# Kose skincare

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/kose

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Ireland.

Kose is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by KOSÉ Holdings Corporation.

[en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kos%C3%A9)

Kose is beloved for its thoughtful makeup removers and nourishing moisturizers, crafted with meticulously balanced formulas. Its products suit dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin best. For specific concerns, the standout choices include the Sekkisei Emulsion for acne-prone skin, the Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil for skin with dark spots, and the Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil for mature skin. Users can rely on these gentle offerings to cleanse and hydrate with remarkable ease.

This page covers some of the most popular Kose products; for the whole Kose range, with a fit score for every product, [use the Lovi app](https://app.pora.ai/vqqJ/j1xj2b6o?af_sub2=brand&af_sub3=selection_note&af_sub4=pgb1f85b9498).

### Other Kose products

#### Other products

- [Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/p/kose/softymo-speedy-cleansing-oil/for/sensitive-skin) — High fit — [€21.38 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ie/dp/B0CPJQW5W6?tag=lovi-care-web-product02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/p/kose/softymo-deep-cleansing-oil/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [€14.16 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ie/dp/B000V2FB88?tag=lovi-care-web-product02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Sekkisei Emulsion](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/p/kose/sekkisei-emulsion/for/dark-spots) — Average fit

## People Say

★4.5

Overall rating based on 20.2k+ reviews

Reviewers most often praise Kose for effective makeup removal, deep hydration, and gentle cleansing. The most common complaints are temporary blurry vision and skin dryness.

### Highlights

- Effective, clean-rinsing makeup removers Mostly Mentioned “Emulsifies immediately — Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil” “Melts foundation instantly — Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil” “melts waterproof mascara — Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil”
- Drying sensation and residue Mostly Mentioned “Left my skin tight — Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil” “ oily film — Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil” “Leaves a sticky and oily feeling — Sekkisei Emulsion”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, yesstyle.com, reddit.com, iherb.com, stylevana.com, and more

## Questions and answers

### Is Kose worth it?

Kose is worth it because Lovi rates the Kose-focused routines Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin. Reviewers mostly mention that the makeup removers are effective and clean-rinsing, while the Kose products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

### What are Kose's best products?

Kose's best products are the Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil for mature and dry skin, and the Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil for sensitive and dry skin, both rated High by Lovi for those skin types.

### Which Kose moisturizer is best for dry skin?

Sekkisei Emulsion is the moisturiser for dry skin on this page, and Lovi rates it Average for dry skin.

### Does Kose cause breakouts?

Kose is unlikely to cause breakouts, as the Kose products on this page are generally well-tolerated by acne-prone skin. Lovi rates the Kose-focused routine Superior for acne-prone skin.

### Is Kose fragrance-free?

Yes, the Kose products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients. Reviewers note that these cleansers rinse clean, though some experience a drying sensation.

### What are the key ingredients in Kose products?

Kose formulations on this page utilize ingredients such as [rice bran oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/rice-bran), [tocopherol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/vitamin-e), squalane, and [glycerin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/glycerin) to help nourish and hydrate the skin. Reviewers note that the brand's makeup removers are effective and clean-rinsing.

[Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2011](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21952107/) [Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31975502/)

### How do I build a Kose skincare routine?

To build a Kose skincare routine, start by cleansing with either the Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil or the Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil to remove makeup, then follow with the Sekkisei Emulsion to moisturize. Lovi rates the Kose-focused routine Superior for dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, combination skin, and acne-prone skin.

### Where can I buy Kose, and how much does it cost?

Kose can be purchased at stores in Ireland, with prices ranging from €14.16 to €21.38, and most products falling between those amounts.

### What are good alternatives to Kose?

Good alternatives to Kose include Biore, Hada Labo, Shiseido, SK-II, Shiseido Senka, and DHC, which all have dedicated pages on Lovi. Lovi rates the Kose-focused routine Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin, while the Biore-focused routine is rated High for those same skin types.

### Kose vs Biore: which is better?

Kose is better for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin because Lovi rates the Kose-focused routine as Superior for these skin types, compared to High for Biore.

