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Medicube vs COSRX

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

Medicube and COSRX are Korean skincare brands known for thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, toners, masks, and more. Medicube suits dry skin and oily acne-prone skin best with ingredients like niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, while the other brand suits oily skin and oily acne-prone skin best with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide. Both brands offer targeted solutions, but they differ in their specific formulations and ownership backgrounds, providing distinct approaches to balancing hydration and clarity.

Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..

medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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

Popular Medicube vs COSRX products

People Say

MedicubeCOSRX
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
    • “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
    • “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”
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing 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”
    • “Skin feels like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “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)”
    • “dries super fast — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
  • Glow and Brightening Often MentionedNot noted
    • “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
    • “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
    • “Dark spots go away faster — Medicube Deep Vita C Pad”
  • Pore Appearance and Oil Control Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “helps with whiteheads — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “whisking away that excess shine — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “noticed a real difference in pore visibility — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
  • Sticky and Heavy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “feels slightly sticky — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
  • General Product Inadequacy Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lifted around the nose/eyes — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
    • “didn't remove deep blackheads — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
    • “hard to wash off completely — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
  • Strong Fragrance and Scents Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
    • “smells like old lady perfume — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”

Medicube vs COSRX routines for dry skin

Buy Medicube routine · $154.28 · 91% fitBuy COSRX routine · $128.96 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medicube vs COSRX routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · $292.12 · 91% fitBuy Medicube routine · $234.94 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medicube vs COSRX routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · $268.03 · 89% fitBuy Medicube routine · $234.94 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Medicube or COSRX: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options, but COSRX is often favored for gentle formulas and soothing care, while Medicube stands out for glow and brightening. For dry skin, Lovi rates Medicube as Superior and COSRX as High, whereas for oily acne-prone skin, Lovi rates Medicube as High and COSRX as Superior. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What is the difference between Medicube and COSRX?

Medicube is a South Korean brand founded in 2016 that fits dry skin best, whereas COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 that fits oily skin and oily acne-prone skin best. Reviewers note that COSRX does better for soothing and gentle formulas, skin texture, and lightweight absorption, while Medicube does better for glow and brightening.

Medicube or COSRX for dry skin?

Medicube offers a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while COSRX provides a High routine fit for the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

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

Medicube or COSRX: which cleanser is better?

Both Medicube and COSRX offer cleansers that fit oily skin and oily acne-prone skin at a High level on Lovi. COSRX is noted for soothing and gentle formulas as well as improving skin texture, whereas Medicube provides cleansers that are well-suited for dry skin with a Superior fit.

Which is more affordable, Medicube or COSRX?

Both Medicube and COSRX are popular South Korean skincare brands, but the page facts do not provide pricing information to determine which is more affordable.

Medicube or COSRX for reducing pore appearance and controlling oil?

COSRX is the better choice for reducing pore appearance and controlling oil because reviewers note it does better for pore appearance and oil control. Lovi rates the routine fit for oily skin as Superior for COSRX and High for Medicube.

Which brand has more products that are formulated without fragrance?

Both brands offer mostly fragrance-free products on the products on this page, but COSRX has a slightly higher count with 37 out of 38 products omitting fragrance compared to Medicube's 23 out of 25.

Medicube or COSRX for achieving a radiant glow and brightening?

Medicube does better than COSRX for glow and brightening. Medicube products on this page frequently help improve radiance, and niacinamide in the formulas helps reduce skin pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Medicube or COSRX for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi finds that COSRX has a superior routine fit compared to Medicube, which has a high routine fit. Both brands offer products that help with oil control and skin texture, though COSRX is often noted for its lightweight absorption and gentle formulas.

Medicube or COSRX: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medicube and COSRX offer popular moisturizers, with Medicube standing out for deep hydration and brightening glow while COSRX is favored for lightweight absorption and soothing gentle formulas. For dry skin, Lovi rates Medicube as Superior and COSRX as High, whereas for oily skin Lovi rates Medicube as High and COSRX as Superior.

Medicube or COSRX for sensitive skin?

Both Medicube and COSRX are well-suited for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels of High for the products on this page. COSRX formulas are often noted for being gentle and non-irritating, while Medicube products help provide deep hydration and soothing care.

Medicube or COSRX for acne-prone skin?

Both Medicube and COSRX are well-suited for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates both brands with a High fit level for this skin type. COSRX products on this page often feature gentle, non-irritating formulas and effective acne control.

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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