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COSRX vs Elemis

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

COSRX and Elemis are two celebrated skincare brands founded in South Korea and Britain, respectively. Both offer thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, and cleansers, though the former harnesses ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the latter utilizes glycerin and shea butter. The Korean brand suits acne-prone and oily skin best with targeted formulations for blemishes, whereas the British brand caters to mature, dry, and sensitive skin through deeply conditioning components. They differ distinctly in their heritages, founding eras, and primary ingredient philosophies.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular COSRX vs Elemis products

People Say

COSRXElemis
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Soothing and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Texture and glow improvements 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”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • 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”
    • “face feels super clean — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Spa-like and pleasant scents Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Value and price concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Unpleasant scents 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)”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Elemis: which is better?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for most skin types, but COSRX is a Superior fit for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin. COSRX also tends to be gentler and more effective for acne control, whereas Elemis offers lighter absorption and more spa-like scents.

What is the difference between COSRX and Elemis?

COSRX is best suited for acne-prone, oily acne-prone, and oily skin, while Elemis fits mature skin, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots best. Reviewers note that COSRX provides soothing and gentle formulations as well as effective acne and pore control, whereas Elemis offers lightweight absorption and spa-like, pleasant scents.

COSRX or Elemis for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Elemis match dry skin at a High level on this page. COSRX helps with lightweight hydration through snail mucin and hyaluronic acid, while Elemis offers richer, luxurious moisturizing formulas like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin, while Elemis offers a more luxurious experience. For instance, the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin, whereas the Elemis Superfood Facial Wash has an Average fit for the same skin type.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Elemis?

Elemis has a high price point while COSRX has value and price concerns, meaning both brands face affordability considerations on this page.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, COSRX or Elemis?

COSRX has more fragrance-free products on this page, with 37 out of 38 products listing no fragrance compared to only 4 out of 22 products for Elemis.

COSRX or Elemis for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Elemis have a High routine fit level for oily skin. COSRX fits best for oily skin by its brand-focused routines, while Elemis offers lightweight moisturizers.

COSRX or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Elemis offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX being best suited for oily and acne-prone skin while Elemis excels in mature and dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that COSRX moisturizers provide lightweight absorption and deep hydration, whereas Elemis moisturizers are noted for their hydrating and luxurious textures.

COSRX or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Elemis are good for sensitive skin, with Lovi giving both brands a High fit level for this skin type. COSRX tends to do better for soothing and gentle formulation, while Elemis is often noted for having a strong fragrance.

COSRX or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is a better fit than Elemis for acne-prone skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis's High fit on this page.

COSRX or Elemis for mature skin?

Both COSRX and Elemis are great options for mature skin, achieving a High fit level across their routines on this page. Reviewers report that COSRX helps with gentle hydration, while Elemis is noted for providing hydrating moisturizers and a radiant glow.

COSRX or Elemis for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Elemis are good for skin with dark spots, achieving a High Lovi fit level. Niacinamide helps control pigmentation, and the products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients that may improve skin appearance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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