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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 brands offering distinct approaches to everyday wellness. The Korean line, founded in 2013, features thoughtful serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks harnessing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the British brand, founded in 2009, builds its serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners around hyaluronic acid to fit dry and sensitive skin best. While both utilize proven ingredients, they differ significantly in their regional origins, foundational ownership, and specific formulation strengths for targeted complexions.

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 · 99% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Medik8: which is better?

Both brands are great, as COSRX is superior for acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin, while Medik8 is superior for dry, sensitive, dry sensitive, and combination skin. COSRX helps with acne and pore control, whereas Medik8 improves skin texture and glow.

What is the difference between COSRX and Medik8?

COSRX excels in acne and pore control, whereas Medik8 does better in improving skin texture and glow. Lovi shows that COSRX has superior fit levels for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin, while Medik8 provides superior routine fit for dry, sensitive, dry sensitive, and combination skin.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry skin?

Medik8 fits dry skin best with a Superior routine level, while COSRX offers a High fit for dry skin. Medik8 is founded in the United Kingdom and owned by L'Oreal Groupe, whereas COSRX was founded in South Korea and is owned by Amorepacific Group.

COSRX or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer great cleansers, with COSRX being a top pick for acne-prone skin and Medik8 excelling in surface radiance. For instance, the Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse has a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots, while the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser offers a Superior fit for sensitive and dry skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Medik8?

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

Between COSRX and Medik8, which brand is better for managing skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Medik8 provide a High level of routine fit for managing skin with dark spots. Reviewers indicate that Medik8 does better for improving skin texture and glow, while COSRX helps with acne and pore control at a lower price point.

How do the fragrance options compare between COSRX and Medik8 products?

COSRX and Medik8 products are similar in that almost all choices on this page are fragrance-free. Only one product from each brand includes fragrance.

Which brand performs better for acne and pore control according to review themes?

COSRX performs better for acne and pore control than Medik8 according to the review themes on this page.

COSRX or Medik8 for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 have a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that both brands help provide lightweight, fast-absorbing hydration.

COSRX or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX being a better fit for oily and acne-prone skin, while Medik8 provides superior hydration and plumping for dry skin. The products on this page help improve skin texture and moisture levels.

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

COSRX or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while COSRX offers a High fit. Medik8 helps deliver deep hydration and a brighter glow, whereas COSRX is noted for gentle, non-irritating care with ingredients like snail mucin and panthenol.

COSRX or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for Medik8. Review themes also show that COSRX does better for acne and pore control.

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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