🇺🇸United States

COSRX vs Galderma

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

COSRX and Galderma are respected skincare brands, with the former founded in South Korea in 2013 and the latter established in Switzerland in 1981. The first brand offers a thoughtful array of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the Swiss brand focuses specifically on serums. Both companies suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best, yet they differ in their formulation philosophy and targeted treatment options. Choosing between them involves weighing the Korean brand's gentle, moisture-balancing approach against the Swiss manufacturer's specialized acne gels.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

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

Popular COSRX vs Galderma products

People Say

COSRXGalderma
  • Acne and Oil Control Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas 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”
    • “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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)”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedNot 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”
  • Results and Efficacy Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “scars are fading — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “angry redness tones down — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
    • “diminished fine lines under eyes — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
  • Dryness and Peeling Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough on its own — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Eye and Sensation Discomfort Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “stings really bad if it accidentally gets in the eyes — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “burns eyes when sweating — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “stings my eyes bad — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Purging and Side Effects Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “The purging is real — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Packaging and Size Often MentionedNot noted
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Galderma routines for dry skin

Buy Galderma routine · $153.64 · 90% fitBuy COSRX routine · $128.96 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Galderma routines for oily skin

Buy Galderma routine · $326.92 · 96% fitBuy COSRX routine · $292.12 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Galderma routines for combination skin

Buy Galderma routine · $318.51 · 94% fitBuy COSRX routine · $268.03 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Galderma: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but COSRX is better suited for gentle hydration and soothing care, whereas Galderma is more effective for targeted acne control and results. For specific needs like dry skin, Lovi rates COSRX as High and Galderma as Superior.

What is the difference between COSRX and Galderma?

COSRX and Galderma differ primarily in their formulation focus and skin feel, with COSRX offering gentler, deeply hydrating formulas featuring snail mucin and botanical extracts, whereas Galderma specializes in potent acne-clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling. Reviewers frequently note that COSRX excels in soothing and lightweight absorption, while Galderma provides high efficacy for acne control.

COSRX or Galderma for dry skin?

Galderma provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas COSRX achieves a High routine fit. Reviewers note that Galderma products may cause severe dryness and peeling.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Galderma?

The products on this page do not provide pricing information to determine whether COSRX or Galderma is more affordable.

Between COSRX and Galderma, which brand is better for managing skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Galderma provide a High Lovi fit for managing skin with dark spots. The products on this page for COSRX feature brightening ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer, while Galderma focuses on targeted acne-clearing serums.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding years and origins of COSRX and Galderma compare?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea and is owned by Amorepacific Group, whereas Galderma was founded in 1981 in Switzerland and is owned by Galderma Group AG.

Which brand performs better when it comes to soothing and gentle formulas according to reviewers?

COSRX performs better than Galderma for soothing and gentle formulas. Reviewers frequently note that the products on this page offer gentle and non-irritating care, whereas Galderma is more often associated with severe dryness, peeling, and discomfort.

COSRX or Galderma for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Galderma fit oily skin at a Superior level with their brand-focused routines. The products on this page help control oil and acne effectively.

COSRX or Galderma for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both COSRX and Galderma achieve a High fit on this page. COSRX provides soothing and gentle formulas, while Galderma focuses on targeted acne-clearing serums that may lead to severe dryness and peeling.

COSRX or Galderma for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Galderma fit acne-prone skin well, with Galderma achieving a Superior routine fit and COSRX achieving a High routine fit. The products on this page by Galderma are noted for effective acne-clearing serums, while COSRX offers soothing formulas and gentle options.

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.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play