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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 hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the latter is lovingly chosen for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin. Both brands suit acne-prone skin best because their targeted formulations address specific blemishes effectively. They differ in their origins and specific product lineups, with the Korean brand also suiting oily acne-prone skin and the British brand suiting oily skin.

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

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 690.19 · 83% fitBuy Simple routine · SAR 891.11 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 843.29 · 90% fitBuy Simple routine · SAR 1,151.23 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 735.92 · 89% fitBuy Simple routine · SAR 983.37 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Simple: which is better?

COSRX is better for texture and acne control, while Simple is better for value and soothing care. Both brands offer equal levels of hydration and routine fit for dry skin, combination skin, mature skin, and skin with dark spots.

What is the difference between COSRX and Simple?

COSRX outperforms Simple for acne and pore control as well as texture and glow, while Simple wins on soothing and gentle care as well as value and convenience. For overall skin types like oily skin and sensitive skin, Lovi rates COSRX as Superior and Simple as High.

COSRX or Simple for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Simple offer a High routine fit level for dry skin. COSRX helps provide deep hydration and moisturization with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol, while Simple features lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

COSRX or Simple: which cleanser is better?

COSRX has the better cleanser options on this page, with the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser earning a Superior fit for sensitive, acne-prone, dry, and dry sensitive skin. Simple's Cleanser has a low fit for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, offering value-friendly moisturizers and budget makeup removers across the products on this page.

COSRX or Simple: which brand offers better fragrance-free options?

Simple offers better fragrance-free options because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas COSRX includes fragrance in one of its products on this page.

COSRX or Simple: how do their company origins and ownership compare?

COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013 and has been owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024. Simple was founded in the United Kingdom in 1960 and is owned by Unilever PLC.

COSRX or Simple: which brand performs better for soothing and gentle care?

Simple performs better for soothing and gentle care compared to COSRX. Simple is noted for soothing and gentle care across its products on this page.

COSRX or Simple for oily skin?

COSRX is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Simple. COSRX also excels specifically in acne and pore control for the products on this page.

COSRX or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for texture, glow, acne, and pore control among moisturizers on this page, while Simple offers better value and convenience. Both brands provide equal hydration and moisture with ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide that help improve skin quality.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or Simple for sensitive skin?

Lovi finds COSRX to be Superior and Simple to be High for sensitive skin. COSRX offers products like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser which is rated Superior for sensitive skin.

COSRX or Simple for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, COSRX is superior to Simple. Lovi rates COSRX as having a superior fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Simple holds a high fit. COSRX also does better on acne and pore control across the products on this page.

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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