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COSRX vs Biore

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

COSRX and Biore are esteemed Asian skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily routines, with the former originating in Korea in 2013 and the latter in Japan in 1980. Both labels provide specialized products for oily skin, yet they utilize different core formulations, incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide in COSRX selections while relying on carefully balanced ingredients in Biore options. These offerings cater to various skin types and concerns, where the Korean brand suits oily and oily acne-prone skin best with targeted items like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, and the Japanese brand suits oily and combination skin best with essentials like the UV Aqua Rich. Ultimately, they differ through their heritage and specific ingredient philosophies, providing reliable solutions for refined moisture levels and targeted care.

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.

biore.comkao.com

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

People Say

COSRXBiore
  • 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

Buy Biore routine · $141.68 · 89% fitBuy COSRX routine · $128.96 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Biore routines for oily skin

Buy Biore routine · $315.98 · 94% fitBuy COSRX routine · $292.12 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Biore routines for combination skin

Buy Biore routine · $307.57 · 94% fitBuy COSRX routine · $268.03 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Biore: which is better?

COSRX outperforms Biore across several key review themes on this page, including lightweight absorption, deep hydration, skin smoothing, and soothing benefits. Both brands offer equal routine fit levels for dry, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin types.

What is the difference between COSRX and Biore?

COSRX and Biore are skincare brands from South Korea and Japan respectively, where COSRX excels in providing deeper hydration and soothing benefits through its extensive product range, while Biore focuses more on deep cleansing and oil control. COSRX offers superior or high fit levels for most skin types, featuring key ingredients like snail mucin and hyaluronic acid that help improve skin texture and manage acne.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

COSRX or Biore for dry skin?

For dry skin, COSRX achieves a High routine fit and Biore achieves a High routine fit, making them an equal match. COSRX helps deliver deep hydration and moisture through key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

COSRX or Biore: which cleanser is better?

COSRX offers cleansers like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser that achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for dry and sensitive skin, whereas Biore cleansers typically achieve lower fit levels for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Biore?

This page does not contain pricing information, so a comparison of affordability between COSRX and Biore cannot be made.

How do COSRX and Biore compare in terms of fragrance across their products?

COSRX has almost no fragrance across its range, with only one product listing it out of thirty-eight, while Biore lists no fragrance in any of the products on this page.

Which brand offers better options for addressing dark spots, COSRX or Biore?

For addressing dark spots, Biore offers a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas COSRX offers a High fit level.

What are the founding years and countries of origin for COSRX and Biore?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea, and Biore was founded in 1980 in Japan.

COSRX or Biore for oily skin?

For oily skin, both COSRX and Biore achieve a Superior routine fit. Reviewers note that COSRX outperforms Biore in lightweight absorption and deep hydration.

COSRX or Biore: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX offers a wider variety of sunscreens on this page, including the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen and Aloe Soothing Sun Cream, which have High to Superior fit levels across most skin types. In comparison, Biore features the UV Aqua Rich sunscreen, which achieves a High fit level for combination skin but ranges from Low to Caution for dry and dry sensitive skin.

COSRX or Biore for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, COSRX offers products on this page with High Lovi fit, while Biore offers a Superior fit level. Reviewers often note that COSRX products provide gentle and non-irritating care with lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Biore for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates both COSRX and Biore as a Superior fit. The products on this page help control oil and clear breakouts effectively.

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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