, and brightening and glow.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of COSRX and Medik8 compare?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea and is owned by Amorepacific Group, whereas Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe.

COSRX or Medik8 for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX offers a Superior routine fit, whereas Medik8 provides a High routine fit on this page.

COSRX or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer moisturizers with a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin. COSRX features options like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, while Medik8 includes the Hydr8 B5 Intense moisturizer.

COSRX or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 provide a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. COSRX helps soothe reactive areas with ingredients like allantoin and panthenol, which support skin barrier health.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for this skin type, compared to Medik8 which reaches a High fit level. COSRX also does better when it comes to acne and pore control.

COSRX or Medik8 for mature skin?

Medik8 is a Superior fit for mature skin, whereas COSRX achieves a High fit level on the products on this page.

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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