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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 houses that offer targeted solutions for varying complexions. The Korean brand features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks centered on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the British brand focuses on serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid. The former suits oily skin and sensitive skin best, whereas the latter fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. They differ primarily in their geographical origins, founding years, parent corporations, and distinct formulations designed to address specific skin needs.

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 · 96% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Medik8: which is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 are great choices, with COSRX offering a Superior fit for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, while Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for dry, dry sensitive, combination, and mature skin. Reviewers note that COSRX excels at acne and pore control, whereas Medik8 performs better for improving skin texture and glow.

What is the difference between COSRX and Medik8?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific, while Medik8 is a British brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe. COSRX fits best for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, whereas Medik8 fits best for dry, dry sensitive, and sensitive skin. For acne and pore control COSRX does better, while Medik8 does better for improving skin texture and glow, though Medik8 has a higher price point.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry skin?

Medik8 is a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas COSRX is High. Medik8 helps deliver deep hydration and plumping for dry skin types, though COSRX is also well known for providing deep hydration and moisturisation across the products on this page.

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

COSRX or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer effective cleansers, with COSRX being a better fit for oily and acne-prone skin, while Medik8 provides superior options for dry and sensitive skin. For instance, the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieves a Superior fit level for dry, sensitive, acne-prone, and combination skin, whereas the Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse offers a Superior fit for oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX is more affordable, whereas Medik8 has a high price point among the products on this page.

COSRX or Medik8 for oily skin?

COSRX is a better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Medik8's High level. The products on this page help provide lightweight absorption and effective acne control.

COSRX or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 offers Hydr8 B5 Intense, which has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while COSRX features multiple moisturizers like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence with a Superior fit for dry and sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and plumping across both brands.

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

COSRX or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. COSRX fits best for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types, while Medik8 is formulated best for dry, dry sensitive, and sensitive skin.

COSRX or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is superior for acne-prone skin, as the brand-focused routine achieves a Superior fit level compared to Medik8's High fit level. Furthermore, COSRX performs better for acne and pore control across the products on this page.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Medik8 has a Superior routine fit, while COSRX has a High fit. Both brands provide deep hydration and plumping, and Medik8 tends to be better for improving skin texture and glow.

COSRX or Medik8 for mature skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to COSRX's High fit level. Medik8 features specialized anti-aging ingredients like retinol that help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

COSRX or Medik8 for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Medik8 fit skin with dark spots at a High level on this page. COSRX features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation, while Medik8 provides targeted treatments like Oxy-R Peptides.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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