🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

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 thoughtfully formulated skincare brands offering cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and more, enriched with key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin. The Korean brand COSRX, founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024, harnesses hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide in its products, which suit oily acne-prone skin best through targeted blemish care. Meanwhile, Olay features nourishing niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best. While both brands share core hydrating components, they differ in their specific heritage and specialized selections for concerns like dark spots and mature skin.

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

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 690.19 · 83% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,177.59 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 843.29 · 90% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,429.16 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 735.92 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,320.33 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Olay: which is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin types, where Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior. Olay provides deeper hydration and faster absorption, while COSRX offers gentler, non-irritating formulas with effective acne and oil control.

What is the difference between COSRX and Olay?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific, while Olay was founded in 1952 and is owned by Procter & Gamble. COSRX fits best for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and oily skin, whereas Olay fits best for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and oily skin.

COSRX or Olay for dry skin?

COSRX is a better fit for dry skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Olay's Average fit level. COSRX helps deliver deep hydration and moisture through products on this page like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, which has a Superior fit for dry skin.

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

COSRX or Olay: which cleanser is better?

COSRX offers a better cleanser selection on this page, with products such as the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser providing a Superior fit for sensitive skin and dry skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Olay?

The products on this page do not list pricing information, so a comparison of affordability cannot be made from these details.

COSRX or Olay: which brand is better for tackling acne and blackheads?

COSRX is better for tackling acne and blackheads, as the products on this page provide superior acne and oil control compared to Olay. The brand-focused routine for acne-prone skin has a Superior fit level.

COSRX or Olay: how do their fragrance offerings compare across products?

COSRX and Olay are very similar in their fragrance offerings, as nearly all products on both pages list no fragrance. Specifically, 37 of the 38 COSRX products and 26 of the 27 Olay products are fragrance-free. Only a single product on each page contains fragrance.

COSRX or Olay: which brand performs better for deep hydration and moisturization?

Olay performs better for deep hydration and moisturization as reviewers frequently note its intense hydration. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

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

COSRX or Olay for oily skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily skin, whereas Olay has a High fit level. Reviewers mention that COSRX is better for acne, blackhead, and oil control, while Olay offers more lightweight and fast absorption.

COSRX or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer effective moisturizers, but COSRX is a better fit for dry and sensitive skin while Olay excels in deep hydration and anti-aging. COSRX fits dry skin at a High level and sensitive skin at a Superior level, whereas Olay provides intense moisturization with ingredients like peptides and niacinamide.

COSRX or Olay for sensitive skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while Olay has a High fit level. COSRX reviewers frequently note that the products on this page are gentle and non-irritating.

COSRX or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer sunscreens with High Lovi fit levels across nearly all skin types, including dry, oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. COSRX features options like the Aloe Soothing Sun Cream, while Olay provides choices such as the Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25.

COSRX or Olay for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior compared to Olay's High level. The products on this page help provide 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?

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