### Who owns Kose, and where is it from?

Kose is a Japanese brand founded in 1946, owned by KOSÉ Holdings Corporation.

[en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kos%C3%A9)

### Is Kose cruelty-free?

PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list Kose as cruelty-free.

## Research behind Kose's key ingredients

- [Formation and stability of oil-in-water nanoemulsions containing rice bran oil: in vitro and in vivo assessments](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21952107/) Rice bran oil · Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2011
- [Anti-aging and brightening effects of a topical treatment containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract: A split-face, randomized controlled trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31975502/) Tocopherol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
- [Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33037252/) Squalane · Scientific Reports, 2020
- [Continuous topical administration of a petrolatum formulation by a novel disposable diaper. 2. Effect on skin condition](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10828633/) Oil · Dermatology, 2000
- [The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28860834/) Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- [The Herbal Bitter Drug Gentiana lutea Modulates Lipid Synthesis in Human Keratinocytes In Vitro and In Vivo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28829355/) Gentiana lutea extract · International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017
- [High molecular compounds (polysaccharides and proanthocyanidins) from Hamamelis virginiana bark: influence on human skin keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and influence on irritated skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11684194/) Hammamelis extract · Phytochemistry, 2001
- [Clay jojoba oil facial mask for lesioned skin and mild acne--results of a prospective, observational pilot study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22585103/) Jojoba seed oil · Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012
- [Nanogel Containing Gamma-Oryzanol-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers and TiO2/MBBT: A Synergistic Nanotechnological Approach of Potent Natural Antioxidants and Nanosized UV Filters for Skin Protection](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37242453/) Rice bran oil · Pharmaceuticals, 2023
- [Topical application of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis L.) wax enhances the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid and reduces inflammation in the ex-vivo human skin organ culture model](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38344180/) Jojoba seed oil · Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024
- [Squalane as a Promising Agent Protecting UV-Induced Inhibition of Collagen Biosynthesis and Wound Healing in Human Dermal Fibroblast](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40363772/) Squalane · Molecules, 2025
- [Comparative measurement of hydration effects of herbal moisturizers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21808557/) Wheat germ oil · Pharmacognosy Research, 2010
- [Combined effects of glycerol and petrolatum in an emollient cream: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers with dry skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31532576/) Oil · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
- [Influence of vitamin E acetate on stratum corneum hydration](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9706379/) Tocopheryl acetate · Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
- [Novel petrolatum-based ointment that is highly moisturizing and has superior usability with increased adherence in patients with facial dry skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31990110/) Oil · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
- [In vitro, ex vivo and clinical approaches to evaluate the potential effect of Gentiana lutea extract on skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37365865/) Gentiana lutea extract · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023
- [A Double-Blind, 12-Week Study to Evaluate the Antiaging Efficacy of a Cream Containing the NFκB Inhibitor 4-Hexyl-1, 3-Phenylenediol and Ascorbic Acid-2 Glucoside in Adult Females](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27272084/) L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
- [Safety assessment on comedogenicity of dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate in Asian subjects: A double-blind randomized controlled trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34471722/) Tocopheryl acetate · Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

## Similar brands

- Japanese skincare: [Biore](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/biore)
- Japanese skincare: [Hada Labo](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/hada-labo)
- Japanese skincare: [Shiseido](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/shiseido)
- Japanese skincare: [SK-II](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/sk-ii)
- Japanese skincare: [Shiseido Senka](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/shiseido-senka)
- Japanese skincare: [DHC](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/dhc)
- Japanese skincare: [Pair](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/pair)
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- Japanese skincare: [FANCL](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/fancl)
- Japanese skincare: [Shu Uemura](https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/shu-uemura)

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## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi rates every product from its full ingredient list with brand-independent rules its 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. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind these ratings: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/brands/kose
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/brands/kose
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/brands/kose (this page)
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/brands/kose
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/brands/kose
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/brands/kose
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/brands/kose
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/brands/kose
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/brands/kose
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/brands/kose
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/brands/kose
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/brands/kose
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/brands/kose
