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COSRX vs Shiseido

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

COSRX and Shiseido are a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872, respectively. COSRX 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, while the brand is beloved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, serums, and more formulated with key ingredients like glycerin to suit sensitive skin and mature skin best. Both offer standout choices for particular concerns, but they differ in their foundational origins, specific ingredient combinations, and targeted skin type benefits.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Shiseido products

People Say

COSRXShiseido
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Skin texture and smoothness improvement Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “absorbs quickly — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Mostly MentionedOften 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)”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
  • Effective acne and pore 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”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • Soothing and calming effect Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “no stinging — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “No irritation — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Often MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • High price and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Strong scent or fragrance issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like tea tree/medicinal — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Packaging and bottle issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “heavy to travel — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “Heavy bottle but plastic pump, cannot see remaining product, straw too short to get last drops. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “heavy jar, waste of plastic, faulty pump (on dispenser versions) — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Shiseido: which is better?

Both COSRX and Shiseido offer great options, but COSRX is a better fit for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin, while Shiseido excels in deep hydration and luxury textures. For dry skin, Lovi rates COSRX as High and Shiseido as Average.

What is the difference between COSRX and Shiseido?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 that focuses on gentle, lightweight formulations with superior fit for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin, featuring mostly fragrance-free products. In contrast, Shiseido is a historic Japanese brand founded in 1872 that emphasizes luxurious textures and deep hydration for mature skin and skin with dark spots, though many of its products contain fragrance and carry a high price point.

COSRX or Shiseido for dry skin?

COSRX has a High routine fit for dry skin, while Shiseido has an Average fit on this page.

COSRX or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

COSRX offers cleansers that are generally gentler, whereas Shiseido provides options known for deep cleansing and luxurious textures.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Shiseido?

Shiseido is associated with high price and value concerns among reviewers, making COSRX generally more affordable.

Between COSRX and Shiseido, which brand is better for dealing with skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Shiseido offer a High routine fit for skin with dark spots. For targeted treatments, niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and is a key ingredient featured across COSRX products.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do COSRX and Shiseido compare when it comes to fragrance and scent issues?

COSRX tends to do better on scent issues, as 37 of the 38 products on its page list no fragrance, whereas Shiseido has fragrance in most of its products on the page. Reviewers note that strong fragrance is a frequent issue for Shiseido, while an unpleasant scent is only sometimes noted for COSRX.

Which brand performs better for mature skin in terms of routine fit?

Both COSRX and Shiseido provide a High routine fit for mature skin. Reviewers note that Shiseido features firming and line-reducing moisturizers, while COSRX offers products that help improve skin texture.

COSRX or Shiseido for oily skin?

COSRX is better suited for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Shiseido's High fit on this page. COSRX also performs better for acne and pore control, providing lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Shiseido offer moisturizers that help deliver deep hydration, but COSRX is a better fit for oily and acne-prone skin while Shiseido leans toward mature skin. COSRX features lightweight absorption and uses key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, whereas Shiseido is known for luxurious textures and deep moisturization.

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

COSRX or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

COSRX is the better choice for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior compared to High for Shiseido. COSRX also formulates almost all of its products on this page without fragrance, whereas most Shiseido products include it.

COSRX or Shiseido: which sunscreen is better?

Both COSRX and Shiseido offer sunscreens on this page, but COSRX is well-suited for a wider range of skin types, such as acne-prone skin where its Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen achieves a Superior fit level. Shiseido features options like the Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream which also reaches a Superior fit for mature and sensitive skin.

COSRX or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Shiseido.

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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