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COSRX vs Clinique

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

COSRX and Clinique are distinct skincare brands offering thoughtfully formulated products for varied complexions. The Korean brand features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to best suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, the American brand provides moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products utilizing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine for dry sensitive and oily skin. While the former brand focuses on targeted blemish solutions, the latter emphasizes comforting and balancing care.

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

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Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular COSRX vs Clinique products

People Say

COSRXClinique
  • Soothing and calming for sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • 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”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Acne and pore control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Skin feels like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “smoother skin — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Makeup base compatibility Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • Insufficient hydration or dryness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Made my skin super dry — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
  • High price and poor value Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • 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”
    • “didn't help dark circles — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “don't expect miracles overnight — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Sticky or greasy finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “feels sticky to the touch — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”

COSRX vs Clinique routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs Clinique routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Clinique: which is better?

COSRX is the better fit for most users on this page, offering Superior routines for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin alongside High routine fits for dry, sensitive, and combination skin types. Lovi rates COSRX as High or Superior across nearly all skin types, while Clinique shows more Average and lower ratings on the products on this page.

What is the difference between COSRX and Clinique?

COSRX is well-suited for acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique is more focused on dry sensitive skin and mature skin. Lovi shows that COSRX has better routine fit for dry skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots, while both brands fit oily skin and mature skin equally.

COSRX or Clinique for dry skin?

COSRX is a better fit than Clinique for dry skin. On this page, Lovi rates the COSRX routine High for dry skin, whereas the Clinique routine is rated Average.

COSRX or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for cleansers, as the products on this page achieve superior fit levels for skin types like acne-prone and sensitive skin compared to Clinique. Reviewers also note that COSRX offers gentle and non-irritating options with effective acne control.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Clinique?

Clinique has a high price point that is often mentioned by reviewers as a downside, whereas COSRX receives better marks for value even though review themes note some complaints about high price and poor value for COSRX as well.

Between COSRX and Clinique, which brand offers better deep hydration and plumping according to review themes?

According to the review themes on this page, COSRX does better than Clinique when it comes to deep hydration and plumping.

How do the fragrance profiles of COSRX and Clinique products compare across the listed pages?

Almost all products on the COSRX page list no fragrance, with the exception of the Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+. By comparison, every product on the Clinique page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for improving skin texture and smoothness based on reviewer feedback?

COSRX performs better for improving skin texture and smoothness based on reviewer feedback. Lovi rates the routine fit for acne-prone skin as Superior for COSRX and Average for Clinique.

COSRX or Clinique for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Clinique are good options for oily skin, as Lovi rates both brands at a High routine fit level. Reviewers often mention that products from both brands provide oil-controlling and lightweight, fast-absorbing benefits.

COSRX or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Clinique offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX products on this page achieving a High or Superior Lovi fit level for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Clinique moisturizers are well-regarded for lightweight hydration and makeup compatibility, though reviewers note a higher price point compared to COSRX.

COSRX or Clinique for sensitive skin?

COSRX is a better fit for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High while Clinique's routine is Average.

COSRX or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior, compared to Clinique's Average rating. COSRX also excels with specialized products like the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, which achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin.

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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