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COSRX vs SK-II

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

COSRX and SK-II are prominent Asian skincare brands that offer expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more. The Korean brand is dearly loved for thoughtfully incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone skin and oily skin best, while the Japanese brand is cherished for anchoring its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks in its signature ingredient, pitera, to suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. Through regular application, the formulations from both names address specific concerns such as acne, dark spots, and aging by significantly increasing skin hydration, improving barrier function, and reducing pore area, roughness, and redness.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular COSRX vs SK-II products

People Say

COSRXSK-II
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization 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”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness 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 soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Radiance and glow enhancement Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Effective acne and oil 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”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Exorbitant and high price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • No visible or slow results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “didn't do anything — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

COSRX vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or SK-II: which is better?

COSRX is better for deep hydration, acne control, and gentle formulas, while SK-II does better with radiance and glow enhancement. Lovi rates COSRX as having a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin, whereas SK-II achieves a Superior fit for those specific skin types as well.

What is the difference between COSRX and SK-II?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980. COSRX focuses on ingredients like snail mucin and niacinamide, and the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Meanwhile, SK-II relies on Pitera as a key ingredient, and the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for dry and dry sensitive skin.

COSRX or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, COSRX has a High Lovi routine fit while SK-II has a Superior fit on this page. Reviewers note that COSRX does better for deep hydration and moisturization, whereas SK-II can sometimes be drying or insufficient for dry skin.

COSRX or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for deep hydration and moisturization, whereas SK-II achieves an equal routine fit for dry skin with a Superior level according to Lovi. COSRX offers moisturizers like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence which helps with dry skin, while SK-II features the Facial Treatment Essence which helps improve skin radiance.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or SK-II?

SK-II is generally more expensive, whereas reviewers note a high price point as a negative for COSRX as well.

How do COSRX and SK-II compare for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates COSRX as High and SK-II as Superior. The products on this page from COSRX provide deep hydration and moisturization better than SK-II, while review themes note that SK-II can sometimes be drying or insufficient for dry skin.

Which brand has better options for addressing skin with dark spots?

COSRX and SK-II offer similar performance for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates both brands at a High level for this skin concern. COSRX features multiple targeted serums containing niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding origins and corporate ownership of COSRX and SK-II differ?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea and is owned by Amorepacific Group, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

COSRX or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates both COSRX and SK-II as having a Superior routine fit level. COSRX features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide and delivers effective acne and oil control.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi rates COSRX as having Superior fit levels while SK-II achieves High fit levels across the products on this page.

COSRX or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and SK-II achieve a Superior fit for acne-prone skin on Lovi. COSRX provides targeted acne control with dedicated products like the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, while SK-II features options such as the Genoptics Ultraura Essence.

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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