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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 skincare brands offering thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and more. The Korean skincare brand COSRX relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best, while Olay utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to suit dry and acne-prone skin best. While both brands harness powerful ingredients to improve hydration, aging, and blemishes, the brand founded in 2013 focuses on targeted blemish solutions, whereas the other features deeply nourishing formulations.

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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Olay: which is better?

COSRX stands out for acne and oil control where Lovi rates its routine as Superior, while Olay excels in deep hydration and anti-aging with a Superior fit for mature and dry skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Olay?

COSRX excels for acne-prone skin with superior oil control and gentle formulas, while Olay offers superior anti-aging hydration and brightening effects for mature and dry skin. Both brands provide high-quality routines for combination skin.

COSRX or Olay for dry skin?

For dry skin, Olay has a Superior routine fit while COSRX achieves a High routine fit on the products on this page. Olay does better for deep hydration and moisturization, whereas COSRX offers a gentle and non-stripping formula.

COSRX or Olay: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for gentle cleansing, offering products on this page like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser which is rated Superior for sensitive skin, while Olay's cleansers often receive lower fit ratings.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Olay?

This page does not provide pricing information for 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 Lovi fit level across their product ranges. Reviewers mention that COSRX excels in acne, blackhead, and oil control, while Olay is noted for delivering lightweight feel, fast absorption, and deep hydration.

COSRX or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer a range of moisturizers with strong hydrating benefits, but they cater best to different needs. Lovi rates the Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream as a Superior fit for dry and sensitive skin, while COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence achieves a Superior fit for dry, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin types.

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

COSRX or Olay for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Olay has a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas COSRX has a High Lovi fit level. Olay features intense hydration and a lightweight feel, while COSRX is often noted for a gentle, non-stripping, and non-irritating formula.

COSRX or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX is better for sunscreen because the products on this page for acne-prone skin have a Superior Lovi fit. Olay has only one sunscreen listed on this page, which has an Average Lovi fit for dry skin and dry sensitive skin.

COSRX or Olay for acne-prone skin?

COSRX has a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, while Olay also has a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. COSRX products help provide effective acne control and clearing, and niacinamide in both brands may help improve skin condition.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Olay for mature skin?

For mature skin, Olay has a Superior routine fit, while COSRX has a High routine fit on this page. Olay excels in this category with multiple products like the Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream achieving a Superior fit for mature skin.

COSRX or Olay for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, Olay achieves a Superior fit level for the products on this page, whereas COSRX reaches a High level. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Olay for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, COSRX has a High Lovi fit level and Olay has a High fit level. Both brands offer products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that help provide deep hydration.

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

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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