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COSRX vs Medik8

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

COSRX and Medik8 are established skincare brands offering thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners. The Korean brand harnesses proven ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, suiting acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best, while the British brand builds its products around hyaluronic acid to suit dry and dry sensitive skin best. While both utilize powerful hydrating components, the brands differ in their founding origins, parent companies, and primary skin-type suitability.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Medik8 products

People Say

COSRXMedik8
  • Soothing, calming and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Improves skin texture and glow Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Deep hydration and plumping 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”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
  • 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”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Additional beneficial features Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “removes all the oil — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “softened crow's feet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
  • 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”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • Slow or no visible results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · SAR 1,617.50 · 95% fitBuy COSRX routine · SAR 690.19 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 843.29 · 90% fitBuy Medik8 routine · SAR 1,762.13 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · SAR 1,871.14 · 93% fitBuy COSRX routine · SAR 735.92 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Medik8: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options, but COSRX is better suited for oily and acne-prone skin while Medik8 fits dry and combination skin better. COSRX also tends to be more affordable, whereas Medik8 is known for its luxurious textures and brightening effects.

What is the difference between COSRX and Medik8?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 that fits best for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and oily skin, whereas Medik8 is a British brand founded in 2009 that fits best for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and combination skin.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine compared to COSRX which has a High fit. Medik8 helps deliver deep hydration and plumping, while the products on this page feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to support skin quality.

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

COSRX or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

COSRX and Medik8 both offer cleansers tailored to different skin needs, with COSRX focusing more on acne and pore control while Medik8 excels in surface radiance. The COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieves a Superior fit for dry and sensitive skin types, whereas the Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse is a Superior fit for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX is more affordable, whereas Medik8 has a high price point. The products on this page for COSRX generally feature lower prices compared to Medik8's luxury positioning.

Between COSRX and Medik8, which brand offers better options for combination skin?

Medik8 offers superior options for combination skin compared to COSRX, which has a high fit for this skin type. Medik8 features products that help improve skin texture and provide deep hydration.

How do the founding years and current corporate ownership of COSRX and Medik8 compare?

COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013 and is owned by Amorepacific Group, whereas Medik8 was founded in the United Kingdom in 2009 and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe.

Which brand performs better for acne and pore control according to review themes?

COSRX performs better for acne and pore control according to review themes.

COSRX or Medik8 for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi finds COSRX to have a Superior routine fit compared to a High fit for Medik8. COSRX helps with acne and pore control, whereas Medik8 does not excel in that category.

COSRX or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers on this page, COSRX fits dry skin at a High level and Medik8 fits dry skin at a Superior level. Medik8 provides deep hydration and plumping with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps support skin quality and signs of aging.

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

COSRX or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 achieve a Superior fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. COSRX features gentle formulations with snail mucin and centella asiatica, while Medik8 provides soothing, non-irritating serums.

COSRX or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 have a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, with COSRX offering better results specifically for acne and pore control. COSRX features a broader range of products dedicated to acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin types.

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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