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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 beloved skincare brands offering thoughtful selections of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and more that harness key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin. The Korean brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024 suits oily skin and sensitive skin best, whereas Olay suits mature skin and acne-prone skin best. While both feature targeted treatments like specialized cleansers, eye products, and toners to address dark spots and other concerns, they differ in their specific formulations and origins.

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

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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 · 98% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Olay: which is better?

COSRX has a Superior Lovi fit for oily, sensitive, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin, while Olay has a Superior Lovi fit for mature skin. Both brands have a High Lovi fit for dry skin, combination skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Olay?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily, sensitive, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Olay has a Superior routine fit for mature skin. Reviewers find that Olay does better for deep hydration and lightweight absorption, while COSRX is better for gentle formulas and acne control.

COSRX or Olay for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Olay achieve a High fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. COSRX features a routine fit level of High, while Olay also offers a High fit level.

COSRX or Olay: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin, while Olay fits mature skin best. Both brands offer products that help improve skin texture and provide hydration.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Olay?

The products on this page do not list pricing information, so a comparison of affordability between COSRX and Olay cannot be made.

COSRX or Olay for acne, blackhead, and oil control?

COSRX does better for acne, blackhead, and oil control.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options, COSRX or Olay?

COSRX has more fragrance-free options than Olay, as 37 of its 38 products on this page list no fragrance compared to 26 of 27 for Olay.

COSRX or Olay for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX has a Superior routine fit while Olay has a High fit. COSRX features targeted acne and oil control products, such as the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion, which help manage excess sebum.

COSRX or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer moisturizers with a High fit for dry skin, though COSRX products on this page feature a Superior fit for sensitive and oily acne-prone skin while Olay features a Superior fit for mature skin. Reviewers note that Olay provides deep hydration and moisturization better, whereas COSRX is noted for being more gentle, non-stripping, and non-irritating.

COSRX or Olay for sensitive skin?

COSRX has a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, while Olay has a High fit. Reviewers often mention COSRX formulas as gentle and non-irritating.

COSRX or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer sunscreens with a High fit level for most skin types on this page. COSRX has a dedicated focus on acne-prone skin, while Olay features mature skin benefits.

COSRX or Olay for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, COSRX has a Superior routine fit, whereas Olay has a High fit level. COSRX features targeted formulations such as snail mucin and gentle exfoliants that help manage breakouts effectively.

COSRX or Olay for mature skin?

For mature skin, Lovi rates Olay as Superior and COSRX as High, making Olay the better fit for this skin type.

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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