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COSRX vs Biore

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

COSRX and Biore are renowned Asian skincare brands that offer reliable daily solutions. COSRX is a Korean brand known for its targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the Japanese brand Biore is globally loved for sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers. The former suits acne-prone and oily skin best with specialized blemish care, whereas the latter particularly benefits sensitive skin and complexions with dark spots through gentle formulations. They ultimately differ in their foundational ingredients and specific skin priorities, giving both brands distinct roles in modern routines.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.

biore.comkao.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Biore products

People Say

COSRXBiore
  • Acne and Pore Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Keeps shine away — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing 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)”
    • “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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 like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
  • Deep Cleansing and Oil Control Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “No greasy film, leaves skin fresh, rinses easily. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “removes every trace of oil — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
  • Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Drying and Stripping Effects Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “Made my skin peel — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “Can feel drying, skin feels tight after use. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
  • Medicinal and Strong Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like tea tree/medicinal — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “too dewy for oily skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Too liquidy, thin consistency, messy application. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”

COSRX vs Biore routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Biore routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs Biore routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Biore: which is better?

COSRX is the better choice for most shoppers on this page because it offers superior routine fits for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin while providing lightweight absorption and deep hydration. Biore matches COSRX in routine fit for several other skin types, but the products on this page lean heavily toward cleansing and makeup removal.

What is the difference between COSRX and Biore?

COSRX is a South Korean skincare brand focused primarily on acne-prone, oily acne-prone, and oily skin with a wide variety of lightweight and deeply hydrating products, whereas Biore is a Japanese brand founded earlier that centers its routines on sensitive skin, mature skin, and dark spots. The products on this page for COSRX feature many fragrance-free options like snail mucin essences and niacinamide serums, while Biore offers specialized items such as pore strips and oil cleansers that all list no fragrance in their ingredients.

COSRX or Biore for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Biore achieve a High routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for COSRX offer high to superior moisturization with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which helps provide deep hydration.

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

COSRX or Biore: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is generally better for cleansers on this page, as its cleanser options like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieve a Superior fit for sensitive, acne-prone, dry, and dry sensitive skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Biore?

The provided page facts do not mention the prices of the products, so it is not possible to determine whether COSRX or Biore is more affordable.

Which brand has been around longer, COSRX or Biore?

Biore has been around longer than COSRX, having been founded in Japan in 1980 compared to COSRX's founding in South Korea in 2013.

COSRX or Biore for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Biore are a High fit for oily skin. Lovi rates COSRX as a High fit for oily skin based on its brand-focused routines, while Biore also achieves a High fit level for oily skin.

COSRX or Biore: which sunscreen is better?

For sunscreens, COSRX provides products on this page that generally achieve a higher Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, while Biore offers options that tend to fit sensitive skin well.

COSRX or Biore for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Biore achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, offering gentle formulations without fragrance across their featured products. Reviewers often mention COSRX for being gentle and non-irritating, while Biore features a cleansing oil that achieves a High Lovi fit specifically for sensitive skin.

COSRX or Biore for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin because Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior, compared to High for Biore. The products on this page help provide effective acne control and clearing while remaining gentle.

COSRX or Biore for oily acne-prone skin?

For oily acne-prone skin, COSRX fits better with a Superior routine level compared to Biore's High. The products on this page help control acne, while hyaluronic acid helps with skin hydration.

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

COSRX or Biore for mature skin?

Both COSRX and Biore are a good choice for mature skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High for this skin type. COSRX helps with skin texture and provides deep hydration, while Biore offers deep cleansing and oil control products on this page.

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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