🇳🇱Netherlands

COSRX vs Simple

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

COSRX and Simple are a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and a British skincare brand founded in 1960, respectively. Skincare enthusiasts adore the former for its thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which harness proven ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the latter is beloved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin. Products from the Korean brand suit acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin best, whereas the British brand suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. They differ because the former utilizes hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to address specific blemishes effectively, while the latter relies on gentle formulations with niacinamide and glycerin.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular COSRX vs Simple products

People Say

COSRXSimple
  • Soothing and Gentle Care Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Texture and Glow 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)”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture 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”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Value and Convenience Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “No need to rinse... perfect for traveling or lazy nights. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “fine mist spray — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
  • 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”
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Drying or Insufficient Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “need to apply multiple layers — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Unpleasant Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “feels like a film — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
  • Formulation and Performance Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “weird smell — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “pH is 9 — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “runs with sweat — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Packaging and Size Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Simple: which is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Simple reaches a High fit level for those skin types. Reviewers note that COSRX does better for texture and glow as well as acne and pore control, while Simple does better for soothing and gentle care and value and convenience.

What is the difference between COSRX and Simple?

COSRX excels at texture and glow, as well as acne and pore control, while Simple focuses on soothing, gentle care with great value and convenience. Both brands provide fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

COSRX or Simple for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit for dry skin. COSRX features targeted dry-skin options like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence with a Superior Lovi fit level.

COSRX or Simple: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for cleansers on this page, as its cleansers like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser offer superior or high Lovi fit levels across most skin types. Simple offers fewer cleanser options, and its Refreshing Facial Wash has lower fit levels for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers. COSRX reviewers sometimes note small bottle size or quantity issues.

COSRX or Simple for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Lovi rates COSRX as a Superior fit specifically for oily acne-prone skin, while Simple products on this page are fragrance-free and feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin.

COSRX or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers a wider range of moisturizers with specialized formulas like snail mucin and various serums, whereas Simple focuses on straightforward, value-friendly options. Lovi rates COSRX moisturizers as Superior for many skin types, while Simple moisturizers generally receive Average fit levels.

COSRX or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. COSRX provides many fragrance-free products with gentle ingredients like snail mucin and centella asiatica, while Simple focuses on budget-friendly, fragrance-free cleansers and makeup removers.

COSRX or Simple for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is a better fit for acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Simple.

COSRX or Simple for mature skin?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit for mature skin. COSRX features a broader range of specialized treatments, while Simple provides gentle, value-friendly basics for daily cleansing and hydration.

COSRX or Simple for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit for skin with dark spots. Niacinamide, a key ingredient featured across the products on this page, may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin. COSRX features standout options like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser which is rated Superior for dry sensitive 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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play