🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

COSRX vs Clarins

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

COSRX and Clarins are two distinct skincare lines established respectively in 2013 and 1954. COSRX is celebrated for its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, suiting acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best through targeted formulations. Meanwhile, the French brand is loved for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with shea and squalane, which suit sensitive and dry sensitive skin best because of their gentle and nourishing nature. Ultimately, both differ as the former relies on science-driven components for specific blemishes, whereas the latter utilizes botanical elements for soothing and firming care.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Clarins products

People Say

COSRXClarins
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Skin texture improvement and smoothness 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”
    • “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Effective 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”
    • “doesn't make me greasy — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Luxurious texture Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “Creamy texture feels luxurious upon application — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “feels like silk — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Scent and fragrance issues 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)”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • High price and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Ineffective or slow 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 see a lift — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “no change in circles — Clarins Double Serum Eye”

COSRX vs Clarins routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 690.19 · 83% fitBuy Clarins routine · SAR 1,448.55 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Clarins routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 843.29 · 90% fitBuy Clarins routine · SAR 1,548.77 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Clarins routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 735.92 · 89% fitBuy Clarins routine · SAR 1,389.25 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Clarins: which is better?

COSRX stands out as better for oily and acne-prone skin types, while both brands offer strong options for mature skin and dark spots. COSRX helps deliver effective acne control and skin texture improvement with mostly fragrance-free formulas, whereas Clarins is often noted for luxurious textures and rich hydration despite containing fragrance in most products.

What is the difference between COSRX and Clarins?

COSRX is an affordable Korean brand focusing on acne control and lightweight hydration, whereas Clarins is a French luxury brand centered on anti-aging and rich moisturization. COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily and acne-prone skin, while Clarins is better suited for mature and dry skin types.

COSRX or Clarins for dry skin?

COSRX is a better fit for dry skin than Clarins, as Lovi rates the COSRX routine as High and the Clarins routine as Average. Both brands feature helpful ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which assist in hydration and moisture retention.

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

COSRX or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for cleansers on this page, as it offers a superior fit for acne-prone, oily acne-prone, and sensitive skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Clarins?

Clarins is often noted by reviewers for having a high price point, whereas COSRX faces fewer affordability concerns.

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

COSRX has more fragrance-free products than Clarins, as 37 of its 38 products on the page list no fragrance, compared to only 1 out of 24 for Clarins.

COSRX or Clarins for oily skin?

COSRX is a superior fit for oily skin, whereas Clarins is an average fit. COSRX features targeted acne and pore control, while the products on this page for Clarins tend to be heavier.

COSRX or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for dry skin and oily skin routines, where Lovi fit levels reach High and Superior compared to Clarins' Average. Both brands offer products with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which help deliver deep hydration and moisture.

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

COSRX or Clarins for sensitive skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while Clarins has a High routine fit. COSRX is mostly fragrance-free with 37 of 38 products listing no fragrance, whereas 23 of 24 Clarins products contain fragrance.

COSRX or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is a superior fit for acne-prone skin compared to Clarins, which has a high fit. COSRX features targeted formulations that help control acne and clear pores effectively.

COSRX or Clarins for mature skin?

Both COSRX and Clarins are a High fit for mature skin. COSRX features a routine fit level of High, while Clarins also reaches a High fit level for this skin type.

COSRX or Clarins for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Clarins achieve a High level fit for skin with dark spots. COSRX features key ingredients like niacinamide, which may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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