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COSRX vs Simple

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

COSRX and Simple are a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and a British skincare brand founded in 1960, respectively. Both brands suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best, while COSRX is dearly loved for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more that thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, and Simple is deeply loved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners that incorporate niacinamide and glycerin. Through daily application, the Korean brand's key ingredients work to lengthen toxin duration and reduce cell damage, significantly increase skin hydration and barrier function, and significantly decrease hyperpigmentation and reduce skin aging, whereas the British brand's key ingredients work harmoniously, as niacinamide reduces hyperpigmentation and improves aging signs, while glycerin improves skin hydration and barrier function.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular COSRX vs Simple products

People Say

COSRXSimple
  • Soothing and Gentle Care Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Texture and Glow 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)”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture 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”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Value and Convenience Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “No need to rinse... perfect for traveling or lazy nights. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “fine mist spray — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
  • 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”
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Drying or Insufficient Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “need to apply multiple layers — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Unpleasant Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “feels like a film — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
  • Formulation and Performance Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “weird smell — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “pH is 9 — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “runs with sweat — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Packaging and Size Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Simple: which is better?

COSRX outperforms Simple for acne and pore control, texture, and glow, while Simple is better for value and convenience. Both brands offer equal hydration and moisture, and Lovi rates both brands High for dry skin, combination skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Simple?

COSRX excels in texture and glow, as well as acne and pore control, while Simple does better with soothing and gentle care and offers more value and convenience. COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Simple has a High fit level for those skin types.

COSRX or Simple for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin. COSRX features key hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin across the products on this page, which helps support skin moisture.

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

COSRX or Simple: which cleanser is better?

COSRX offers a wider selection of cleansers with higher Lovi fit levels across most skin types compared to Simple. For instance, the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieves a Superior fit for dry, sensitive, acne-prone, and dry sensitive skin, whereas Simple cleansers generally show an Average fit.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Simple?

Simple does better for value and convenience on the products on this page, offering lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers alongside gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

COSRX or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates COSRX as Superior while Simple is High. The products on this page help control oil and target acne effectively, making COSRX the stronger match.

COSRX or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX has a superior fit for sensitive, acne-prone, and oily skin, while Simple offers value-friendly and lightweight moisturizers. COSRX products on this page often provide deep hydration and soothing care using ingredients like hyaluronic acid and snail mucin.

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

COSRX or Simple for sensitive skin?

Lovi rates COSRX as a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while Simple is rated High. Reviewers note that COSRX provides soothing and gentle care.

COSRX or Simple for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is a superior choice for acne-prone skin compared to Simple, offering specialized products like the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser that target breakouts effectively. Simple provides a more basic routine for acne-prone skin with an average Lovi fit level.

COSRX or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin, with reviewers noting that the products on this page help deliver gentle care. COSRX also features several specific items that achieve a Superior fit for dry sensitive skin, such as the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.

COSRX or Simple for mature skin?

Both COSRX and Simple are a High fit for mature skin. COSRX offers products on this page that help improve skin texture and moisture, while Simple provides gentle, value-friendly options for daily care.

COSRX or Simple for skin with dark spots?

COSRX is a better fit for skin with dark spots, achieving a High fit level across many of its targeted treatments compared to Simple's average ratings on this page. Ingredients like niacinamide 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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