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COSRX vs Elemis

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

COSRX and Elemis are two distinct skincare brands offering thoughtfully curated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners. The first brand incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and oily acne-prone skin best, while the second brand weaves together glycerin and shea to serve dry and mature skin best. While the Korean line expertly balances delicate moisture levels with targeted standout solutions, the British line provides deeply restorative qualities for specific skincare concerns.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular COSRX vs Elemis products

People Say

COSRXElemis
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Soothing and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Texture and glow improvements Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • 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”
    • “face feels super clean — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Spa-like and pleasant scents Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Value and price concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Unpleasant scents 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)”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · $557.99 · 88% fitBuy COSRX routine · $128.96 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · $292.12 · 91% fitBuy Elemis routine · $535.50 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · $268.03 · 89% fitBuy Elemis routine · $524.50 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Elemis: which is better?

COSRX is better for oily and acne-prone skin types, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis, which reaches a High fit. COSRX also tends to be gentler, with almost all products on the page listing no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

What is the difference between COSRX and Elemis?

COSRX is a South Korean brand focused on gentle, fragrance-minimal formulations that fit oily and acne-prone skin best, whereas Elemis is a British luxury brand focused on botanical and fragranced products that fit dry and mature skin best. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels for dry, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin types.

COSRX or Elemis for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Elemis are great options for dry skin, as the products on this page for both brands achieve a High routine fit for this skin type. COSRX helps deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while Elemis is well-known for its hydrating moisturizers that leave a radiant glow.

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

COSRX or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne control and soothing formulations across its cleansers on this page, while Elemis cleansers offer more spa-like and scented experiences.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Elemis?

Elemis is associated with high price point concerns among reviewers, whereas COSRX faces value and price concerns, though Elemis has a higher overall price bracket.

Between COSRX and Elemis, which brand has better fragrance-free options?

COSRX offers significantly more fragrance-free options, with 37 of the 38 products on this page listing no fragrance, compared to only 4 of the 22 Elemis products.

How do COSRX and Elemis compare in terms of lightweight absorption and deep hydration?

Elemis does better than COSRX for lightweight and fast absorption, while both brands are equal when it comes to deep hydration and moisturization.

Which brand is better suited for oily acne-prone skin according to their routine fit levels?

COSRX is better suited for oily acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for Elemis.

COSRX or Elemis for oily skin?

COSRX is a better fit for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior while Elemis is High.

COSRX or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX and Elemis both offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, but they differ in formulation focus and user experience. COSRX products on this page are generally fragrance-free and known for ingredients like snail mucin and hyaluronic acid, whereas Elemis options often feature luxurious textures and added fragrance.

COSRX or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Elemis have a High routine fit for sensitive skin. COSRX offers a soothing and gentle formulation that helps sensitive skin, while Elemis is often mentioned for its hydrating moisturizers.

COSRX or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for oily acne-prone skin compared to Elemis's High fit, and reviewers note that COSRX does better for acne and pore control. COSRX formulations also rely heavily on ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid, which help manage blemishes.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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