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COSRX vs Olay

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

COSRX and Olay are popular skincare brands that offer a wide array of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and more. The Korean brand is best known for gentle formulations featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide that suit acne-prone and sensitive skin, while Olay is widely loved for nourishing products built around niacinamide and glycerin that suit sensitive and mature skin. Although both harness similar key ingredients to enhance barrier function and reduce skin aging, the first specializes in targeted solutions for reactive complexions, whereas the latter focuses on rich options for aging and dryness.

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 COSRX and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Olay products

People Say

COSRXOlay
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Skin texture and smoothness improvement Mostly MentionedMostly 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 baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Gentle, non-stripping, and non-irritating formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Acne, blackhead, and oil control Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Radiance and brightening effects Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Packaging issues and sizing concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Slow, no, or ineffective results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “no visible difference — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Unpleasant texture and heavy residue Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

COSRX vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

COSRX or Olay: which is better?

Both COSRX and Olay perform well, but COSRX is superior for acne-prone skin while Olay is superior for mature skin. Both brands provide a High routine fit for dry, oily, and combination skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Olay?

COSRX fits acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin at a Superior level and is recognized for gentle formulas and acne control, while Olay fits mature skin at a Superior level and delivers stronger hydration and radiance benefits.

COSRX or Olay for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Olay are a High fit for dry skin. Reviewers often mention that the products on this page provide deep hydration and moisturization.

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

COSRX or Olay: which cleanser is better?

COSRX offers a better cleanser for sensitive and acne-prone skin on this page, with options like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieving a Superior fit level for sensitive and acne-prone skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Olay?

The products on this page do not list pricing information, so a comparison of affordability cannot be made from the provided facts.

COSRX or Olay for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin, making them equally suitable choices. Reviewers note that COSRX excels in acne, blackhead, and oil control, while Olay performs better in lightweight and fast absorption.

COSRX or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer a range of moisturizers with high fit levels for various skin types, so the better choice depends on your specific skin needs. COSRX is well suited for acne-prone skin and sensitive skin, while Olay is tailored for mature skin and intense hydration.

COSRX or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Olay are great options for sensitive skin, as both brands achieve a Superior fit level for this skin type. COSRX helps provide a gentle, non-stripping formula, while Olay offers options like intense hydration and lightweight feel.

COSRX or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer sunscreens with High Lovi fit levels for most skin types on this page. COSRX is founded in South Korea and owned by Amorepacific Group, while Olay is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

COSRX or Olay for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for this skin type compared to Olay's High fit level, and reviewers note that COSRX provides more effective acne control and clearing.

COSRX or Olay for mature skin?

Olay is better suited for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to COSRX's High fit on this page.

COSRX or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Olay achieve a High fit level for skin with dark spots. Both brands incorporate key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Olay for dry sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Olay offer a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin. COSRX features a formula that helps maintain gentle care, while Olay products provide intense hydration.

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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