COSRX vs Neutrogena
COSRX and Neutrogena are trusted skincare lines that offer distinct approaches to daily care. The Korean brand, founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024, is beloved for its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and oily acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the American brand, founded in 1930 and acquired by Kimberly-Clark Corporation in 2026, is thoughtfully loved for its nourishing moisturizers, protective sunscreens, gentle cleansers, refreshing toners, and more, all formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best. While both rely on core hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, COSRX expertly balances delicate moisture levels, whereas the American brand carefully respects delicate cutaneous barriers.
COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.
koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com
Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.
investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com
This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and Neutrogena products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular COSRX vs Neutrogena products
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Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
$15.88
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Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
$11.90
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The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
$17.50
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BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
$18.94
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The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum
$20.99
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Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream
$16.50
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AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
$14.97
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The Retinol 0.1 Cream
$22.00
People Say
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”
- “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
- “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
- “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
- “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
Soothing, calming, and gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
- “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
- “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
- “calms my acne prone skin — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
Improves skin texture and smoothness 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”
- “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
Effective acne, pore, and oil control Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
- “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”
- “hasn't caused a single breakout — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
Packaging, bottle size, and value concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
- “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
- “tube cracked on the side — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
- “Formula change ruined it — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
Unpleasant or sticky texture and residue Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
- “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
- “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
- “Kept sliding off my face — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
Skin irritation, burning, and allergic reactions Sometimes NotedOften 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”
- “burned my skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
- “burns my eyes terribly — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
Strong or unpleasant scent and fragrance issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
- “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
- “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
- “Scent is so off-putting — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
COSRX vs Neutrogena routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.30
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
$17.00
-
Moisturizer
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.88
-
SPF
Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
$35.80
-
Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
$19.98
-
Nourishing Mask
Advanced Snail Mucin Power Sheet Mask
Once a week
$25.00
-
Cleanser
Hydro Boost Water Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$26.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Alcohol-Free Toner
Morning
$6.34
-
Moisturizer
Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.49
-
SPF
Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen
Morning
$12.48
-
Pre-Cleanser
HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM
Evening · Once a week
$34.83
-
Serum or Treatment
Stubborn Marks PM Treatment
Evening · Once a week
$19.35
-
Nourishing Mask
Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask
Once a week
$2.97
Buy COSRX routine · $128.96 · 87% fit
Buy Neutrogena routine · $121.45 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
COSRX vs Neutrogena routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning · Once a week
$17.00
-
Moisturizer
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
$35.80
-
Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
$19.98
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Evening
$14.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Two In One Poreless Power Liquid
Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
-
Cleanser
Hydro Boost Water Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$26.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Alcohol-Free Toner
Morning · Once a week
$6.34
-
Moisturizer
Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$14.99
-
SPF
Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen
Morning
$12.48
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
$9.97
-
Cleansing Toner
Blackhead Eliminating Cleansing Toner
Evening
$25.36
-
Serum or Treatment
Stubborn Marks PM Treatment
Evening · Once a week
$19.35
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy COSRX routine · $292.12 · 91% fit
Buy Neutrogena routine · $263.48 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
COSRX vs Neutrogena routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.30
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning · Once a week
$17.00
-
Moisturizer
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
$35.80
-
Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
$19.98
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Evening
$14.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Two In One Poreless Power Liquid
Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Hydro Boost Water Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$26.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Alcohol-Free Toner
Morning · Once a week
$6.34
-
Moisturizer
Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.49
-
SPF
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen
Morning
$9.88
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
$9.97
-
Cleansing Toner
Blackhead Eliminating Cleansing Toner
Evening
$25.36
-
Serum or Treatment
Stubborn Marks PM Treatment
Evening · Once a week
$19.35
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
Buy COSRX routine · $268.03 · 89% fit
Buy Neutrogena routine · $243.38 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
COSRX or Neutrogena: which is better?
COSRX is better for oily and acne-prone routines, where Lovi rates its fit as superior compared to Neutrogena's average and high levels. Both brands perform equally well for dry, combination, sensitive, mature, and dark spot skin routines.
What is the difference between COSRX and Neutrogena?
COSRX excels in oily and oily acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi fit, whereas Neutrogena reaches an Average fit for those skin types. Both brands achieve equal High fit levels across dry, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, and dark spot skin types. Additionally, COSRX features key ingredients like snail mucin and Centella asiatica, while Neutrogena heavily utilizes retinol and hyaluronic acid.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
COSRX or Neutrogena for dry skin?
Both COSRX and Neutrogena offer a High routine fit for dry skin, making either brand a solid choice. COSRX features a range rich in snail mucin and hyaluronic acid that helps deliver deep moisturization, while Neutrogena provides hydrating hyaluronic acid formulations that support skin moisture retention.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
COSRX or Neutrogena: which cleanser is better?
COSRX and Neutrogena both offer cleansers with high fit levels for various skin types on the products on this page, though COSRX is better suited for oily and oily acne-prone skin while Neutrogena often features lightweight and fast-absorbing textures. The products on this page help provide effective cleansing options depending on individual skin needs.
Which is more affordable, COSRX or Neutrogena?
The products on this page do not provide pricing information, so it is not possible to determine whether COSRX or Neutrogena is more affordable based on the available facts.
COSRX or Neutrogena: which brand has more fragrance-free products?
COSRX has more fragrance-free products on this page than Neutrogena, with 37 out of 38 products listing no fragrance compared to Neutrogena's 35 out of 39.
COSRX or Neutrogena: which brand is better for dry sensitive skin?
COSRX is better for dry sensitive skin because Lovi rates its routine fit as High, compared to Average for Neutrogena. The products on this page help provide deep hydration and gentle care.
COSRX or Neutrogena: which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin?
COSRX performs better for oily acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Neutrogena's High fit level. The products on this page help provide effective acne control and clearing.
COSRX or Neutrogena for oily skin?
COSRX is the better choice for oily skin, offering a Superior Lovi fit compared to Neutrogena's Average fit for this skin type.
COSRX or Neutrogena: which moisturizer is better?
COSRX is better for oily and oily acne-prone skin with Superior routine fits, while both brands offer High fit levels for dry, combination, and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Neutrogena moisturizers provide lightweight and fast-absorbing textures, whereas COSRX products help improve skin texture and control acne.
COSRX or Neutrogena for sensitive skin?
Both COSRX and Neutrogena offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. The products on this page for both brands help provide gentle hydration, while Niacinamide may help soothe irritation.
COSRX or Neutrogena: which sunscreen is better?
Both COSRX and Neutrogena offer highly rated sunscreen options on this page for various skin types. COSRX has products like the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen fitting acne-prone skin at a Superior level, while Neutrogena features sunscreens such as Sport Face Sunscreen and Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen achieving Superior fit levels for combination, oily, and sensitive skin.
COSRX or Neutrogena for acne-prone skin?
Both COSRX and Neutrogena offer a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on this page, but COSRX is often favored for its targeted acne control and clearing. Both brands feature effective ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide across their products.
Research behind their key ingredients
Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Bifidobacterium longum lysate, a new ingredient for reactive skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Phyllanthus emblica L. (amla) branch: A safe and effective ingredient against skin aging
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Anti-inflammatory activity of parthenolide-depleted Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
Evaluation of moisturizing and irritation potential of sacha inchi oil
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Solid lipid nanoparticles bearing oxybenzone: in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Skin moisturization by hydrogenated polyisobutene--quantitative and visual evaluation
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Natural Moisturizing Factor-Enriched Formulations Compared to a Ceramide-Based Cream
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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