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COSRX vs Medik8

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

COSRX and Medik8 are distinct skincare brands, with the former being a Korean line founded in 2013 and the latter a British line founded in 2009. The first brand is dearly loved for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone skin and oily skin best. Meanwhile, the second brand offers serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid to fit dry skin and sensitive skin best. Both brands differ in their formulations and targeted ingredients, offering tailored daily application that works to lengthen toxin effects and increase skin hydration.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Medik8 products

People Say

COSRXMedik8
  • Soothing, calming and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Improves skin texture and glow Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Deep hydration and plumping Mostly MentionedOften 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”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Additional beneficial features Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “removes all the oil — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “softened crow's feet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
  • 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”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • Slow or no visible results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Medik8: which is better?

COSRX is better suited for acne-prone and oily skin, whereas Medik8 is superior for dry, mature, and dry sensitive skin. Both brands offer equal fit levels for sensitive skin and skin with dark spots.

What is the difference between COSRX and Medik8?

COSRX is a South Korean brand focused best on acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin, while Medik8 originates from the United Kingdom and fits dry, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin best. COSRX products on this page offer better acne and pore control, whereas Medik8 does better with improving skin texture and glow and has a higher price point.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry skin?

For dry skin, Medik8 has a Superior routine fit while COSRX has a High routine fit. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and plumping for both brands.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer effective cleansers, with COSRX being a better fit for acne-prone skin and Medik8 providing superior results for dry or sensitive skin. The products on this page help cleanse while supporting various skin types through gentle formulations.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX is more affordable, as Medik8 products often have a high price point.

COSRX or Medik8 for oily skin?

COSRX is a superior choice for oily skin, offering targeted oil control with products like the Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion and Two In One Poreless Power Liquid, while Medik8 provides a high level of fit. Both brands help deliver lightweight absorption and deep hydration.

COSRX or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX being a better fit for oily skin and Medik8 performing exceptionally well for dry skin.

COSRX or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin. COSRX fits best for sensitive skin, while Medik8 fits best for dry sensitive skin.

COSRX or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior compared to Medik8's High level. The products on this page help provide effective acne control and clearing.

COSRX or Medik8 for mature skin?

For mature skin, Medik8 fits best with a Superior routine level, while COSRX offers a High routine level. Both brands include retinol products that help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

COSRX or Medik8 for dry sensitive skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for dry sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit from COSRX on this page. Both brands feature deep hydration and plumping, while Medik8 is also known for improving skin texture and glow.

COSRX or Medik8 for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Medik8 achieve a High fit level for skin with dark spots. COSRX features key ingredients like niacinamide, which may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

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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