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COSRX vs Clarins

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

COSRX and Clarins are two distinct skincare lines established to address varied complexion needs through specific formulations. The Korean brand, founded in 2013, is beloved for its thoughtful array of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and oily acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the French house, founded in 1954, is loved for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with nourishing shea and hydrating squalane to suit sensitive and dry sensitive skin best. While both offer targeted treatments for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, they differ in their heritage, core ingredients, and ideal skin types.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Clarins products

People Say

COSRXClarins
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Skin texture improvement and smoothness Often 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”
    • “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Effective 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”
    • “doesn't make me greasy — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Luxurious texture Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “Creamy texture feels luxurious upon application — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “feels like silk — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Scent and fragrance issues 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 perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • High price and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Ineffective or slow results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “didn't see a lift — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “no change in circles — Clarins Double Serum Eye”

COSRX vs Clarins routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · $128.96 · 87% fitBuy Clarins routine · $250.04 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Clarins routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · $292.12 · 91% fitBuy Clarins routine · $434.07 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Clarins routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · $268.03 · 89% fitBuy Clarins routine · $413.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Clarins: which is better?

COSRX is better for oily and combination skin types, offering superior routine fit compared to Clarins. Lovi rates COSRX as superior for oily skin and oily acne-prone skin, while Clarins is rated average for oily skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Clarins?

COSRX is better for oily and acne-prone skin with effective pore control and gentle formulas, whereas Clarins offers luxurious textures with deep hydration that fit sensitive and mature skin well.

COSRX or Clarins for dry skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. COSRX helps with deep hydration and skin texture improvement, while Clarins is known for luxurious, hydrating moisturizers.

COSRX or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for oil and acne control, offering cleansers with a High fit for oily acne-prone skin, whereas Clarins cleansers generally have an Average fit for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Clarins?

Clarins has a high price point that is mostly mentioned as an issue, whereas high price and value concerns are noted for COSRX.

How do COSRX and Clarins compare regarding fragrance in their products?

COSRX is better for fragrance since only one of the products on this page has fragrance, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

Which brand is better for acne and pore control, COSRX or Clarins?

COSRX is better for acne and pore control, as the products on this page help provide effective acne control and clearing.

What are the main differences in where COSRX and Clarins were founded and who owns them?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea and is owned by Amorepacific Group, whereas Clarins was founded in 1954 in France and is owned by Famille C.

COSRX or Clarins for oily skin?

COSRX is a better fit than Clarins for oily skin, as Lovi rates COSRX as having a superior routine fit compared to Clarins' average fit. The products on this page help provide lightweight absorption and effective acne control.

COSRX or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers for different skin types, with Lovi giving COSRX superior fit levels for oily and oily acne-prone skin and Clarins superior fit levels for mature skin. For products on this page, COSRX helps with deep hydration and lightweight absorption, while Clarins may provide luxurious, hydrating moisturizers.

COSRX or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Clarins have a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, making them equally suitable options. The products on this page for both brands feature gentle formulations, and COSRX is additionally noted by reviewers for being gentle and non-irritating.

COSRX or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Clarins have a high routine fit for acne-prone skin, with COSRX offering superior results for oily acne-prone 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

How does it fit your skin?

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