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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 two beloved skincare brands offering thoughtful portfolios of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks. The Korean brand COSRX utilizes hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to best suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin, while Olay relies on niacinamide and glycerin to primarily nourish mature and dry skin. Both labels differ in their ideal skin types and targeted formulations, providing distinct solutions for specific complexion concerns.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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 · 99% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Olay: which is better?

Both COSRX and Olay are great brands, with COSRX offering a Superior fit for oily acne-prone skin and Olay providing a Superior fit for mature and dry sensitive skin. Both brands make products with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which help improve skin hydration and reduce pigmentation.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between COSRX and Olay?

COSRX is best suited for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and dry skin, while Olay is ideal for mature skin, dry skin, and acne-prone skin. Olay delivers superior deep hydration and radiance, whereas COSRX excels in providing gentle, non-irritating formulas and effective acne control.

COSRX or Olay for dry skin?

Olay has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas COSRX achieves a High routine fit. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin, which is beneficial for dry skin types.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

COSRX or Olay: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne, blackheads, and oil control, while Olay is better for deep hydration. COSRX has cleansers like the Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser and the AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser that target oily and acne-prone skin, whereas Olay focuses more on hydrating and regenerating cleansers.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Olay?

This page does not provide pricing information for either COSRX or Olay, so it is not possible to determine which brand is more affordable.

COSRX or Olay for oily skin?

For oily skin, both COSRX and Olay offer a High fit level according to Lovi. COSRX has a brand-focused routine and products on this page well-suited for oil control, while Olay provides strong hydration with ingredients like niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay offers superior routine fit for mature, dry, and sensitive skin, while COSRX fits acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best. Both brands provide effective moisturizers, but Olay stands out for deep hydration.

COSRX or Olay for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both COSRX and Olay are great choices, with Lovi giving COSRX a High fit and Olay a Superior fit. COSRX helps deliver gentle and non-irritating care, whereas Olay excels in deep hydration and moisturization.

COSRX or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

For sun protection, COSRX offers the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen, which has a High fit level for most skin types including sensitive skin and acne-prone skin, while Olay offers the Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 and Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 15.

COSRX or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Olay achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin. COSRX products on this page help provide effective acne control and clearing, while Olay products on this page help improve skin texture and smoothness.

COSRX or Olay for mature skin?

Olay has a Superior fit for mature skin, whereas COSRX has a High fit. Olay features key anti-aging ingredients like peptides and retinol, which help improve skin firmness and smooth fine lines.

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

COSRX or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Olay is superior for skin with dark spots, while COSRX has a high fit. Olay features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Olay for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Olay has a Superior routine fit, while COSRX has a High fit on Lovi. Both brands help provide deep hydration through key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Topical hyaluronic acid improves skin quality and signs of aging.

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

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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