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COSRX vs The INKEY List

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

COSRX and The INKEY List are well-regarded skincare lines that offer specialized serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more. COSRX features hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone and sensitive skin, whereas the British brand utilizes glycerin to fit sensitive and combination skin best. While both cater to reactive complexions, the first relies on targeted K-beauty formulations, and the second focuses on straightforward, ingredient-led solutions.

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

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The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

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

Popular COSRX vs The INKEY List products

People Say

COSRXThe INKEY List
  • 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”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
  • 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”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
  • Texture improvement and smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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 like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Often 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”
    • “Never tight or stripped — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
  • Value for money Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “huge bottle — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
  • Acne and pore control Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
  • Packaging issues and small size Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “tube cracked on the side — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
  • Unpleasant texture and sticky finish 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”
    • “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Leaves a greasy film on face after washing — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or The INKEY List: which is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates its fit as Superior compared to High for The INKEY List. Both brands offer equal routine fit levels for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin types.

What is the difference between COSRX and The INKEY List?

COSRX has a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin, whereas The INKEY List has a High fit level for those skin types, and COSRX does better for texture improvement and acne control while The INKEY List is better for value for money.

COSRX or The INKEY List for dry skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List fit dry skin at a High level, making them equally suitable options for this skin type. COSRX features a Superior fit for dry skin using products like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, while The INKEY List offers a Superior fit with items such as the Polyglutamic Acid Serum.

COSRX or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?

COSRX has a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive and acne-prone skin with its Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, while The INKEY List has a High Lovi fit level for these skin types with its Salicylic Acid Cleanser. COSRX performs better for gentle and non-stripping formulas, whereas The INKEY List offers greater value for money.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or The INKEY List?

The INKEY List offers better value for money than COSRX for both its moisturizers and serums. Reviewers on the products on this page frequently mention affordability as a key strength for The INKEY List.

Which brand has better fragrance-free options?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List offer extensive fragrance-free options, with every product on The INKEY List page listing no fragrance and 37 of 38 COSRX products listing no fragrance.

COSRX or The INKEY List for oily skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List are well suited for oily skin, offering a High routine fit on Lovi. COSRX features targeted treatments like the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, which is rated Superior for oily acne-prone skin.

COSRX or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List offer moisturizers with High Lovi fit levels for dry skin. COSRX features popular options like the Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream, while The INKEY List provides budget-friendly alternatives such as the Omega Water Cream.

COSRX or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List fit sensitive skin at a Superior level with their brand routines, and each brand features gentle, fragrance-free products on this page.

COSRX or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, COSRX fits better with a Superior routine level compared to The INKEY List at a High level. Reviewers on the page indicate that COSRX does better for acne and pore control.

COSRX or The INKEY List for mature skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List achieve a High routine fit level for mature skin. The products on this page help improve skin texture and maintain 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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