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COSRX vs Clinique

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

COSRX and Clinique are distinct skincare brands founded in South Korea in 2013 and America in 1968, respectively. The former offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide that suit oily and oily acne-prone skin best, while the latter provides moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine for dry sensitive and oily skin. Ultimately, the brands differ in their regional origins, founding eras, parent companies, and specific active ingredients tailored to distinct dermatological needs.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular COSRX vs Clinique products

People Say

COSRXClinique
  • Soothing and calming for sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • 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”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Acne and pore control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Skin feels like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “smoother skin — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Makeup base compatibility Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • Insufficient hydration or dryness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Made my skin super dry — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
  • High price and poor value Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • 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”
    • “didn't help dark circles — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “don't expect miracles overnight — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Sticky or greasy finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “feels sticky to the touch — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”

COSRX vs Clinique routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · $128.96 · 87% fitBuy Clinique routine · $370.23 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · $292.12 · 91% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · $268.03 · 89% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Clinique: which is better?

COSRX is better for dry, combination, and dark spot skin types, where Lovi rates its routines as High compared to Clinique's Average. Both brands perform equally well for sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin with High routine fits.

What is the difference between COSRX and Clinique?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily skin and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique has a High routine fit for those skin types. Lovi finds that COSRX achieves High routine fits for dry skin and combination skin, while Clinique reaches an Average routine fit for both.

COSRX or Clinique for dry skin?

For dry skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as High while Clinique's routine is Average.

COSRX or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

For cleansers, COSRX offers superior options for acne-prone skin with products like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, while Clinique's cleansers like the Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser fit dry sensitive skin well.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Clinique?

Clinique is noted on the products on this page for a high price point, whereas COSRX receives reviewer feedback regarding poor value.

COSRX or Clinique for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates COSRX as Superior and Clinique as High.

COSRX or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for moisturizers on the products on this page, offering superior or high fit levels across most skin types. Reviewers often mention its deep hydration and lightweight absorption.

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

COSRX or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Clinique are well-suited for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands as having High routine fit levels for this skin type.

COSRX or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Clinique are good options for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. COSRX products on this page often feature effective acne control and clearing, while Clinique offers gentle and effective cleansers.

COSRX or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

COSRX is the better choice for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Average for Clinique. The products on this page help improve pigmentation through key ingredients like niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Clinique for mature skin?

Both COSRX and Clinique are good options for mature skin, as Lovi rates both brands at a High level for this skin type. COSRX helps improve skin texture and offers deep hydration, while Clinique features products like Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream that has a Superior fit level for mature skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

COSRX or Clinique for oily acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for oily acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Clinique's High. The products on this page help control acne effectively while providing lightweight absorption.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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