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COSRX vs Medik8

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

COSRX and Medik8 are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to everyday wellness. The Korean line, founded in 2013, features thoughtful serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks harnessing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the British brand, founded in 2009, builds its serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners around hyaluronic acid to fit dry and sensitive skin best. While both utilize proven ingredients, they differ significantly in their regional origins, foundational ownership, and specific formulation strengths for targeted complexions.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Medik8 products

People Say

COSRXMedik8
  • Soothing, calming and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Improves skin texture and glow Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Deep hydration and plumping 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”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
  • 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”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Additional beneficial features Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “removes all the oil — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “softened crow's feet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
  • 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”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • Slow or no visible results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Medik8: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options, but COSRX is a better fit for oily and acne-prone skin, while Medik8 excels for dry and dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that COSRX is better for acne and pore control, whereas Medik8 does better for improving skin texture and glow.

What is the difference between COSRX and Medik8?

COSRX is best for acne-prone skin and oily skin, while Medik8 is best for dry skin and dry sensitive skin. Both brands offer products on this page that are gentle and provide deep hydration, but COSRX is better at acne and pore control, whereas Medik8 does better at improving skin texture and glow.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry skin?

For dry skin, Medik8 has a Superior routine fit, whereas COSRX achieves a High routine fit on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration across the products on this page.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

COSRX or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne and pore control across the products on this page, while Medik8 offers luxury texture and brightening. Lovi finds that COSRX has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin cleansers like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, whereas Medik8 also features top-rated options like Surface Radiance Cleanse.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX is more affordable, as high price point is a negative review theme for Medik8 while it is for COSRX.

COSRX or Medik8: which brand offers better acne and pore control?

COSRX offers better acne and pore control than Medik8. The products on this page for COSRX are best suited for acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin.

COSRX or Medik8 for oily skin?

COSRX is better for oily skin, as Lovi rates COSRX Superior for oily skin while Medik8 is High. Reviewers note that COSRX does better for acne and pore control, which often helps oily skin.

COSRX or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX being a better fit for oily skin and Medik8 achieving a Superior routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that COSRX helps provide lightweight absorption and effective acne control, while Medik8 products help deliver deep hydration and plumping.

COSRX or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 achieve equal and superior Lovi fit levels for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that both brands offer soothing, calming, and gentle formulations.

COSRX or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi rating COSRX as Superior and Medik8 as Superior for this skin type. COSRX products on this page help with acne and pore control, while Medik8 serums offer gentle, non-irritating formulations.

COSRX or Medik8 for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Medik8 achieve a High Lovi fit for skin with dark spots. COSRX features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation, while Medik8 provides targeted options such as Oxy-R Peptides and Super C Ferulic.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Medik8 for mature skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 have a High routine fit level for mature skin. COSRX offers options like The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum, while Medik8 features products such as CRYSTAL RETINAL 3.

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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