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COSRX vs The INKEY List

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

COSRX and The INKEY List are popular skincare brands that offer serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, masks, and eye products. The first brand is a Korean company founded in 2013 that features hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best, while the second brand is a British company founded in 2018 that centers on glycerin to suit sensitive and combination skin best. Both brands provide targeted formulations for specific concerns, yet differ in their distinct ingredient profiles and geographic origins.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

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

Popular COSRX vs The INKEY List products

People Say

COSRXThe INKEY List
  • Deep hydration and moisturization 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”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
  • Texture improvement and smoothing Often 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”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Never tight or stripped — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
  • Value for money Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “huge bottle — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
  • Acne and pore control Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
  • Packaging issues and small size Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “tube cracked on the side — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
  • Unpleasant texture and sticky finish 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”
    • “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Leaves a greasy film on face after washing — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or The INKEY List: which is better?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List provide equal routine fit levels across most skin types, but COSRX achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and The INKEY List?

COSRX and The INKEY List both offer high routine fit across most skin types, but COSRX is a Superior fit for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin while The INKEY List is a High fit for those types. COSRX also does better for texture improvement and acne control, whereas The INKEY List offers better value for money.

COSRX or The INKEY List for dry skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List fit dry skin well, offering a High routine fit level on this page. COSRX also features targeted options like its Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser which rates as Superior for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid, found across the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

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

COSRX or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List offer effective cleansers for different skin types, with COSRX achieving a Superior fit for acne-prone, oily acne-prone, and dry sensitive skin using cleansers like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser. Meanwhile, The INKEY List provides strong options like the Salicylic Acid Cleanser, which has a High fit for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or The INKEY List?

The INKEY List does better than COSRX for value for money and offers affordable moisturizers and serums. COSRX has better texture improvement and smoothing, but The INKEY List is the more affordable option.

COSRX or The INKEY List: which brand is better for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin, holding a Superior Lovi fit level compared to The INKEY List's High fit level.

COSRX or The INKEY List: which brand has better options for fragrance-free products?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List offer extensive fragrance-free selections, as nearly every product across the products on this page lists no fragrance. COSRX includes fragrance in only one listed sunscreen, whereas The INKEY List features entirely fragrance-free formulations.

COSRX or The INKEY List: which brand is better for managing skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List provide a High Lovi fit for managing skin with dark spots. COSRX features key brightening ingredients such as Niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or The INKEY List for oily skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List fit oily skin at a High level on Lovi. COSRX features key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help manage excess oil and hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for most skin types, so neither brand is universally better. COSRX products on this page frequently feature ingredients like snail mucin and glycerin, while The INKEY List focuses heavily on glycerin across its moisturizing formulas.

COSRX or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and The INKEY List fit sensitive skin at a High level on Lovi. COSRX features products like Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence with a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while The INKEY List offers fragrance-free formulations across its range.

COSRX or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas The INKEY List has a High routine fit. COSRX products on this page help with effective acne control and clearing.

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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