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COSRX vs SK-II

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

COSRX and SK-II are beloved Asian beauty brands that offer thoughtful serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks. The Korean brand features hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and sensitive skin, while the Japanese brand centers on its signature ingredient, pitera, to suit dry and acne-prone skin. Both brands differ in their founding eras and primary formulations, providing distinct solutions for various skincare needs.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular COSRX vs SK-II products

People Say

COSRXSK-II
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization 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”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedOften 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 soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Radiance and glow enhancement Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Effective acne and oil 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”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Exorbitant and high price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • No visible or slow results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “didn't do anything — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

COSRX vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or SK-II: which is better?

COSRX is better for hydration and acne control, while SK-II enhances radiance and glow. Lovi rates COSRX as having a Superior routine fit for sensitive, acne-prone, oily, and oily acne-prone skin types.

What is the difference between COSRX and SK-II?

COSRX tends to offer better deep hydration and acne control, whereas SK-II stands out for radiance and glow enhancement. Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive and acne-prone skin as Superior for COSRX and High for SK-II.

COSRX or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, COSRX achieves a High routine fit level while SK-II reaches a Superior fit level. Niacinamide helps improve skin quality and hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for deep hydration and moisturization, whereas SK-II offers a superior routine fit for dry skin overall.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or SK-II?

COSRX is more affordable than SK-II, as review themes note that COSRX has an exorbitant and high price point disadvantage while SK-II positions itself at a much higher luxury tier.

COSRX or SK-II for oily skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily skin, whereas SK-II has a High fit. Review themes show that COSRX does better for effective acne and oil control.

COSRX or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, COSRX is a better fit with a Superior routine fit level compared to SK-II's High level. The products on this page help provide gentle and non-stripping care that suits sensitive complexions.

COSRX or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on Lovi, whereas SK-II has a High routine fit.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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