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COSRX vs Olay

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

COSRX and Olay are popular skincare lines offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and eye products. COSRX features hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to best suit oily and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Olay enriches its formulas with niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive and acne-prone skin. While both brands share a focus on hydration and barrier function, they differ in their primary targets and specialized formulations.

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

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

Popular COSRX vs Olay products

People Say

COSRXOlay
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Skin texture and smoothness improvement Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Gentle, non-stripping, and non-irritating formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Acne, blackhead, and oil control Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Radiance and brightening effects Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Packaging issues and sizing concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Slow, no, or ineffective results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “no visible difference — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Unpleasant texture and heavy residue Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

COSRX vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · $128.96 · 87% fitBuy Olay routine · $154.40 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · $292.12 · 91% fitBuy Olay routine · $296.19 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · $268.03 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · $286.61 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Olay: which is better?

Both COSRX and Olay perform well, but COSRX is superior for oily and oily acne-prone skin while Olay offers deeper hydration. For the products on this page, COSRX also tends to be more gentle and non-irritating.

What is the difference between COSRX and Olay?

COSRX excels in acne, blackhead, and oil control along with gentle formulas, while Olay delivers superior deep hydration, radiance, and lightweight absorption. Both brands offer equal routine fit levels across most skin types, though COSRX provides a superior fit for oily and oily acne-prone skin.

COSRX or Olay for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Olay achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. COSRX helps with gentle, non-stripping hydration, while Olay helps with intense moisture.

COSRX or Olay: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne control and gentle cleansing, as shown on this page where its cleansers like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieve Superior fits for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Olay cleansers on this page generally offer lower fit levels for those specific skin concerns.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Olay?

The provided page and study facts do not contain pricing information to determine whether COSRX or Olay is more affordable.

Between COSRX and Olay, which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin?

COSRX performs better for oily acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Olay's High level. The products on this page for COSRX specialize in acne, blackhead, and oil control.

How do the fragrance options compare between COSRX and Olay skincare products?

COSRX has fragrance in 1 of the 38 products on this page, while Olay includes fragrance in 1 of its 27 products.

Which brand is better for acne, blackhead, and oil control according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, COSRX does better for acne, blackhead, and oil control than Olay.

COSRX or Olay for oily skin?

COSRX is better for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to Olay's High level.

COSRX or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX achieving a Superior routine fit for oily and oily acne-prone skin and Olay providing intense hydration and anti-aging benefits like niacinamide and peptides.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Olay achieve a High Lovi routine fit level for sensitive skin. COSRX products on this page help provide a gentle, non-stripping, and non-irritating formula.

COSRX or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer sunscreens with High Lovi fit levels across most skin types on this page. COSRX features options like the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen and Aloe Soothing Sun Cream, while Olay provides products such as the Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25.

COSRX or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Olay are great options for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High. COSRX features specific products like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence which achieves a Superior fit for 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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