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COSRX vs Anessa

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

COSRX and Anessa are a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1992, respectively. The former is beloved for its thoughtful array of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks that thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily skin and oily acne-prone skin best, while the latter is widely loved for its advanced sunscreens and sophisticated formulas that suit all skin types best. These distinct approaches mean the brands differ primarily in their core offerings and target profiles, with the first expertly balancing delicate moisture levels and the second offering reliable daily protection.

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

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Anessa is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1992 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

anessaco.comen.wikipedia.orgcorp.shiseido.comhappi.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Anessa products

Questions and answers

COSRX or Anessa: which is better?

COSRX is generally better for a wider variety of skincare needs, offering extensive ranges for hydration, acne, and aging, whereas Anessa focuses almost entirely on sunscreens. Reviewers frequently note that COSRX products provide lightweight absorption and deep hydration while remaining gentle.

What is the difference between COSRX and Anessa?

COSRX is a South Korean brand offering a wide range of skincare products that fit oily, oily acne-prone, and combination skin best, while Anessa is a Japanese brand owned by Shiseido that focuses specifically on sunscreen.

COSRX or Anessa: which sunscreen is better?

For sunscreen options, COSRX offers superior fit levels for acne-prone skin with its Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen, whereas Anessa's sunscreens provide high fit levels across a broader range of skin types including oily and mature skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Anessa?

The provided page facts do not contain pricing information, so a comparison of affordability between COSRX and Anessa cannot be made.

Which causes fewer breakouts, COSRX or Anessa?

Both COSRX and Anessa offer products with high Lovi fit levels for acne-prone skin, meaning both can help keep breakouts at bay without clogging pores. COSRX provides a wider variety of targeted acne-clearing treatments, while Anessa focuses specifically on sunscreens that suit blemish-prone skin.

Which brand has been on the market longer, COSRX or Anessa?

Anessa has been on the market longer, having been founded in Japan in 1992, whereas COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013.

How many products from COSRX contain added fragrance compared to Anessa?

COSRX has one product on this page with added fragrance, while Anessa has none.

Which skin types do COSRX routines fit best according to the page?

According to the page, COSRX routines fit best for oily skin, oily acne-prone skin, and combination skin.

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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