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COSRX vs Simple

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

COSRX and Simple are distinct skincare lines originating from South Korea and Britain, respectively. COSRX offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and sensitive skin, whereas Simple provides gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners with niacinamide and glycerin tailored for oily and acne-prone skin. Both brands utilize key ingredients that improve skin hydration and barrier function, reduce hyperpigmentation, and address aging signs. While the Korean line is beloved for balancing moisture and soothing irritation with items like snail mucin and propolis formulations, the British brand is deeply loved for straightforward, soothing products including micellar waters and kind-to-skin toners.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular COSRX vs Simple products

People Say

COSRXSimple
  • Soothing and Gentle Care Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Texture and Glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Value and Convenience Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “No need to rinse... perfect for traveling or lazy nights. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “fine mist spray — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
  • 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”
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Drying or Insufficient Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “need to apply multiple layers — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Unpleasant Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “feels like a film — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
  • Formulation and Performance Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “weird smell — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “pH is 9 — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “runs with sweat — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Packaging and Size Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Simple: which is better?

COSRX outperforms Simple on this page, achieving a Superior routine fit for oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and oily acne-prone skin compared to Simple's High fit. COSRX also does better for texture and glow as well as acne and pore control, while Simple is noted for value and convenience.

What is the difference between COSRX and Simple?

COSRX is generally better for acne and pore control as well as texture and glow, while Simple focuses more on soothing and gentle care as well as value and convenience. COSRX achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Simple reaches a High fit level for those skin types.

COSRX or Simple for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit for dry skin, making them equally good options for this skin type.

COSRX or Simple: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for cleansers on the products on this page, as it offers targeted options like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser with Superior fit levels for sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin. In contrast, Simple offers the Refreshing Facial Wash, which has lower fit levels for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Simple?

Simple offers more value-friendly options on the products on this page, as reviewers note it provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and better value and convenience.

Between COSRX and Simple, which brand offers better soothing and gentle care?

Simple does better for soothing and gentle care.

How do the fragrance-free options compare between COSRX and Simple skincare products?

Both brands offer largely fragrance-free options, as every product on the Simple page and 37 of the 38 products on the COSRX page list no fragrance. However, Simple focuses specifically on gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers and value-friendly moisturizers, while COSRX delivers superior texture, glow, and acne control.

Which brand performs better for acne and pore control when comparing COSRX and Simple?

COSRX performs better for acne and pore control on the products on this page. Lovi rates COSRX as having a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while Simple achieves a High fit level for this skin type.

COSRX or Simple for oily skin?

COSRX is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to Simple's High. The products on this page help control oil and clear acne with ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers moisturizers that reach a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin, while Simple products on this page reach an Average fit level for dry skin. COSRX moisturizers such as Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence help deliver deep hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

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

COSRX or Simple for sensitive skin?

COSRX is a better fit for sensitive skin, earning a Superior rating from Lovi compared to Simple's High. COSRX also excels specifically in soothing and gentle care.

COSRX or Simple for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates COSRX as Superior and Simple as High. COSRX features targeted treatments like the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, which help manage blemishes effectively.

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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